Aralyn is napping, Paul is at work, the house is quiet and I should be cleaning. SHOULD being the imperative word implying to you that that is not, in fact, what I am doing. I AM doing what I like to call the step BEFORE cleaning- MOTIVATING. I am motivating myself to clean. Here’s how:
I draw up house plans and mark up magazine pictures with notes all over about the things that I like and the things I would change, etc. Now, how does this motivate me to clean? Well, its weird but magazine houses are always clean. Have you noticed that? So, after my fun I set out to get my house ready for it’s magazine shoot which I realize borders on insanity since there are, in fact, no magazine editors breaking down my doors for a photo shoot; however, it works for me. Ever since I was a kid imagining that I was cleaning for the King, I have needed my imagination to fire up cleaning motivation. Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it. Works like a charm. Anyhow, I must warn you that this method of self motivation can walk a fine line bordering on PROCRASTINATION. Seeing as I am here typing to you and not scrubbing my kitchen like I should be I would say that today falls into that procrastination category. So, before I sink into a bottomless pit of filth, I am going to go pack up my house plans and do a nice kitchen scrub down before Ara awakes.
What motivates YOU to clean?
Weeping Cherries 
I think that’s a fantastic idea! Andy and I do similar things with goals – looking at pictures and phrases of things we want to accomplish short-term and long-term and it’s amazing how that’ll keep you motivated. I’m not the best cleaner, and I’d never thought of putting this practice into effect with chores, but it’s a really great idea! Thanks, Jen!
Heather Pekios
Great idea Jen!! I might have to try that. Typically I’ll set a timer for a set amount of time and then try to see how much I can get done in the allotted time frame. It’s amazing what you can even accomplish in just 10 minutes if you don’t get distracted. The hard part for me is not getting distracted by everything else I think I need to do. 🙂 Lily has a lot of fun working with the timer too. It’s great motivation for us both to get down to business and tidy up. 🙂
Good idea Jen. My best motivation is having people over. I remember it being so hard with preschoolers around who quickly mess up the job done, so I concentrated on the more heavy duty jobs, like bathroom scrubbing and floors if you can find the floor from the toys. I remember those days well! One idea that did help with the constant pick up and take to other rooms for put away was having a bag for each room so if I was cleaning the LIving room I would put items in that go to the bathroom, kids room, kitchen, etc. in their bags by the door. Then if I was going to the kitchen I took that bag with me and put things away or at least hang the bag on the door knob for that rooms cleaning time.
Ha! What motivates me to clean? Eh the Littles…. constant reminders.
Miss Jocelyn
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