The Secret to a Clean and Organized Home

Aug 25, 2010 | Blog, Cleaning Tips, Organizing Tips

It’s of course really not a secret at all. It is something almost all of us struggle with in some areas of our life and it is the one and only thing between us and our goals….Motivation.

If you are struggling to keep your home clean and organized, I am in no way suggesting that you are lazy. A lot of people lack self motivation and self discipline in many areas of their life and yet are extremely hardworking and motivated in other areas.  I, for one, have many tricks to motivate me to keep my home clean and organized but I can’t for the life of me get motivated to exercise or eat right. I have gained over 80 pounds in the past five years…yes, I said 80! My cholesterol is through the roof, me feet and legs ache daily and, every time I see a picture of myself, I can’t believe that I ever could have let it get so bad…yet still, I eat cookies, ice cream and everything else and my only exercise is the occasional walk to the store, which usually ends in more chocolate….

My point is; Life is hard work. It is hard work and motivating ourselves to do the crappy stuff we really don’t want to is the hardest part of all.  So, even though I am the most unmotivated person I know, here are a few of my motivational tips I use to get myself up and cleaning and organizing.

  • Lists, lists and more lists. Make yourself a daily and weekly list of goals you want to achieve. Leave that list out where you will see it many times throughout the day.
  • Invite company over when things start to get really bad. Nothing lights a fire under my ass more then the thought of people coming over!
  • Music motivates. Put on some of your favourite tunes and rock out while you get stuff done.
  • Invite a friend over to help you sort and organize. Having an unbiased opinion and extra hands can help you get more done then you ever could on your own!
  • Have someone to hold yourself accountable to! Start a blog if you have to! It doesn’t matter if anyone even watches, just the act of sharing your progress is an amazing motivator!
  • Audio books are my new favourite way of multitasking. Listening to a book is just as enjoyable as reading one plus you can clean, organize, scrapbook or whatever at the same time!

My biggest recommendation? Turn off the television. You can sit down to watch a show and before you know it, hours have gone by and you’ve just wasted your time and zapped your energy.  I know it is hard, but try to limit yourself to only one hour a day (if that). You’ll be amazed by how much more time you have for yourself and for your home and family.

Day Nine: Make yourself a list of three things a day you want to get done for the next seven days. Make them realistic and attainable. Put this list somewhere you will see it often and work your butt off to get them done!