New Year's Resolutions - Keeping It Clean

In the list of New Year's resolutions, right behind losing weight and eating healthier, is keeping the house clean.  Unfortunately, this will be an example of doing what I say and not what I do.  Consistent house cleaning has always been a impossible challenging task for me.

Although I have struggled with maintaining a clean house, I have found a couple of great sources for getting into the habit.  Most systems describe three types of cleaning tasks - daily, weekly and less frequent.  There are variations on this theme, but getting the first two under control is the difference between being overwhelmed or getting it done.  If you are just getting started, find a program that gives you some suggestions about managing daily and weekly tasks.  Make sure whatever you do works for YOU.  You'll find plenty of routines that focus on accomplishing a specific daily task, but you may question why you are cleaning your kitchen sink when you can't walk through your bedroom.  You need to control the cleaning routine - it shouldn't control you..

Remember the rules of learning a new habit because house cleaning routines are perfect examples of habits that need consistency and persistence.  Keep that in mind as you look at these websites.  They have great routines, but it can be very overwhelming as you start.  Figure out your daily routine and try that for a week or so.  Then you can decide how detailed or complicated you want to be.

Flylady

This was my original exposure to cleaning systems.  She is incredible.  Clean your kitchen sink everyday.  If you aren't ready for the detailed "fly journal," or life overhaul, it's OK, just follow the basics and refrain from the complicated stuff. 

Clean Mama

This is a similar to FlyLady, but maybe just a little more modern.  Do you want some basic ideas to develop your own cleaning routine?  She has them.  Do you want a detailed cleaning routine that tells you exactly what to do and when?  You got it.  Do you want to watch her videos or read her books?  She has that too.

Better Homes & Garden

If you are looking for instruction on particular cleaning tasks or how to create your own cleaning routine, the BHG website is awesome.  There are so many suggestions and articles on housekeeping, including cleaning.  It's a little like Pinterest, so be forewarned about the black time hole you will encounter. 

Good luck - and keep it clean out there!

cindy

New Year's Resolutions - Break and Build Habits

This topic had to be the first because you will need the tips here to accomplish most, if not all, resolutions you may make.  Whether you're trying to break a bad habit or acquire a new one, the rules are basically the same.  Effort, especially while you are making a lasting change, is the primary requirement, as well as a commitment to building or breaking a habit.

Use these tips to self improvement through making and breaking habits:

1.  If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  That might sound a little negative coming as the first suggestion, but you won't be perfect all the time and you need to be ready for that.  Write down your goal - be specific about the habit you are trying to make or break.  When the goal is not specific, there is a tendency to water it down, or add more to the original goal.  You can't win a game if you change the rules in the middle. Finally, have a plan for what happens during a setback. 

2.  Focus on one habit at a time.  Don't try to diet and quit smoking at the same time.  There is actually scientific evidence to show that the human brain only has enough will power to attack one habit at a time. 

3.  Give yourself at least 30 days.  Set a firm date to begin and commit to the entire 30 days.  Set that 30th day as a milestone and not just a vague aspiration.  It takes about 3 weeks for most people to adopt or break a habit.  If you have other behaviors, people or situations that are associated with your bad habit or stand in the way of your new habit, make an effort to avoid them during the time you are trying to make or break a habit.  It might not be realistic to change your commute route permanently, but if it helps break the Starbucks or McDonalds habit, do it for 30 days and give yourself a chance.

4.  Be accountable.  If you keep a record of your progress, it can keep you focused.  Better yet, find an accountability partner who will keep you honest on your progress.  That person will encourage you whether you are progressing or not.  It also makes you more likely to persevere through the 30 days.

5.  Reward yourself.  Sometimes the new habit is a reward in itself, but when your efforts pay off, give yourself something special that you would not otherwise have.  It's a great motivation to start/break another habit!

Regardless of the resolution you make, if it includes a new practice or activity you don't already do, plan on following these steps to a positive change.  Good luck!

cindy