Cleaning with a timer is wonderful. When I am having one of those days where I just know that it's going to be difficult to get anything done, I just set my timer for five minutes and clean with abandon. When the timer beeps, I stop. Even in the middle of sweeping the floor, changing the cat box, loading the dishwasher, whathaveyou, I stop.
Then I set the timer for 25 minutes and do whatever I want to do. Some of the time I work on my photos, some of the time I watch a quick online show with the kids, some of the time I read a magazine (25 minutes is not conducive to getting involved in a real book), but most of the time I just sit and stare into space. Because it's 'one of those days', right? I get interrupted a lot to change a diaper/get a bike down/make a meal, but that's okay (that's my job, after all). Timer beeps; I reset it for 5 minutes; lather, rinse, repeat.
This actually happened while I spent 5/6 of my
time yesterday staring into space.
time yesterday staring into space.
Five minutes doesn't sound like very much, but I have learned I can actually get a LOT done in five minutes. A big job that seems like it will take hours in all reality only takes 30 or so real minutes when it's all added up. That reality doesn't hit me from the start, though; I have to break it down into my 5/25 plan or it really does seem to me that it will take hours of hard labor. Five minutes? Pshaw, I can do anything for five minutes!
Anything, like cleaning up a kitchen! This only took me
about five five-minute sessions.
about five five-minute sessions.
I am very dependent on my timer. I have gotten the girls quite dependent on it as well. They won't clean their room together anymore; they expect to take turns in five-minute bursts, the electronic calling a welcome reprieve to hand off the job to the next sister. Guess what? No more fights about cleaning their room. They, too, have embraced the idea that they can do anything for five minutes.
This sounds all very strange to some of you. Why can't I just clean up when there is a mess and be done with it? To this I say go re-read my entry yesterday; it's all about a forest and some trees and a brain that works in odd little ways like having to make a list before anything can be accomplished...
Nice work! Off to go set my timer for 15 minutes to get my dishes done or at least started! I don't think I am brave enough to take before and afters of my kitchen! Zach and I will set the timer for 45 at night or on weekends and it is amazing what the two of us can do in 45! I am getting excited to go start my timer! Thanks!
ReplyDeletewhat a good idea. i have a hard time getting motivated to clean, even to do stuff that i know will take no time at all, like sweeping the kitchen floor. the only way i ever get anything done is tackling one tiny thing at a time.
ReplyDeletelooks great! you guys have such a cute place :) i get overwhelmed when things are "too" big and shut down too- so i'm a NUT about putting EVERYTHING away immediately when done with it to avoid "system failure" as much as possible!
ReplyDeleteMegan
You just converted another "timer cleaner". Very impressive.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea!
ReplyDeleteI know I'm reading this WAY late, but I smiled because, on good days, that's what we do, too! We even have a "ten minute family clean" where everyone has to clean as hard as they can for just ten minutes... and then we all stop. Period. I'm always still amazed at what a grand difference ten minutes make.
ReplyDelete