How Making The Bed Doubled My Productivity
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RealLifeClean #CollectiveBias
As a kid, it was never a requirement that we make our beds every morning. Oh I had chores don’t get me wrong, I left childhood an expert bathroom cleaner and furniture duster. And for the record, I think kids need to have chores so that they don’t end up being a crappy roommate in the future.
But for whatever reason daily bed-making wasn’t on the list. This habit of leaving my bed unmade came with me into adulthood. A few weeks ago I got the bright idea to start making my bed each morning. Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?Â
I have found that by just implementing this simple task each morning, my days have been more productive. When I kick off my day with a little tidying up, it helps me set a more productive tone for the day. Here are my other philosophies that help me get more done:
A place for everything, and everything in it’s place
Thanks, Mary Poppins 🙂 This is one of my favorite motto’s that I find myself reciting in my head as I tidy up. When the STUFF that seems to take over our homes so easily starts creeping, it’s not so intimidating to get it all contained when it has a designated spot. If it doesn’t have a designated spot, I recommend reading my 7 Mantras for the Wanna-be Minimalist post to help you decide if the STUFF you’ve got is really needed or if you can give it the boot.
Invest in convenience products
I’m a frugal son of a gun. It was hard for me to justify spending money on convenience products, until I thought about the time-saving value that they hold (which is invaluable, in my opinion). If I can make an unpleasant task such as cleaning the bathroom quicker and easier, you betcha I’m going to invest.
My favorite convenience products as of late are the Clorox ScrubSingles Bathroom Pads and Clorox TripleAction Dust Wipes. No more washing disgusting rags covered in dust and bathroom gunk. With the scrubbing pads you can just wet, scrub, and toss! The dust wipes can be used on multiple surfaces, I can dust an entire room with just one wipe, they’re that good.
Tackle the dishes as they come
For some reason, seeing dish clutter is a giant motivation suck for me. When I see stacks of dishes in the sink, my motivation to clean the rest of the kitchen goes “down the drain” (see what I did there?) I have been using the Clorox Pump ‘N Clean Kitchen & Dish Cleaner to help get the handwashed dishes washed quicker and easier. The rest go straight into the dishwasher. Luckily, I have a husband who is great about helping keep the dishwasher emptied. Emptying the dishwasher was another one of my childhood chores so I’ve developed a disdain for it.
It’s hard for me to zone in on business tasks when I’m tripping over toys in the hallway. Now that the house is clean and tidy, I have the mental breathing room that I need to tackle the rest of my daily to-do’s. Can you relate?