I try my best to give credit where credit is due on this blog—citing the original voices of quotes and thoughts and helpful ideas. But for the life of me, I cannot remember where I first received this advice.
It has, however, proven to be revolutionary.
I once heard somebody say, “If you have something to do at home after work, do it right away when you get home, before you sit down.”
In the original context, the person was talking about completing a small task such as changing a light bulb, taking out the trash, watering the plants, or doing the dishes.
As soon as I heard the idea, I adopted this approach to getting things done at home and have loved it ever since.
I have found the advice to be incredibly helpful and I think you will too.
Often times when we get home from work, we’re tired. We just want to put our feet up, turn on the television, and take a break. Maybe you’re different than me and can somehow pop up motivated and energized an hour later ready to tackle any project that needs to be completed around the home.
But I have found the opposite to be the case. Most often, once I sit down in a comfy chair, I lose all the day’s momentum and motivation. Finding the energy to accomplish anything around the house becomes increasingly difficult. I might begrudgingly do it later in the evening just before going to bed—but only if I have to.
Adopting a “do it before you even sit down” mentality, on the other hand, captures my remaining energy from the workday, keeps me from procrastinating, and provides me with actual physical and mental rest throughout the remainder of the night—because the project isn’t hanging over my head all night long.
Here are some of the places this productivity approach works well:
- Cooking dinner
- Running an errand for the kids/family
- Watering plants, walking the dogs, or taking out the trash
- Helping kids with their homework
- A volunteer project you offered to complete
- A weekly cleaning project
- Starting the laundry
- Mowing the lawn
Of course, this approach may not be a good fit for hours-long projects like repainting the living room, tearing down a load-bearing wall, or decluttering your entire attic. Those types of projects probably require a bit more forethought and planning.
But for me, I have seen the “do it before you even sit down” mentality prove effective over and over again when it comes to completing small projects in the evening. You probably will too.
Lauren says
I mostly practice this, and in addition use the one-minute advice about if I can do it in under one minute I do it immediately. Between these two, I’m pretty good.
I also use a variation of this at work, choosing to do the most dreaded, difficult or just plain annoying work first rather than put it off until last. “Just get it done” is my mindset and I can then get on to other tasks I enjoy (or at least dread less) afterward and not have it hanging over me.
Mandy Adams says
Hi Joshua
I follow this approach myself – when I come home from work I empty my lunch bag and fill it ready for the next day, I put porridge oats and milk into a cereal bowl and leave it in the fridge until morning and put a tea bag in a cup also for the morning whilst I make a cup of tea for myself. When I go for a shower, I take my cup of tea, put clean clothes out for the morning and put what I am wearing in the wash basket. By doing all of this I am ready for the next day after I have gotten out of the shower and that means I can chill and don’t need to rush around in the morning.
Jewell says
Great ideas!
Donna Hurley says
Hi Joshua,
I “spontaneously” adopted this mantra after going through the Uncluttered course for the first time. Perhaps you transmitted it on some level! I have been a master procrastinator for years, so it is truly a life-changer for me. I feel so much space and time freed up on the inside and outside every time I choose to do a task the moment I think of it, and, before sitting down. Makes the eventual sitting down such a pleasure, as well. Thank you so much!
Donna
Shirley says
I have been doing this forever! If I sit down I’m done! Dishes and cleanup after dinner, garbage out! Ok!
Since retiring our motto most of the time is if we don’t get it done by noon, it’s not going to happen!
Shirley says
I have been doing this forever! If I sit down I’m done! Dishes and cleanup after dinner, garbage out! Ok!
Since retiring our motto most of the time is if we don’t get it done by noon, it’s not going to happen!
Betsy says
Shirley, we must be related because my husband and I say the same thing! And it’s true.
Jim Carpenter says
This comment is not related to this article:
My wife and I were in the class before this one. I went through several areas and got rid of a lot of stuff I didn’t need and found pretty quickly that I did need some of it after all. I also organized some of what I kept into nonexistence.
Part of the reason we have so much stuff is that we both have multiple interests. I have musical instruments, ham radio equipment, books, art supplies, etc. I streamlined each category and tried to compartmentalize everything, but there is still a lot to be addressed.
My wife hates to part with anything that has sentimental value, and a lot qualifies for that status.
On top of all of that, we lost our oldest daughter three weeks ago, so in addition to all of the issues that has caused, there will be even more stuff that will have sentimental value.
Meanwhile, I want to stay in the decluttering mode, but I have already missed a lot and I expect to continue when the next round comes
Kaye says
May her memory be a blessing. I am so sorry.
nina says
Take care of yourself! You’ve suffered a great loss. You decide what might stay , what might go… on your terms…what and when, if ever. Love and healing is most important for your family right now.
Lore says
I agree!! I’ve found that if I come home and think I’ll go to the grocery, run that errand, etc., I won’t go out again. I make sure I make all my errand stops on the way home so they won’t be put off!!
Judy says
Joshua—- love this!!! I struggle with this and often doze in front of tv while I should be tasking after dinner. Great to know I am not alone and the inspiration you shared is embraced more than you know! I shall stay motivated! Thank you! :D
Rhonda says
I completely agree! My children have reached an age where I don’t need to pick them up from daycare after work. I used to come home with 2 busy kids and go go go. In the last year I have judged myself for being lazy. I was coming home from work and sitting down to watch the shows my husband didn’t enjoy and found it so difficult to get up off the couch even to make dinner. I just realized recently that I can accomplish a lot but I have to do it as soon as I get home.
Betsy says
This is so true. My motto is that if it’s something you need to get done do it right away. This goes for most things. I’m not a fan of going to the dentist ( who is really ) so I make my dental checkups first thing in the early morning. Sitting down and reading after getting things accomplished is my reward for staying focused on what needs to get done.