Keep in control.

I am trying to establish routines so that everyday duties will become less time consuming, which in turn will allow me more time to do the "fun stuff." For example, if I make a routine of keeping clutter out of my home, I'll have to spend less time in the future picking it up and cleaning around it. I have represented in my posts that I am working hard to make a welcoming home, and part of that is keeping it clean and comfortable. Using suggestions from FlyLady, I have created a list of weekly duties that will help me keep on track with cleaning and decluttering. Eventually my home will consist of only items I love and my cleaning routine will be so innate in my daily life that the time it takes to do it will fly by and I'll move quickly into spending time doing more enjoyable things, like scrapbooking, knitting, or just simply spending time with my Hubby. Part of the way I am currently keeping track of what I want to be doing each day is using my own version of a "control journal."

I've had this nice leather Day Timer since I graduated from high school- it was a gift from my Mum. She had one at the time (how do you think I knew I wanted one?! ) and actually still uses it to this day. Mine has spent time barely used through the years, although I've always kept an updated calendar in it. Recently, though, it's been revived. I keep track of what I've got scheduled and what I've done- albeit most of the time it's in pencil because I'm a crazy person and hate to commit to anything... even things that have already happened. Oy.

Anyways, one of the more recent things I've used it for is keeping a list of daily tasks that I can check off once the task is done. I am easily pleased, and "checking stuff off" is just the best.

Hahahahaha! I'm sorry, the voice I hear in my head when I read that last sentence makes me laugh.

Yes, I hear voices in my head. Everyone does, so don't act like it's a new concept.

Moving on! I have a non-zone-specific weekly task list that I keep in the back of the Day Timer in a plastic sleeve and then I draw from that list to create the zone-specific list that goes into the binder in the week during which those tasks should be done.

Wow, for a tool that's supposed to be helpful, that explanation was very confusing.

The photo below shows the weekly task list for this week:

The list has been rewritten because I had to alter it due to my time being short for housekeeping this week (Bowling tomorrow night and to Rhode Island on Friday afternoon). Usually it has the Zone listed at the top and then each day listed with the tasks listed underneath. For example:

Zone 4: Master Bathroom, Bedroom, and Closet

Monday 10/20:

Dust in the Zone

Vacuum/Sweep/Mop Zone

Clean mirrors and/or windows in Zone

Kelly's Mission

And so forth...

The reason for specifying the zone for some tasks relates to a post I did not long ago about keeping my goals to a minimum so as not to get overwhelmed and then just give up altogether. Some tasks are done everyday- like cleaning up the kitchen after dinner (wiping down counters and loading dishwasher) and making the bed.

Although I haven't used this method for long, I think it's going to work out really well to get me into a routine of daily housework and cleaning up my home for better living. Plus, I get to make lists and check stuff off. Awesome.