This morning as I was standing at the microwave rewarming my coffee, I decided to do something.
Literally.
I punched in 40 seconds.
Although a short veg break would have been nice since it was only about 5:45 in the morning, darn cats again.
Instead of just standing there, I decided to do a quick 40 second clean up of some clutter that was left on my kitchen table yesterday.
At the end of 40 seconds, the clutter was gone.
I was so impressed that I thought some quick clean up tips were in order.
WHEN CAN YOU FIND THE TIME TO DO SOME QUICK CLEAN UPS?
Can you think of some 40 second fixes that you can do in your home while
- waiting for the microwave
- waiting for the kettle
- talking on the phone or on hold (maybe you can do a lot of 40 second fixes while your on the phone!)
- waiting for your computer to load
- during TV commercials (this is a favourite of mine although it does take some push to get me off the couch some days)
- waiting for the dogs to come back in from a pee break outside
- waiting, waiting, waiting
QUICK CLEAN UP TIPS
Here are some things that you can do
- do a quick pick up in any room, start with the one that’s nagging you the most
- do a quick sweep, especially if you have a mess waiting to be swept
- do a spot cleaning, any spills etc that haven’t been wiped up
- wipe out your microwave
- dust off the TV, computer monitor
- wipe your keyboard. I use a q tip and either water or rubbing alcohol.
- tackle a pile
- clear a surface
- give something a wipe – make it shine
- wash a window
- put some shoes away
- swipe the toilet
- clean a sink
- straighten your desk
- sweep your stairs
- make your bed
- put some books or magazines away
- put some laundry away
The ideas are endless and the results are phenomenal, especially if you do this on a regular basis.
If you’re living in a mess, don’t wait until you ‘have time’ to get organized.
TAKE SOME QUICK CLEAN UP ACTION TODAY
Start right now by using your waiting time to do some 40 second fixes.
I would LOVE to hear back from you with your results.
Try it, just for today and see what happens.
A FEW QUICK CLEAN UP TIPS RESOURCES
Here are a few blogs I found that have some great quick clean up tips.
Three Timeless Tips for Quick Clean Ups
Three Quick Clean Up Tips using Alka Seltzer (watch for more info on using citric acid for cleaning coming up!)
RAMP IT UP
TAKE 5 – Get a 5 minute task delivered to your email daily. It’s easy to get 5 minutes better every day.
Excellent tips Jan, it really only takes a minute here and 30 seconds there to make a difference! I agree with this statement, “If you’re living in a mess, don’t wait until you ‘have time’ to get organized.” Because you’ll never have time!
It’s good to get into the habit of using time other wise spent waiting, doing a little bit of tidying, or cleaning. I have a portable phone so I can do other things while I wait or even while I chat with a friend.
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I LOVE having a portable phone. I remember the days being plugged in to the wall, it is so much better now!
Except for the time that I spend looking for the phone :0)
I’m glad that there are similar thoughts and actions taken out there. Sometimes it takes someone else to say it in just the right way to get through the mindnumbing distractions out there. Thanks
Mindnumbing distractions sums it up perfectly!
If we can even notice this and make an effort to get rid of some of this ‘noise’, it can make such a difference.