Tackling the Dreaded To Do List
Filed under: Clear the clutter, Family Management, Healthy Habits, Home Organization
Trying to get things done around the house, but feeling overwhelmed by your never-ending list of things-to-do?
Here’s a simple system that works.
Make a Master Task List of everything you have to, or want, to do. Don’t worry about the order right now. You’re basically brain-dumping on paper all your To-Do‘s to get the thoughts out of your head and onto paper. This exercise creates a master laundry list of tasks.
Now, beside each task on your master list, assign a letter of priority:
A = Important / Urgent
B = Important, but Not Urgent
C = Would be nice to do
Each day, transfer no more than 4 items (3 is ideal) from the master list to your To Do List (two A Priorities, one B Priority, and one A, B or C Priority). Focus on completing only those items and forget the rest for now. When you’ve completed the 4 items on your list, feel free to transfer 4 more items from your Master List to your To Do List.
The key to this system is that you’ve gotten all those pesky tasks that swim around in your head, onto paper. Then by moving to your To-Do list and focusing only 3-4 tasks per day, you’ve kept your list manageable and attainable, rather than setting yourself up for failure by a To Do list that not even Super-woman could accomplish.
By using this system every day, you’ll be amazed at all you can accomplish in less time and less stress!
Find this To Do list notepad at The Simplified Home.
Originally posted 2009-11-07 16:48:10. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
Form a family team with age-appropriate chores
What age do you think that kids should start contributing to household chores?
Kids of all ages can and should be taught by their parents the value of organizing and cleaning up after themselves. If parents teach them in an age-appropriate, structured way, it’s a value that will stick with them throughout their lives and help them to be successful.
Parents can teach their kids by establishing regular routines for other things, like bedtimes, meals and chores. Kids will soon learn what is expected of them and it won’t seem like work to them. If you have multiple kids, you can even assign tasks according to their ages. In my home, w
e use the “Mom Can I Help Around the House” chore system. The idea is really simple. Each of my kids has a personalized chore binder assigned to them. Each chore is clearly written so they understand what they need to do. They are expected to complete their chores between Friday after school through Sunday at noon. Each of my kids learns to manage their time, set goals, experiences the satisfaction of accomplishing a task and is praised for their efforts. All without my having to “nag” them!
Here are some chores your children can do for their specific age group:
Kids under 6 should be able to these chores:
- Pick up their toys.
- Hang up coats and put shoes away.
- Set the dinner table.
Kids over 6 can (and should) help with:
- Help with laundry
- Clear used dinner items after meals and help with washing dishes.
- Help with caring for pets.
As your children grow, add responsibilities to your children(s)’ chore folder that include more steps and instructions. Be sure to praise them along the way and give them every opportunity to succeed. Keep in mind that you’re not doing them any favors if you follow behind your children and correct their work. In the real world, this won’t be done for them. Give them real world exposure by providing feedback and have them correct less than acceptable work. This teaches them, above all else, a sense of responsibility and accomplishment for a job well done. You will be able to maintain a cleaner home and your children will have learned valuable skills that will last a lifetime.
Originally posted 2008-09-29 06:28:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
