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.
Julie L says
This practice has worked very well for me in my career years. As tired as I may be, I still have just a smidgen of momentum right when I get home from work, and I just want to get my chores done before relaxing for the evening. That’s the best relaxation: knowing that my responsibilities for the day are complete.
Carla says
Great job and I admire you for showing up. I only wish my every day is at best very relaxing.
Melissa says
This is so true for me and it’s how I try to live my life. Get errands done as soon as I get home because once I sit on the couch and start to relax, it’s all over. I don’t want to do anything else.
geevan says
yes, I think it’s a great approach. my sister used to have this approach while she was a student .she used to come home after school and then she will start with her homework immediately and once after finishing it, she will come out to play with us. after the games I used to go home with a heavy heart,she can just relax as she does not have any compulsory work to be done
Frieda says
From the educational perspective, it is actually better to take a longer break and do the homework after playing. That way you ensure you understand/remember things even after being occupated with something else and not just from the short-term memory. If your sister decided herself to do it that’s totally fine, kids must be allowed to make their own decisions on when to learn to match their own learning style. But I know many parents forcing their children to do homework before letting them go outside to play and that is not always fruitful (and in the northern hemisphere it means the children will not play outside when it’s still bright in the winter time).
Sandra Lee says
Playtime after Braintime allows the brain to consolidate information into long-term memory.
Tamara says
This is easy to do when you love making to do lists and crossing them off, AND when you’re Unit is so tiny like mine, that you don’t have room for a couch or arm chair or dining chair! I don’t even own a TV! I only have room for an office chair with my desk, and a kitchen stool. So it’s easy to keep on my feet until I’m finally ready to relax then I jump onto my comfy bed with lots of cushions and enjoy knowing I don’t have to get up again!
Kathleen Kilgore Lennon says
Similar to my father saying “Don’t Go From” in other words if the clean laundry needs to go upstairs, take it with you on your way to study in your room. And if the dirty towels need to be in the basement, take them with you when you come downstairs!
If the trash needs to be taken out, do it on your way to school!
Don’t Go From!
K
Barbara Cella says
Really like this. It’s so much more efficient with n my y time and effort.
Valerie McNamara says
Great idea-simple and practical. Will do my best to put it into practice. Thank you.
Gail says
Great advice – simple, easy, effective
I have the 1,2,5 “ rules ”.
Touch something once (1) which means sometimes to put my coat away when I get home, I have to walk a *whole” step from door to closet. 2 is your 2 minute rule, do it now if it can be done under 2 minutes. 5 is God gave me 5 fingers one each hand and I use them whenever I leave a room – I make sure I have something in my hand that needs to be located elsewhere
Laurie Morra says
I am so sorry for your loss! It may take quite a while to get back into the routine of daily decluttering after such a devastating loss. Give yourself grace and compassion. The decluttering will always be there. It’s like layers of an onion. And you can allow yourself to have the space to process your new reality, however long it takes. I speak as one who has watched my brother and his wife grieve the loss of their 27 year old son. It is a devastating blow. God bless.
Liz says
My two favourites that I do know who told.
My Nan: Everything has a place. Put it there. (My trouble is the things I haven’t given a place!)
An older lady at church: If you are going that way, take it with you. (So if I am folding washing but I need to go to the loo, take one pile to deliver to a bedroom on the way – I have a long hallway – and on the way back maybe bring out the trash from the ensuite, or grab the empty hangers and put them back in the laundry.
Leslie says
I really didn’t think of this as an intentional strategy as much as a useful flow of energy. Similar to a commercial on TV (I believe for arthritis) “a body in motion stays in motion.” I have also found DOT (Do One Thing) useful … standing in any room and consciously looking around I can always find one small thing (10 – 15 minutes) to do.