Sanity, 3 things at a time

cabbagepatch · #1 October 7th, 2010, 10:43 AM

I love lists and schedules for housework but my usual routine wasn't working with a newborn. So I came up with a 3 things at a time plan. I keep a running mental list of the next three things I'm going to do.
If the baby is awake and I'm walking her I think of three things I can do while doing that. I think of three quick things to do in the few minutes after a change when she's calm and quiet. During naps I still think just three at a time.
It's been working wonderfully for me! It gives me something to think about during feedings and walking the baby. Planned work goes extremely fast! And I always fit in meals, drinks, snacks, time with my older kids, bathroom trips and getting out of my pj's which is way better than I did with my other babies!

redbirds · #2 October 7th, 2010, 03:00 PM

Love this idea! I've got a million things I need to do, but partializing into 3's seems very realistic

RunningWithBoys · #3 October 7th, 2010, 04:45 PM

I love small achievable goals. I usually start the day with just 2 things NOT baby related to have done by the day. I have accomplished that everyday but one. Whooo hooo!

Happy Song · #4 October 9th, 2010, 08:00 AM

Great IDEA! Fly Lady has been helping me but I am almost completely off my routine.

cabbagepatch · #5 October 9th, 2010, 08:41 AM

I just thought it might help someone else to post what was working for me. My mind has a tendency to race ahead to the next 20 things that need to be done. All moms probably do that! Normally I would write down those 20 things but that isn't an option these days. So I give myself permission to temporarily forget anything above the current three. I'll probably go back to my normal routine in a month or two but for now I love the 3 plan!

~Kris~ · #6 October 9th, 2010, 08:59 AM

My sister saw my to do list the other day and she totally made fun of me because some things I break down into times-like 5 minutes of filing papers, 15 minutes of working on the kids' digital scrapbook, etc. But setting small goals for some of that stuff encourages me to make sure I at least get started on it and ofen I go over the minutes I set. Plus it is easier to find 5-15 minute blocks of time than say an hour, you know? Then over the course of the week, the time adds up.

I also try to do the most important things on the list first and leave the other "want to" things for last.