Get things done while waiting on spring
- Melinda Hill, OSU Extension Wayne County
- February 24, 2025
- 618
It’s been a long winter, and while I wish spring was just around the corner, I fear we have a few more weeks of winter weather. I’m thinking about some projects I didn’t get accomplished earlier but are on the radar now.
What’s a good way to get things done? Well, I’m certainly not the expert, but here are some tips that help me get focused so I can cross some things off my to-do list. See if any of these might be helpful to you.
Make a list
Make a list of projects or series of projects you would like to accomplish. A calendar works well for me to space out these projects with both time and money. Writing it down helps me commit to things each year I see as priorities and also can ask for help with the projects that are larger than I can do on my own. By scheduling additional help, I have a timeline that holds me accountable.
One at a time
I know the drawers in the kitchen and the bathroom need a good cleaning, so doing one drawer a week is a manageable task on my list. Going through the cupboards and reviewing the stored canned goods to rotate and use the older ones first is a great project for the children in your home. Cleaning out the storage cupboard is a great matching game as well (find the lid for each one).
Rainy day fun
Cleaning off the desk and doing filing are not my favorite tasks, but this is a great job for a rainy day. Kudos to those of you who keep up on this task on a monthly basis! Remember if you are doing any home projects to save those receipts. In the event you sell your home, those will be important to assist with evaluating the value.
Bigger things
The larger projects like painting will need to wait until I have two or three days in a row at home to clean things out, get ready for, paint and clean up. Purchasing the items needed ahead of time is helpful so that when I have the time, I can begin the work.
Chart it out
Things that need done on a regular basis such as laundry, dishes and cleaning also can be done with a calendar or chart. Sometimes laundry and dishes are a daily task while cleaning can wait until the weekends. Ideally, letting children help with these tasks is a great teaching tool, and delegation can help you get more accomplished in the time you have available.
A job chart or jar with chores on slips of paper in it are helpful to remind children they are part of a family and we need to work to get things done together. Remember not to redo what the children have done or they will quickly get the idea that “why should I do it when you will only redo it?” When you get a routine down, tasks are done quickly, and then there’s time for other fun things or outside obligations.
Do it today
Don’t procrastinate. Get the things you like to do the least done first. Don’t expect perfectionism and become organized so everyone knows where to put things so they can be found when they are needed. Whatever you’d like to do, just take a step and get started. Making the commitment is the first step.
Whatever your method for getting organized, take joy in the overall accomplishment. Looking forward and setting goals for the things to be done takes planning and strategy, along with time and finances. Have the conversation over a meal about what everyone would like to see done this year and put them into practice. What better time than today as a starting point?
Melinda Hill is an OSU Extension family and consumer sciences educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or hill.14@osu.edu.