Breaking down jobs into small chunks!

BEAT_THE_DEBT

Hi i wanted to clean my cupboards and empty jars ( bits in bottom etc )and wash out and recycle etc . This job would have taken me a fair bit of time so i am doing one jar a day!
Anyone else do this for any other jobs?

Beccatje

Ugh no.. that would drive me nuts!

I'd rather take the time.. go all out full blown mad and clean the lot. Then I'd be all smug and happy and will go and look at it several times a day for a few days, just to enjoy how clean it is. (yes I'm sad..)

Doing it one jar at a time, would not give me that satisfaction, and it would make it feel like a never ending job..

but we're all different, and you have to do what works best for you ofcourse. ;-)

rosieben

If you keep putting off a job because it seems too big then its makes good sense to break it down into smaller parts - someone on here has a sig about eating an elephant one piece at a time

I like the Flylady Baby Steps, the frogs thread suggests breaking things into tadpoles. Its all the same principle and it works.

tigerfeet2006

I break things down to 15 min or so chunks and set a timer, have a rest, then 15 min, rest, 15 min etc.

Diflower

A big blitz is wonderful if you can do it. But if you can't, whether due to time or physical constraints, then breaking it down is a really good idea.
I can't physically do a lot in one go, so any kind of achievable target is far better than aiming too high

skintmum2012

My son is at preschool 3 hours a day in the afternoon and I like to get most of the cleaning done when he is there so I only have to do the basics while he is here and I get to spend lots of time with the kids. So I have got a 2012 Diary where I write in my diffrent jobs for everyday to make sure I do a little bit a day.

[Deleted User]

Because I have secondary lymphodema in my right arm I cannot iron for too long as it causes me pain and discomfort, so this morning as I have a pile of ironing to get through I will do 15 minutes at a time, then rest and maybe have a cuppa for 15 minutes then start again for another 15 minutes.Its the only way I can get anything done where it involves my right arm.Plus it means I don't get too disheartened by the pile .Once I have done 4 x 15 minute sessions if there is any left I will put it into the conservatory to do the next day .No point making myself poorly just for a bit of ironing.:):)
I think small chuncks of work is better than none at all, and when like me you tire easily I also have arthritis and a heart problem then my health is far more important than any housework.I have a very good friend who visits me about every three weeks and if its above my shoulders or below my knees she does the dusting or vacuuming for me.My DDs also help by changing my bed for me weekly and one of my DGS's weed the garden for me so I am lucky that I have a close-knit family to help me out.But I recipricate by picking up children from school and entertaining when needed the said children,or taking them, as I did on Tuesday to the dentists, and popping to bank,post office, cleaners etc and doing the jobs my two very busy working DDs don't have the time to be able to do.
We must save the country a fortune in home helps but my family like to help each other and their old Mum so I am very fortunate

rachbc

I'm more of a blitz it person - we have one kitchen cupboard that drives me nuts - brooms, mops, cleaning stuff and carreirs etc all in there so last night I pulled it all out - and reorganised - only took 30 mins - would have taken less time if my dd and her freind hadn't been so determined to help!

Now I am treating myself to a pouch of envirosax as a reward and becuase they will take up less room that the big bag stuffed full of random carriers I have aquired over the years - whcih themsleves will be repurposed!

Linda32

Beccatje wrote: »

Then I'd be all smug and happy and will go and look at it several times a day for a few days, just to enjoy how clean it is. (yes I'm sad..)

Then I am as well I do that.

I do break down the task of cleaning the oven. About once a month I do one shelf a night (its got three shelves) and then the bottom, then the door.

LameWolf

I have lupus, and so my energy is very limited; I break jobs down into mini-jobs as often as is practical; on a really bad day, dusting one shelf of a bookcase will count as a mini-job. So yes, OP, I'm with you on this one!:beer: