Yesterday, I took everything off of the counter and put it on my center island with the intentions “decluttering diva style”. I even took a picture of the mess! After taking a photo, my body went into funk mode—I don’t wanna mode! So, I remembered the lessons from flylady at www.flylady.net as well as the tips from my own personal organizer, Sylvia McClintock at www.tamethechaos.com. Both of these fabulous ladies talk about the power of fifteen minutes.
Everything from the various kitchen counters put on the island!
The idea is that you can do ANYTHING for 15 minutes! For me, the key is using a timer! I love the time cube from Sylvia McClintock but you can use an egg timer, your cell phone alarm, the timer on your oven or anything that will buzz or ring at you when the time is up! I set the timer for 15 minutes and grit my teeth and stay on task until the timer goes off without getting distracted. (Not has hard as you think when you know the timer is going to go off and then you are finished!) When the timer goes off, I assess what I have accomplished. Usually, I will either have completed the whole of the task with time to spare and a little motivation to keep going for a little while longer if I have not. However, since I am sooo easily distracted, I try to make myself STOP when the timer goes off and schedule another time to finish the job. I tend to be a DIVA who will be late for appointments because I tried to get just one more thing accomplished. That is why I have started using the time cube or setting my blackberry when surfing the net and getting ready in the morning—I will piddle around like I don’t have anywhere to be and then wonder what happened to the time!
Yes Divas there is a lot of power in 15 minutes! I am beginning to learn that it is the little things that we do daily that make the difference—especially when we are not really feelin’ it! Galatians 6:9 says this: Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Don’t give up Divas; see what you can get done in 15 minutes today!
Take a look at my Powerful 15 minutes:
All Sorted (about 7 minutes left)
All Done with 30 seconds to spare!
Shut your mouth!! I need to do this! I am a “stacker” and then my stacks get out of control and in a rush of “cleaning,” I pile my stacks somewhere else all together and then they are never sorted through. In my head, in the moment it all makes perfect sense, and then when I can't find that important piece of paper, or that coupon I have been waiting to use, I am mad and stomping around, I know, really mature… so, I say all that to say… I need a power 15!
I always remember how we'd turn up the music in our dorm room and “play clean up” to get things back in order. Oh, I miss those days with you. You are such a rock for me in so many ways. I look forward to this blog!
I will try this with the music on of course! Thank you for setting up this blog! Love you!
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the FlyLady!! She is the only way I was able to start making sense of housework….post becoming a Mommy. I still struggle with Flying but, I get the hang of it majority of the time. My issue is the moment I pick up, the little one messes up. Add that to not getting any me time except between 6am and 7am when I am spending time with God, I lose motivation because I never get a chance to recharge and relax. Love bein a SAHM but, wishes my lovely husband gave me a break more often. I definitely want to eventually get that book by Sylvia. LOVE your island/counters!!
Wow, nice work. This blog is so cool, I am going to look around more. PS I am a new follower:O)
Have a great Tuesday!
I like your blog. I loved reading this post. I am a stacker and I need to manage my piles better. i think I am going to use the power of 15 minutes. Now let's hope my children will let me finish the task before interrupting;)