It can be SO hard to stay on top of the daily clutter in our lives. We spend all weekend getting the house “just so” only have it all fall apart by Tuesday.
There’s a simple tool that can help. It’s called the 20/20/20. Here, I’m going to teach you how it works AND I’m going to give you a worksheet that you can print out to create your own.
Here’s how it works. Each day, around the same time, you’re gonna set a timer for 20 minutes for three separate chunks of time: Reset, Prep and Rest.
Chunk 1: Reset from the day (20 minutes)
Take this time to “reset” and clean up from the day’s activities. This might include things like:
Putting folded laundry away
Washing the dishes and wiping the counters
Emptying lunchboxes
Putting dirty laundry in the hamper
Taking paperwork out of backpacks
Putting bills in your “needs attention” folder
Putting toys away (Tip: I tell my daughter that I will donate whatever she doesn’t put away. #truestory)
Chunk 2: Prep for tomorrow (20 minutes)
Take this time to mitigate any snags the next day. You might do things like:
Pick out outfits (like work scrubs or your work-at-home sweatpants for the next day)
Pack lunches, or get the lunch supplies ready
Put out cereal bowls and cereal
Take out something to defrost for dinner tomorrow
Check the calendar and the weather
Put any important paperwork or supplies in backpacks and purses
Chunk 3: Rest and/or primp (20 minutes)
This is where everybody gets to reap the rewards. The kids have been a big help, so reward them.
Make yourself a cup of tea or pour a glass of wine
Take a hot shower
Do some relaxing skin care, like a face mask or exfoliating face wash
Give your nails some love
Let the kids play some video games or have a favorite treat
Do some reading
Surf Instagram
And that’s it! On paper, it may seem like a lot, but once you get moving, time flies. And, if you think about it, if you start at 7:00 pm, by 7:40 pm, you have a clean, clutter-free house and a steaming cup of tea in front of you.
Pro tips:
Get the family involved. Decide who does what during the 20/20/20. Print a separate worksheet for each family member.
Make it fun. Put on music. Try to beat the timer.
Don’t overdue it. When the timer stops, you stop. You can do the rest tomorrow.
By the time Friday rolls around, you will have kept on top of things and you won’t be planning to clean your house ALL WEEKEND.
Soooo, what are you waiting for?! Download your worksheet now! Please note that it’s THREE pages, because I’ve included a sample 20/20/20 to give you lots of ideas, plus some tips to make it work for you.
To download, just enter your email below. (If you’re already on my list, don’t worry - you won’t be added twice!)
Want MORE tips like this? Watch my FREE masterclass and learn all about my new Organized Every Day course. Let’s simplify life FOR GOOD.
