Hi I really appreciated reading how to clean and organize in 5 minutes. Timing yourself to do tasks is a great idea – I never thought about it quite in that way.
I have done something similar – for example, if I am waiting for something to heat up in the microwave (my coffee) – I think to myself that I have “found” 1 minute to do something – so I clean the front of the microwave, or take the rubbish out – some little chore rather than standing there watching the coursel go round.
It almost becomes a little game – gee – it only took me x seconds to do that. Also, I use ad breaks – another slot of “found” time. When I have stuff to do, I will watch a TV program, and the start of the ads is my signal to get up and do a little chore. For example, I might have the dish washing to do (I don’t own a dishwasher), so in the first ad break, I run the water and put the glasses in to soak. In the next break, I wash the glasses and put the plates in to soak and so on. It’s amazing how much gets done. Or, you can do a little bit of dusting or vacuuming in the break.
Cheers for now Kate in Cleveland, Queensland, Australia
Hello Kate,
I love to hear from our readers from down under. As a matter of fact I am reading yet another book that is set in Australia. I just love to read about your country.
I did the same type of thing you mentioned when I was really sick. I couldn’t clean the whole bathroom but I would make myself get up and clean the sink during the first 5 minute TV commercial and then the toilet during the next. That way I didn’t over do but at the same time I manage to get huge amounts done. I totally agree with what you said. Thanks, Jill
rose says
March 1, 2009 at 1:52 pmi do this also, while i am working on the phones (at home)… if there is a break in between calls, i will straighten up here and there too…
i love the australian accents too… lovely country!…
jill, what is the name of the book you are reading? if you dont mind me asking…
my daughter and son in law saw that new movie with nicole kidman “australia” (i think that is hte name) and i think the other star was hugh jackman… she said
her and her fiance enjoyed the movie very much… did you see the movie yet jill? just curious…
rose 😀
Taylor at Household Management 101 says
March 2, 2009 at 9:48 amI love this tip, and do something similar while cooking. It helps me keep the kitchen cleaner, and I don’t even spend more time in there than I would have otherwise.
jill says
March 2, 2009 at 10:11 amRose the book I was reading is no longer in print any more. I read a lot of old books by Essie Summers too who wrote about New Zealand but the ones I like are so hard to find and if I do run across them the price is higher then I like to usually pay.
It is funny you should mention that movie because I saw it advertised just last night and was thinking I would like to see it some time and was wondering if it was any good.
Jill
MAREE says
March 2, 2009 at 12:29 pmJill
I noticed that the movie was advertised as coming out on DVD tomorrow. If you go to the Redbox web site and sign on they will send you a number that will be able to rent it free on Mondays. So you can actually see a great movie FREE… I haven’t seen it yet so that’s what I will be doing. Some of my coworkers have seen it and tell me that some parts a not to nice (but that’s the history of it!!! That’s how it happened)
Jill if you like Aussie stories have you read any Bryce Courtney books? You may be able to get some from the library or on the internet. I have one that I will gladly send you if your interested. Last time I was in Australia I bought it to read on my 38 hour return journey!!!!!You think books are expensive here…I think I paid $30 for a paperback….I have a few other books that I will gladly send you too. I’m about to have to downsize my home and books are heavy to move and I was looking for a good home for them anyway….I’ll pay the postage for you just so that I know they are going to someone that will enjoy them. I don’t care what you do with them after that….
Maree
rose says
March 2, 2009 at 1:23 pmjill, you should rent that movie… as per my daughter, its what she calls “a keeper”, meaning you could probably see it over and over again and never be bored with it…
she said it was very good… her and her fiance are buying the movie and then they will lend it to me so i can see it…
i hear ya about those older books that are hard to find… and when you do, they are normally much higher in price but then again they are worth it…
there is a book i rented from the library a long long time ago, it was published by a group of grandmothers who survived the great depression and in this book not only did they have recipes (awesome recipes, i must add! :D) but also, survival stories… i cant remember the name of the book but if i ever find it, yes i will buy it… and i know it will be well worth…
rose 😀
ps i just looked up “essie summers, author”, bc the name sounded familiar… my sister reads her books too… hehhee 😀
jill says
March 2, 2009 at 2:43 pmThanks for the great info everyone. I will have to wait to see the movie though because I don’t own a DVD player yet. I know I live in the dark ages. So I usually just wait patiently (???) until something comes on TV.
This one sounds good enough though that I might treat myself to our $2 movie if it is showing there. I was just thinking I hadn’t been to a movie for many months and it was time for me to think about going to one.We still have a $2 movie here in town and that is the one thing I love to do a couple of times a year. Yeah just call me a big spender when it comes to entertainment. I really need to get a life. HA!HA!
Maree I would love your books if you are sure you can swing it. They will get well used when I get done with them I give them to Tawra to read and usually pass them around if I find someone who would like to use. My favorites of course I share with Tawra and keep.Thank you, Thank you Thank you. If you can’t tell I’m a bookaholic.
Jill
shelley says
March 2, 2009 at 4:12 pmmaree, to save money think about using the postal services book rate materials service it is much cheaper. i am not sure how much longer it takes but this could possibly save you a cpl of bucks.
look up book rate materials. at http://www.usps.com
Jacqui says
March 5, 2009 at 2:17 pmI call this “commercial ” cleaning!! LOL
Diane says
August 12, 2010 at 12:55 pmGood morning. I used this TV break type of cleaning when my back was really bad, and I still have to work a bit and then sit and knit or read, and now that I’ve discovered blogging I keep the computer on and when my back starts to ache, I can sit down and read my favorite blogs or their archives. At the end of the day, I’m astonished at how much I’ve accomplished in bits and pieces.
Diane
Wendy Irene says
August 12, 2010 at 4:40 pmgreat idea being super productive in a short amount of time!
Lisa says
August 13, 2010 at 1:38 pmI use commercial breaks to do exercises. It makes up for my being a couch potato when programming is on, and adds up to a nice daily total.
gertrud says
February 15, 2011 at 9:40 pmhi,
one of the cheapest routes to go is to send books and printed materials by media mail. Hope, that will help.
Enjoy your site. Gertrud
christine says
August 16, 2011 at 10:51 amOff the subject of cleaning in 5 minutes – but on the subject of Australian set books – Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan. I first “read” it at work as a book on tape. Then bought a paper copy for my Grandpap. Recently bought it for my Kindle and read it again. Talk about using what you have and forgoing worldly possessions!!
Jo-Ann says
August 16, 2011 at 11:05 amThat’s called multi-tasking haha or just plain having ADD and not being able to sit still. Either way, I think I might have the gene for both! Great tips !