Show #382 Airing 4/1/07
Spring-cleaning comes at the wrong time of year. The sun’s coming out and we want to get outside, not clean. So today we’re going to inspire you to spring into spring-cleaning. Sandra Einstein is here from e equals m c squared organizing and coaching consultants to give us some motivational spring-cleaning tips.
Question: When the weather outside becomes nice and sunny after a Cleveland winter, it can be hard to stay indoors and be motivated to do your spring-cleaning. Sandi, you've made a list of tips that can help us stay on task. First is Set Realistic Goals.
Answer: One reason some people never finish their cleaning is because they try to accomplish too much too fast and they get overwhelmed. So break it down into realistic goals:
- Do you want to clean the whole house? Or just a portion?
- Break down what you want to accomplish into smaller goals. If may be smaller than even a room! If your bedroom, for example, is large, divide that one room up into manageable areas.
- Do one project at a time, and do it until its completion. This will give you a sense of satisfaction, and will lead to less disarray.
- A lot of this is about knowing yourself and your energy levels-how much you are comfortable doing at once. Set a timer to give yourself breaks. Don't overdo it.
Question: Next, you say to Make an Appointment with Yourself. What does that mean?
Answer: Write your spring-cleaning down on a calendar as if it were a doctor's appointment or a nail appointment-something you wouldn't break!
Tell someone else what your cleaning plans are. That will help keep you accountable for actually completing the task.
Question: Then, Have the Right Tools. You've brought some items here with you today, so let's see.
Answer: You want to make sure you have the right, and enough, cleaning products, garbage bags, dusting cloths, etc.
Props. Organizing products that can help with spring cleaning: for your drawers, small storage containers, etc.
Question: Next, Leave Time to "Clean Up". Can you explain?
Answer: If you are working on cleaning in small increments, you may not complete an entire task in the 1-2 hours you've blocked out. While cleaning, you may come across items in a room that should belong in the basement, or the kitchen, or you may find items that you want to give away. Don't take those items back while you are working-you'll get distracted.
Instead, put them in bins or piles and, 15 minutes before you are done working for the day, then put them back. Put away all cleaning supplies. You don't want to leave a mess when you are cleaning.
Question: Get Help.
Answer: Delegate what you don't want to do, or can't do. If your balance isn't what it used to be, perhaps you shouldn't be climbing a step stool to wash walls anymore. Enlist the help of a family member or an agency.
While you are spring cleaning, consider what parts of your house need maintenance as well. Should you call someone to clean your gutters? Wash your windows? Turn on your sprinklers? It may be a good idea to keep a notebook with a list of what needs to be done for each season.
Question: And finally, Reward Your Hard Work.
Answer: The reward can be intangible, like taking a walk or relaxing enough to read a book, or tangible, like buying a CD or movie you want.
You don't have to be an Einstein to solve your spring-cleaning problems. For more information, give e equals m c square organizing and coaching consultants a call. The number's next. My thanks to Sandra Einstein.
