Recently, I told my friend Carolyn that my dream was to be so organized that everything would just always be done--or that as soon as a piece of work came along, I could do it right then and be done with it. For example, if I got a bill in the mail, I would immediately pay it, file it, and be done (yes, I have one bill that still comes in the mail because there isn't the more efficient option of automatic draft). (*Disclaimer: My life is certainly not a top-notch model of efficiency, just ask my four kids.)
She said, "That sounds just like you--just like something you would wish for."
Perhaps she just knows me really well, and has spend enough time observing my borderline-OCD habits. Or perhaps it just happens to be one of the many topics we have discussed several times. Probably both.
I wasn't always this way, at least not in everything. I think part of it has come with wisdom, born out of the frustration of organizing the chaos--especially with a large family. Some of my ideas came from observing my sister-in-law Shalissa, because she is always one or two steps ahead of me in life, and several years wiser. Some of my ideas came from books that Shalissa recommended, which I have recommended to you before, and which I now proudly own. One is Lose 200 Lbs. This Weekend by Don Aslett, which is about de-cluttering and simplifying in the process. I <3 the ideas in this book. The other one is Make Your House Do the Housework, also by Don Aslett and Laura Aslett Simons. This one is about how you might design a home to cut down on the amount of time you spend cleaning. Even if you are not going to build your own home (but especially if you are), you can find plenty of ideas you can use to experience the same effect. And some of my motivation I acquired while reading Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank Bunker Gilbreth. This is a true story about a man who was an efficiency expert who applied his expertise at home. This idea fascinates me.
My hope is that I can figure out how to be so efficient that I can save so much time, and then I can focus on more important things. This argument is flawed in two ways. One is that I spend too much time figuring things out. And second, one of the most "important things" is to teach my children how to work. Which, as you may know, is not the most efficient way to get things done.
Well, anyway, here are a few things I have been thinking about in the realm of efficiency.
Laundry. Carolyn and I had a discussion about whether it was more efficient to have a "laundry day" or to try to do a load or two per day. Having a laundry day just sounds long to me. First of all, you have to be right on top the ending of each cycle to make the best use of time. However, the dryer and washer never end at the same time. You could make really efficient use of your waiting time by finding other chores to complete. This never works for me because I will inevitably get too focused on the other task and forget to rotate the laundry. I personally like to do one or two loads per day. That way, I don't have to be pressured by a time crunch. If I get engrossed with another task, it's okay. The laundry can wait another half hour. Of course the next step in the process could use a little work in efficiency as well. The most efficient thing would be to fold or hang the laundry as you pull it out of the dryer. And then the most efficient thing would be to immediately put it away. This could be more efficient if you have a space, like a laundry counter, to fold. And even more efficient if you could hand the clothes to your kids to put away by themselves. Novel idea. It would also be quite efficient to sort the dirty clothes as you go, but it would be even more efficient to have a sorting laundry shute. Next to the shower. See, you could undress and throw the clothes down the correctly labeled shute. You would eliminate the steps of 1. Put clothes in hamper, 2. take hamper to laundry room, 3. sort clothes.
Dishes. The most efficient way to accomplish this task is up for debate here. If you have a dishwasher, it makes sense to unload it first thing in the morning, or right before you go to bed the night before. Never let a dirty dish touch the sink--rinse it and load it straight into the empty dishwasher. Voila! And if you have an efficient dishwasher with high-quality detergent, even better. But would it take that much more effort to go ahead and just wash the dish by hand instead of just rinsing it? Dry it and put it away. Done and done. This is especially efficient because a medium-quality dishwasher costs about $375 (I know from recent experience) if you install it yourself (also a recent experience), and good quality detergent can be a hefty sum. Now, I know we're not talking finances here, and I'm no efficiency expert, but how many hours did Bryan have to work to provide the dishwasher, detergent, water, and energy to run the thing? Vs. how much does it cost to thoroughly wash by hand in a manner that disinfects properly (I know we're not talking health here, but that could add another cost, which would then cost more hours for Bryan to work, which is an efficiency issue, in a roundabout way)? Also, let's be realistic, sometimes the dishes just can't get done presently because "more important things" must be done. So a dishwasher is really nice. Rather, a nice dishwasher is really nice. (Does anyone need an (inefficient, old) dishwasher?)
Weeding. We have failed miserably this summer. Most efficient=weed a little every day. Then your yard won't look like ours.
Toilets. I hate toilets. But I finally decided to keep toilet cleaning apparatus on and near each toilet in the house. When it starts to smell (like, several times a week around here), I can just take 3 minutes to clean it right then and there.
Diapers. Have diaper changing materials on each level, and perhaps in several rooms. Grab the baby wherever he is, change him, done. And even if you have to chase him, you will still have changing materials close at hand.
Meal planning. Have a plan. Use perishables before expiration. Be efficient. Save money. I also make it a habit to take a meal that we like and try to figure out faster ways to prepare the same dish. If it can't meet my 30-minute criteria (for preparation), we just won't eat it as often.
15-minute-pick up. Each night before bed-and you can get the kids involved here-spend 15 minutes picking up each piece of the clutter and putting it in its spot (make sure that it has a spot--this is a very efficient principle). Also, wipe off the table and counters and sweep the floor. I find that if I start the day with a relatively clean house, I can easily maintain throughout the day.
What other ideas do you have for efficiency? Seriously, folks, I'm asking because I want to know!
1 comment:
Actually I am pleased to know I do most everything on your list here. 2 loads of laundry a day, always meal plan, unload my dishwasher in the morning. You are making me feel so efficient!
One thing I do that I love but you probably do too, is get clothes, backpacks, and lunches all done laid out the night before. That saves my life on those early school day mornings.
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