An Easy Housework Routine That Really Works | Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

I have finally got an easy housework routine that works.

I really don't like housework so it hasn't come easy.

But if I don't do a few simple things every day I spend more time sorting out the consequences.

More time finding things. More time clearing up before I start what I need to do. More time redoing stuff I didn't finish.

And this makes me grumpy with everyone else, which I hate.

Now, knowing that a routine would help is one thing. Finding one that actually helps and that I actually stick to is quite another!

A Housework Routine That Works For You

There's loads of routines out there but the big thing I've learnt is that one single routine cannot work for everyone - we all have different houses, different lifestyles, different things that matter to us AND different bad habits!

You have to work out what personally drives you crazy in your house and what you can do - realistically - to fix it, else you won't feel the benefits of the routine and you won't stick to it.

To create a personal routine that works, you need to arm yourself with some psychological tricks. These tricks - used in successful quit smoking programs - are to:

Recognise there's a problem & want to change it
Identify personal benefits of change
Plan change
Refine plan to set realistic targets
Motivate & reward yourself
Be prepared to fail a little - or even a lot - and keep going

This all sounds a bit airy-fairy but to use these tricks to plan and start a routine that you actually keep up, just follow the simple steps below ... they really do work ...

Plan the Daily Routine

Write down 10 things that drive you most crazy about your house on a daily basis
Write by each item a very quick action that could fix it
Number list based on which problems have biggest consequences for you
In a few words write down 3 big benefits for you of getting on top of housework
Go through your list again & make the actions even quicker - aim for 3 minutes
Create a pretty chart listing your 10 actions & 3 benefits and stick on wall
Create a simple sticker reward chart & line up a reward for each 7 stickers you get
De-clutter house as much as you can in 1 week - get rid of what you don't need
Invest in simple storage - try to have a place for everything
Give house a big clean - as much as you can in 1 week

Start the Daily Routine

Write down most important action on two post it notes
Stick one post it note where action will take place
Stick other post it note by your bed
Tell whole family what action is and why it's important
Make sure any supplies needed are in right place
Before bed say "Tomorrow, I will [ACTION] because it will [BENEFIT]"
On getting up say "Today, I will [ACTION] because it will [BENEFIT]"
Do the action whenever most convenient - give yourself a sticker as soon as done
Repeat 6, 7, 8 for next two days - focus on a different benefit each day
After 3 days move onto next action and repeat 1 to 10

It helps to focus on one habit at a time but if you don't move quickly through them you'll get bored and lose motivation. If you focus on 10 actions for 3 days each, you can cycle through them all in a month - some will stick better than others the first month, but if you reboot every month more and more will stick each month.

Keep the Routine Going

Reward yourself with a treat each time you get 7 stickers
Don't obsess about timing, just fit action in when you've got 3 minutes free
Do what you can every day
Don't despair if you do nothing for several days - just try again tomorrow
Remind yourself of benefits every day
If any action takes more than a few minutes cut it down
At end of month: write down all successes on sheet of paper & stick next to routine
Identify simple barriers to success (e.g. bin bags upstairs was revolutionary for me!)
Swap out any actions that are less important than you thought
Keep going with all 10 actions but every 3 days focus mind on next action

My Personal Routine

To give you a practical example these are my 10 actions, the consequences of not doing them and the 3 big benefits for me of following the routine ...

Action	Problem solved
1. Load, run & empty dishwasher	Dishes stacked all over work tops & sink
2. Empty bins & compost crock	Bins overflowing & stinking!
3. Keep towels in bathroom	Soggy towels in bedroom; more laundry
4. Put clothes in laundry basket or hang up	Messy bedroom, bathroom; more laundry
5. Make beds	Bedrooms look like tips; beds uncomfy
6. Wipe work tops & sink, brush up crumbs	Unhygienic; takes longer; crumbs in carpet
7. Wipe round basin, bath rim & loo	Bathroom grim; needs big weekly clean
8. Get clothes & bag ready for tomorrow	Running around like a nutter in the morning
9. Open & file post & e-mail	Gets out of control; worry about contents
10. Two minute tidy	Breaking your neck on stuff all over floor!

3 Big Benefits of a Daily Routine

It saves me time
Makes me calmer and less grumpy
It's easier to get rest of family to help

If you're looking for more ideas - to help you work out what is most important for you - check out the posts linked up below, and if you've got your own post on a housework routine of any sort do link it up.

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