Day Two

Day two has begun and I cannot tell you how much I don't want to get going on this.  We were away for the weekend so the last thing I did is everything I posted last and I only kept things up on Saturday before we left.  However, that is still an accomplishment and I am taking it as such.

One of the greatest challenges to making changes is our own negativity towards reaching a goal.  In the area of home organization this seems to me to be the easiest way to talk yourself out of further accomplishment. But take a moment to reflect on everything else you accomplish: especially what you accomplish outside of the home.

If you're working full-time, you are likely successful there.  What makes you a success?  You probably work hard with a "never stop" attitude and a singular focus on accomplishing the tasks at hand.  The fact that this attitude may not transfer to your home-work is not a complete loss.  You already have it but the drive is not there.  I get this. I have this. I have to make the changes in my thought process one day at a time.

When I received my Monday prep list yesterday, I was exhausted and I didn't feel like doing it.  One hour is all it was designated to take, but I didn't get it done.  However, rather than focus on what I wasn't getting done, I focused instead on what I did do.  I tidied my counter because it had been tidy before we got home.  I shined my sink again because there were a few cups and drips in it.  I did the same again this morning after the kids had finished their breakfast.  That is an accomplishment.

 

FlyLady only focuses on fifteen minutes of work each day.  We all have fifteen minutes even if we don't want to spend it on home-work.  I am there, this is how I got here - by not spending the time.  FlyLady is aware of the fact that we didn't get into the disorganized state in one day and it will take more than one day to get out of it.  Our battle is not so much with the work as it is with our own discipline.  Again, I am there and I am looking for ways to motivate myself. 

Number one motivator: where else are you successful?  For me, I look at my blogs because this is the most recent change that I have made and I stick to it.  On The Mom Evolution, I write every day.  Sure it takes, on average, longer than fifteen minutes but I do it, every day.  I have only been writing for a little more than a month but I have 50 segments.  I have stuck to it with little to no fanfare - at first. 

Within the past three weeks, I have been getting some encouragement.  Random people either telling me they enjoy reading them or commenting on my Facebook to let me know they "love it".  It didn't happen right away.  The same goes with the home-work and my inner voice because even if you have a spouse and kids, are they going to walk in the house and say "Wow! That looks great! How can I help?" Who knows? Maybe they will, but I'm not holding my breath.  The organization is for me; I want the house organized and they can deal with it.  I will make them.

 I made a real dent on the first day but haven't done anything amazing since.  However, I have kept up with what I did that day and am focusing on that as an accomplishment.  Creating a habit does not happen in one day but it starts with one day.  FlyLady is adamant that we do not put more time in than fifteen minutes because we are only just beginning.  Of course if you have the time, then you'll totally just keep going, but if you don't, you'll have done fifteen minutes than you would have otherwise. 

This week FlyLady is directing us to "Zone five- the living room, family room OR den".  One room only.  Declutter in this room for fifteen minutes each day over the next three days and set a timer. On the following two days we will be in "Zone 1: Front porch, entrance and dining room".  My motivation is going to come in two forms: first, I am going to blog about it and so I have to have something to say; second, I will pepper this with the pictures which I wasn't going to do, but honestly, it will help.  This will assist me two ways as well: I will be able to say, with some growing confidence, that I am doing something and I will motivate myself with before and after shots.  And even if you have no intention of posting them, you could take some for yourself and look back to remind yourself that you are indeed moving forward.

I hadn't really wanted to do the before and afters but I think that will help more than just talking about it.  Granted, even I see that it's not perfect in my kitchen after shot because the coffee is still out and I need to put that away but I will, once I finish writing.   That will take me a whole 9 seconds.  The living room, well, it looks like it might take a few minutes more, but I will set the timer for fifteen minutes because I have to get lunch ready and then I will take the kids to the park.  So I can spare fifteen minutes now. 

Note: as I was heating up two different lunches, I realized I had some spare time.  I decluttered the computer desk as I was waiting for lunch to cook.  Sure I only had five or so minutes, but I put the time to use since I was standing there anyway.
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