ORGANIZING HOUSEWORK

ORGANIZING HOUSEWORK;

Make it a habit to return evething in its proper place and remind others to do so. If you do this daily, it takes less time than waiting until the situation is out of control. An even bigger bonus is that you needn't spend time looking for out of place items or objects. Do small chores as their need occurs so thatthey occupy little time. For example, laundry left until the weekend can consume the weekend; instead, start a load before breakfast, put it in the dryer after breakfast, and its done. In planning the week's chores, try to set aside a free day (or at least a few hours) for yourself to do whatever you want--whether its a day out of the house or time alone to finish that book you started several months ago. Use labor saving gadgets or appliances whenever they'll really save time. But don't overdo it-- chopping an onion with a knife may take no longer than using a food processor or then having to take the machine apart and wash and dry it. Leave some slack in your day for surprises, interruptions, or emergencies. Some activities will take longer than expected, no matter how carefully you plan or allow for delays.

Think before you act--even before you do routine jobs. The way you perform simple, basic tasks is usually the resulf of a habit, not logic. There may be a better way.

Why does a half-hour job often take twice as long as you thought it would? Probably because you estimated only the actual working time and didn't take into account the preparation--getting out and putting away tools, for instance. Tackel big tasks a bit at a time. Straightening every closet in the house might take days; one closet especially one that hasn't gotten to cluttered, may take no longer than 15 or 20 minutes.