Habits are Hard To Make

I told my husband once that I thought I was undisciplined to which he responded, "you're not undisciplined; you get a lot done; you just don't like to be on a schedule".

I think the truth lies somewhere in the middle.  In all honesty, I think I am probably quite disciplined in doing the things I enjoy doing and somewhat disciplined in doing the things that need to be done that I don't enjoy but don't hate doing.  Then there are the chores that I really don't enjoy doing; I have to confess, I am less disciplined with those.

I hate housework!  All the organizational websites don't work for me either.  It's not that I don't know how to organize; it's that I don't like to organize.  So, I am conceiving a very simple plan.

I am trying a new tactic.  It is one that worked on our son when he was two: good old reverse psychology.  My new agenda:  If I am not sick, I will work ten minutes and ten minutes only on each room of the main floor (bathroom only gets 5 minutes) and five minutes on each room upstairs and five minutes on the laundry room.  I will also commit to 10 minutes of paperwork a day, but not more than that.  The kids can be responsible for cleaning the basement.  I am not allowed to go beyond those allotted times.  Those are the chores I do not like to do.  So, I will still cook a big meal every other day, do one load of laundry a day, have my time with God, time with Ryan, play with the kids, grocery shop, etc.  Those things are easier to motivate myself to do.  My other commitment is to work on one project on the weekend; that usually entails finishing the laundry.  I am guessing the temptation will be to go beyond those allotted times once I get started, and I can already think of extra projects that need doing.  That's okay, if that's what it takes to motivate myself, I will try it. However, my rule is I cannot go over the allotted times until every room and paperwork has had their allotted time.

Okay, I am also going to ask a couple friends to hold me accountable to this new plan.

Ooh forgot one:  I hate exercise!   So, I am adding the goal of 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise three times a week; I am not allowed to go beyond that, hehe.

I'll let you know how it goes.