How I’m Using the “Stops” in My Day to Be More Productive around the Home

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By the afternoon each day, I’m beat.

A morning filled with rising early, writing and blogging from 5:30-8:30 (my husband fields the kids to give me that time), and then caring for children, running errands, seeing friends, and doing housework from 8:30-2:30 depletes my energy completely.

When afternoon rolls around, and each of my children are safely deposited in their respective rooms for naps or quiet play time, all I want to do is sit down, sip a cup of tea, and rest.

However, this is also an ideal time to tidy up the house, which typically has quite a few unfinished edges at this point, despite whatever work I’ve been doing all morning.

Now is when I can get it all put back together without gleeful “baby rampage” following behind me undoing it all.

Now is when I can add peace to my rest-time by dealing with the mess, rather than having it stare me down while I attempt to ignore it for the next hour.

Soon it’ll be time to make dinner, and just as dinner preparation finishes, I’ll hear the garage door open and my husband will blow in from a day’s work. I know I want a decent semblance of order when that happens, because that blesses him. And sometimes he comes home early, depending on his week. I never know in advance, so it makes sense to do my tidying sooner than later, lest I have no other opportunity.

But it’s hard to feel motivated when I’m so ready for a break.

So, I created a fun little routine for myself that I love. It inspires me clean and tidy for just a few minutes after my kids are down for the afternoon. That little bit of tidying relieves such a burden!

I make myself a cup of tea. 

And while it’s brewing and steeping, I tidy the kitchen rather than sit down (collapse?) at the computer, as I normally would, to check Facebook.

However, as soon as my tea is done, I’m “free” to RELAX.

The process of making my tea takes only about 6 or 7 minutes.

This simple little routine has several benefits:

• Because I’m pleased and excited about my tea, my spirits are up and there’s a slight bounce added to my step.
• Because my laboring has a very short time limit, I don’t mind doing it nearly so much. Seven minutes feels distinctly doable.
• Because I am racing the clock (or tea kettle in this case), I get a lot done in those few minutes! I want to feel a sense of accomplishment and peace when my tea is ready to enjoy.
• Because my tea needs attention through out the process (turn off the stove, pour, start the bag steeping, cream and sugar), it is efficient to hang around the kitchen anyway.
• Because tea is elegant, I want a nice setting in which to enjoy it! (extra motivation)
• SIDE HEALTH BENEFIT: Drinking tea in the afternoon helps me not to snack as much!

Really, a few minutes are all that’s needed to get my kitchen and surrounding area back in order most afternoons. Either way, these few minutes are at least enough to make a dent in the job and get me in a better position for the rest of my day.

Sometimes, it just takes getting started.

I want to challenge you to notice those times when you find yourself standing around and waiting, and leverage them!

• Perhaps when something is microwaving for a minute, you will commit to finding a small job and doing it!
• Perhaps while your children are splashing around in the bathtub (if they need you in the room for safety, but not necessarily helping them), you will commit to cleaning the mirror or scrubbing the toilet.
• Perhaps while your coffee is brewing in the morning, you will commit to unloading a few dishes.

For some of you, this way of acting comes naturally. For others of us, we need a little prompting!

Idleness is good for neither resting nor working, and when we work harder and more diligently, we can also rest harder and more peacefully. Win-Win-Win!

 

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Do you ever wonder how some women make running a home look so natural?

I certainly have!

However, after many years of watching my friends who do this well, and after much trial and error, I’ve boiled it all down to 3 essential daily habits. With these 3 habits in place, a home can function pretty well! Without them, it will be perpetual catchup.

While I used to feel like a failure as a homemaker, I know feel a sense of success and satisfaction.

I’d love to share these 3 simple (secret) daily habits with you. If you focus your energy into establishing them, I believe you will achieve the same breakthrough in your homemaking that I did.

Can I share my secrets with you?

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