Designate A Day
November 18, 2009 by Marci
photo from Cornell University Library
I couldn’t resist this old photo (1920′s) of a woman showing correct posture while doing housework.
Many times, I have talked about how important daily routines are to keeping the busyness out of your day. Routines ensure you complete what needs to get done before the events of the day steal your time. In our house, we have morning routines and bedtime routines. Everyone knows what the routine is, so there is no harping on everyone to get their teeth brushed or bed made. Its part of the routine.
Those daily routines are important, but what about weekly routines? Growing up, my grandma had days designated for certain duties. For instance, she had a laundry day, a ironing day, a baking day, an errand day. I used to think that was crazy. Over the years I have seen the wisdom in her system. If you break down your work/responsibilities into bite-sized pieces, the stress of getting it all done at once is gone. I used to have that running around like a chicken with my head cut off feeling (some days I still do!). I would run frantically from task to task only getting half of what I needed to do. Now, instead of running a quick errand in the middle of the day, interrupting my other responsibilities, I know I can save it for errand day. And, I now don’t miss any bills because they get paid on paperwork day.
It is a brilliantly simply system. It is just another way to overcome busy.
Do you have designated days to get things done? How’s it working for you?
Comments (5)
My only designated day so far is Monday, which is grocery shopping day. That works really well for us so that we just go shopping once and don’t have to go back again for the rest of the week. I would like to have other days designated, but just haven’t come up with a good system for that yet. I work on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays so it is tough to really expect to get a whole lot done those evenings. That leaves Fridays, which I usually like to have some fun time with my son. I could designate some tasks to Fridays though. Thanks for getting me thinking!
I have broken down all my housework & each ‘section’ has a designated day – Monday vacuum carpets, Tuesday kitchen (what ever needs doing most) & wash tea towels, Wednesday bathroom & wash towels, Thursday dusting & clean sheets, Friday vacuum & mop, Saturday kids rooms & make sure all washing is put away.
I also have daily tasks for all the family hubby to empty bins, 6 yr old to empty dishwasher, me a load of washing & everyone to clean up at the end of the day.
This system works well because if you get super busy with other stuff or aren’t well then it doesn’t matter if it gets done because it’ll get done next week!
YES I do have designated days. I’ve done chores/tasks/special outtings like this for several years and I LOVE knowing what to expect week in/week out and not feeling overwhealmed.
Here’s my weekly ‘routine’
http://1wonderwomanwannabe.blogspot.com/2009/09/redeeming-our-time-series-finale.html
Monday straighten up generally and clean kitchen, Tuesday dust. Wednesday floors, Thursday bathrooms, Friday errands and entrances and tidy up all over. Laundry daily with bedding on Thursday.
I also have lists for each of my 2 home business.
I’m afraid I’m not that organized, though I’m working on it. I tend to plan out my week as it comes, but I think a little more routine would be helpful. This is great advice.