Do you all remember this post: We are Women, We can Do This!! Well, with that post in mind, I would like to ask you all where you are in terms of your new year's resolutions. Before you start berating yourself again, here are some tips that I have found very helpful in my own life.
Random Thing #1. Egg Timers make great cleaning incentives!
Place your egg timers in whichever rooms your kids continually leave a mess (I bought 5 of them at the dollar store). Then, make a list of things you wish your kids would do instead of leaving the room messy.
The right placement makes a big difference. Tape your list of jobs right where the kid's smiling faces would be seen as they wash their hands! This way, they cannot miss it.
Our rule is everytime you use a room with an egg timer in it, you spend 5 minutes to clean up.
This has created a super-happy change in our home. Yesterday when Lindsay dropped by our house and asked to use the bathroom, I was not worried that there would be toothpaste in the sink or an empty toilet paper roll waiting for him.
Not just that, but it is teaching all of us, just how little time it takes to clean up after yourself. This has been especially great for kids that can get overwhelmed when asked to clean an entire room. Now they are finding that after two 5 minute clean ups, they have done just that.
And, the best perk for me..... I feel like the work I do is staying done instead of getting undone faster than I can keep up with. This makes such a huge difference in my mood that it's really amazing!
Try it!!! I think you'll be happy with the results.
Random Thing #2. Money Jars can help you lose weight.
Eric has been on a health kick and has been trying to get me motivated to be healthier. He found his motivation by making a promise to his future, 70 year old self, that he would do everything he could now to be healthy in his older age. Well, that just doesn't motivate me. Afterall, I could get hit by a car tomorrow, so why not enjoy some chocolate now?!?!?
Well, for one thing, I am not happy when I am not taking care of myself. So, where did I find my motivation? I got a great idea listening to a research study on NPR. It seems that people that are financially motivated to exercise and eat right are more motivated. DUH!!! I learned that on my Five Dollar Diet with Lindsay. But, the program went on to explain that if you have to give the money to a cause that you are against, you "are like a billion times" more motivated..... to paraphrase my 11 year old.
So, take out $100 cash all in ones. Put it into a jar labeled with your name on it. Put it next to an empty jar with an organization you don't support. If you're a democrat maybe you pick the republicans or vice versa. If you love PETA, choose the National Association of Cattle Ranchers... you get the idea.
Then make a contract with yourself. If I don't exercise or cheat on my diet I have to take $5 from my jar and put it in the jar to be donated to my despised organization (nope, I'm not telling you what it is). Needless to say, I haven't even been tempted to cheat because there is no way in - - - - I am giving them my money!
I am losing 2-3 pounds/ week.
Random Thing #3. Now that I am feeling in controll of my house and my self, I am happier!
When I am happier, I appreciate things more. Life is more beautiful. I am a better parent, friend and spouse. I feel motivated. I hope you can find your way there!!!
When you do, maybe you can make some super-awesome projects like these from our design team members Gudrun (first two) and Laura (last one) .
