Here is an example:
30/10 Rule
For 30 minutes, work on something that you need to get done. Set a TIMER!
When you hear the buzzer, do something fun, like check your email, or read a fun blog, or whatever! For 10 minutes.
Repeat cycle!
I read about it first on www.zenhabits.net -- a great resource for simplifying your life in easy ways!
You could use any duration -- the idea is to get started. You could do 5 minutes of work, then 5 minutes of play. Often find getting started is the hardest part!
This trick is helpful for EXERCISE too! Just get yourself out the door, or into your exercise clothes, and soon you will be on your way!
I got my dishes cleaned, laundry folded, and some Christmas decorations taken down (spring decorations up would be more appropriate now!), ALL BEFORE 10am! Wahoo!
The Zen Habit's guy lead me to another great blog/site/person called the FLYLady (www.flylady.com) who has lots of great suggestions. She can help you make lasting habits in your life -- be more organized and calm :)
Here are some MORE IDEAS that I have been putting into action from zenhabits.net and flylady.com. Apparently lots of people think it's a helpful post, since it is one of my most popular! Hope you can get something out of it!
COMMENTS: Do you ever use a timer? What do you want to get done with a timer? I have a basement that I want to tackle! And there is always lots to do with this blog!
Zen Habits is a great resource for simplifying your life in easy ways! The Zen Habit's guy led me to another great blog/site/person called the FLYLady who has lots of great suggestions. She can help you make lasting habits in your life -- be more organized and calm :)
Here are some more ideas that I have been putting into action from the above sites:
2) MITs -- Most Important Things -- really it's just about prioritizing, and this new wording appeals to me :)
Also, I like the idea of picking just 3 things. It seems doable to get just 3 things done each day. Finishing 3 things provides a motivating sense of ACCOMPLISHMENT!
Choosing which 1-3 things you really need to get done, SIMPLIFIES your daily plan. If you finish your MITs, then you can get another task done ahead of time!
Thank you zenhabits :)
3) HOT SPOTS -- these are areas of clutter or messiness, which attracts more clutter or messiness, if left to grow. Examples in my house are the kitchen counter and the basement.
Taking a few minutes per day to chip away at a big mess can have a surprisingly BIG EFFECT. Once you have cleared a hot spot, you can keep it tame with just a little daily effort, a few minutes of attention per day.
Thank you FLYLady :)
4) One project that I have been working on is CLEARING out my email INBOX. What a relief to see that number continue to decrease! Once you have it under control, respond to emails quickly, and delete, delete, delete! (zenhabits.net discusses this with special notes regarding gmail)
5) Try filling a trash big with things in your home to THROW away. Keep going until you've found 27 items. Get them out to the garbage can in your garage, so you won't be tempted to salvage.
You can do something similar to clear your house of items you would like to DONATE or SELL. Thank you FLYLady.com :)
6) Kitchen sink -- thanks to the flylady, I have been keeping my kitchen sink clear, for a few days now. It is SATISFYING each time I see that empty sink, as well as when it only takes a few minutes after a meal to have the sink all clean and clear once again!
7) FLYLady chooses a room per week, and an area or zone per month, or some similar organization, to help you keep getting your home and life more and more organized and clutter-free! You can sign up to get daily emails to help you do this one step at a time (www.flylady.com).
8) Routines -- more here.
9) LOGGING your time -- this is effective for just about every area of your life, from exercise to eating, drinking, and sleeping, and here, productivity. Try logging how you spend your time for just a day, and see where you could spend less time, and where that extra time could be spent more productively!
10) Limiting INTERNET use. This you may find upon completing suggestion #9. I know I can get A HUGE amount of work done, if I just keep my lap top closed for an hour, day, etc. You be the judge. Any change can help! Decreasing your Internet/TV activity by any amount can supply you with that valuable treasure that everyone wants -- TIME!
Happy organizing, and take 2 MINUTES now to de-clutter a HOT SPOT -- I promise you will be rewarded with a great feeling from just 2 minutes of effort!
TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK: What tricks help you organize your life or home?
