Most of us are pretty pressed for time most days. At least, that’s the most common reason people give me for their disorganization — they have no time to sort through their things! It’s understandable. It’s hard to carve out four hours or more to do a major organizational overhaul of a room.
That’s why I want to tell you about the power of 10 minutes. If you can spare 10 minutes a day and use them in a wise way, you can start to see a major transformation in how smoothly your home and your life runs. For example:
- Take 10 minutes at the end of every day to review your schedule and to-do list for the next day. That way, you can gather together any materials you need to be fully prepared for tomorrow. You will also sleep better knowing exactly (well, almost!) what to expect the next day. No midnight panic attacks that you forgot about the kids’ dentist appointment tomorrow!
- Take 10 minutes at the end of every day to clear your desk off. This is such a great gift you can give yourself. Starting the day with a clean desk can make us feel inspired, energetic and creative whereas coming to work each day to a messy desk is like throwing an iron anchor around our emotional and mental selves.
- Take 10 minutes every day to sort, shred, recycle or file your mail. If you do this, you will eliminate the vast majority of the paper pile that accumulates on your kitchen counter.
- Have each family member pick a room and spend 10 minutes each evening tidying it up. If it’s just you and your spouse, I suggest you make those two rooms the kitchen and your bedroom, because you spend the majority of your time in those two rooms. If you can do a third room, add on the bathroom.
- Before the children’s playdate ends, have the kids spend 10 minutes putting away all of the toys. It’s a great way to teach kids about making time to clean up when they are done having fun. It also means that you and your family are not left with a huge mess after their friends go home (I know my son hates having to put all those toys away himself!)
- Find yourself running late most mornings? Try getting up 10 minutes earlier. Even if you are not running late most mornings, getting up 10 minutes earlier allows you to take your morning at a more leisurely place without rushing through everything.
It’s almost magical, isn’t it, what a difference 10 minutes can make. Even if you only institute one of these 10 minute changes in your life, it will be enough to start you down the road to a more organized, more efficient and more stress-free life.
Like what you’re reading? Then please take a minute to vote for my business reSPACEd for Red Tricycle’s Most Awesome Mom-Run Business (Portland, Ore.) It only takes a few seconds and it would mean a lot to me. Click here to vote. Thanks!
