THL SECTION: C2O WITH KAREN HENKE: ARTICLES:
Just Do It!

Just Do It!
by Karen Henke

The Nike people have it right: Just Do it! Here is a list of household chores that need daily maintenance. Simple jobs remain simple if you do them every day. If you delay, they become a hassle. I challenge you to do these small tasks every day for a month! If you are consistent you will soon have nine new habits!

• Make your bed as soon as you get up. The bedroom instantly looks neater once the bed is made It take two minutes to complete the task and repays you with sixteen hours of order.
  
• Hang up your clothes. Don’t rest them on a chair or drop them on the floor until a pile develops.
  
• Clean as you go. Wash the dishes, load the dishwasher and wipe off the counters before food gets caked on. When you bring the groceries home, unpack them right away.
  
• Process your mail when you bring it in the door. p.s. You have to bring it in every night. Leaving it in the mailbox doesn’t count!
  
• Put items away, instead of letting them rest on the counter “for a minute.” That leads to pile-ups.
  
• Recycle the newspaper every day. It’s a fast way to remove surface clutter.
  
• When invitations arrive or papers need a response, signature or payment, make a decision and act on it right away.
  
• Finish what you start. Fold all of the clothes in the basket. Put all of the dishes into the dishwasher. Or fully unload the dishwasher instead of taking out one item. Half finished tasks create confusion and add to the mess.
  
• Give me five. Tidy up five minutes in the morning and five minutes at night and things will run smoothly.

Copyright 2007 Come2Order

Karen Henke is the owner of Come2Order in Minneapolis, MN. Visit www.come2order2day.com and request a free Time-Savers Kit which is loaded with time-saving tips and services. And sign up for a subscription to the free monthly newsletter.