Wondering what Mommy Homework is??? Each week you will have an “assignment” here to share in our comments here on this site. You will love this-both sharing AND enjoying answers by others. Some of them, I compile into an ebook (contributors can resell as a product of their own–be sure to submit your email and full name when you register so I can credit you appropriately!).
The result is AWESOME!
We get to know each other…we are encouraged in our journey…and we glean super ideas from other great moms!
Ready for this week’s MH? This is a good one!
Our topic this week is “Procrastination Attack!”
Your Assignment This Week…
Oh! I am SO, SO excited about this topic. I am working on a project that actually could use some fresh ideas on how YOU deal with procrastination. Sooooo, this week we are going to use this as our topic for Mommy Homework. It should be SUPER!
So, let’s jump in (don’t procrastinate!) and SHARE 5 things that you do to attack procrastination and get things done. Be sure to use DIFFERENT ideas so we get some amazing tips!
Sound good to you too? Oh! This will be FUN!
Have fun! This should be a super assignment to read. I can’t wait! 
DIG IN!
I can’t wait!
Love ya!
Cindy
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Deadline–Friday at midnight CST.
I am sooooo guilty of procrastination. It seems to go in streaks with me though. Sometimes I am just on top of the game and feel so productive and then other times I seem to be in a slump. It feels so good to get things done, so I wish that I could stay that way or be that way more of the time. Some things that have helped me to get going are:
Taking bite size pieces of jobs that need to be done.
When I am working with the kids to go through their rooms and organize, we usually will assign one of the four walls to get through that day. This seems to be a better way for us to get it done together and not seem too overwhelming to them.
Making a list to cross things out. This helps me to actually see on paper what I am getting done. I usually include all the jobs, little or big, and that way I can see it moving.
If I am doing things to clean up or organize in the house, I have to have the same mindset as working with the kids in their rooms. Either take one wall at a time or break it done to this bookshelf or that bookshelf.
Once everything is organized in the house, the feeling that you have is so much better. You wonder why it can’t be that way more of the time.
These are just a few things that I can think of right now. I am anxious to see others ideas and hopefully it will spur something on in me also.
Julie Bertsch
One way I handle doing a task I either don’t want to do, or am busy with other things (like this time of year the garden) is to….
1. Write it down in as little or as much detail as I need to.
2. Break it down into smaller tasks or if it will take a few days, a goal or progress chart.
3. Number each task, 1-Important, 2-need to, 3-can wait.
4. Dellegate, which is also my plan of attack.
5. Attack-this may mean roll up my sleeves and go at it until it is done, or depending on my time, doing what is most important, then the other tasks as numbered or as time allows.
Right now I may have to slip “water the seedlings” into my list or “plant things in the ground”, so prioritizing my to do’s is key for me. This way I can still get the dishes done, which I will tend to put off to go outside, and plant the garden. With a half acre garden, we need to stop and take a look at the whole picture and see what can be done by daylight and what can wait until dusk or before bedtime. This also gets dinner on the table at a reasonable hour.
Note: the “can wait “things stay on the list, or move to a new list and move up in priority so they get done.
I procrasinate a lot esp on housework 😉 my top five for ways to attck it are:
1. A weekly to do list – this way I see what have to do for the week and I can attack those little things that I forget about like watering the plants. I can take a few minutes and do a couple of those little jobs that I forget about while waiting on hold or waiting for the kids to finish an assignment. I alsolove to cross things off gives me a sense of accomplishment and a knowing that I am not just spinning my wheels.
2. Daily to do list – this one is the stuff that absolutely must be done that day (like during a birthday week I break down the cleaning to certain days of the week, cake baking to another, cake decorating to another, etc.) Spring cleaning week(s) I break all tasks down to a different day(s) so I know exactly what I need to do each day. This way I get to cross things off athe lists and have soemthign to show dh when he asks me what I did all day! 😉
3. I have three calendars for appointments one in my purse, one by my desk, one in the kitchen I write everything on all of them that way I know I will look at at least one of them (they have everything from bill pay dates, to appointments, library book due dates, to birthdays, etc on them)
4. I sit down and make a list for grocery shopping when I cut my coupons otherwise I forget to make the list then I put the coupons in my coupon binder and return it to the car (otherwise it gets lost and I forget it) the list goes ont he fridge for everyone to add to it as necessary.
5. I do not over-schedule us. When I over-schedule all of us for activities, appointments, etc I forget things really quickly and nothing gets done but the appointments or activities. My rule of thumb is no more than 2 things per week (this week is ds’ school testing required by our state and our library trip) I have enough to do around the house with homeschooling, homemaking, etc that too many activities stretches me too thin…I learned this the hard way. The week(s) I am spring cleaning I schedule NOTHING else because that type of cleaning is hard enough without all the running around too. The week(s) we plant the garden, open the pool and clean the garage (an annual thing aroud here all winter long things get shoved in there along with my van and by spring it needs a thorough clena out!) we do nothing but those things (other than basic laundry, basic homeschooling and basic laundry), Right now my kids have few outside of the house activities by our choice if they decide to have outside activites it will be ONE per child and no more than 1 time each PER week! This is something dh and I decided a long time ago when we saw all our friends with kids running all the time with no time for family activities because they were chauffering one child here and another one there!
Mary Damask
Procrastination Attack! My speciality. Ways I try and overcome my biggest demon.
1. Pray, for the strength and guidance I need to complete a task that I find unpleasant (or just lengthy).
2. Get my mp3 player with a good book or podcast ready to keep me company.
3. List the items I must finish to have accomplished the task.
4. Post the list with the children’s to do list.
5. Hold myself to the same standard that I hold my children too.
I was not taught to do many of the things that I need for daily life as a wife and mother. I am trying to teach my children the things they need to not have the same issues with procrastination and dawdling that I have. Sometimes I just need to remember that I still need training and be humble enough to ask the Lord to help me learn as a child, with my children.
1. I do the task I procrastinate most / enjoy least first. That way it gets done. Otherwise I will put it off indefinitely.
2. I reward myself for accomplishing things on my to do list.
3. I notebook my life so I know what has to be done, when. With six kids, a husband, homeschooling, doing conferences, teaching at an enrichment center, being a pastor’s wife, grading online for SAT’s, working with my publisher, soccer practices for kids, and more, I have to compartmentalize and organize and notebooking is the only way to do it for me. I love Cindy’s notebooking/organization materials!!! They are a lifesaver.
4. MOST ESSENTIAL – BEGINNING THE DAY WITH TIME WITH GOD. IF I DON’T DO THIS FIRST MY ENTIRE SCHEDULE WILL BE OUT OF WHACK!!!!
5. If I do procrastinate on a task, and end up in a panic as a deadline approaches, I can’t blam anyone but myself – I can’t take it out on my family. It’s not their fault that I procrastinated.
Oh, this is such a good topic:
I think my worst problem with procrastination is being overwhelmed, feeling like there is more to do than I can accomplish. So this is how I beat procrastination.
1. Having a plan. Having a plan for the tasks that need to be done on a regular basis helps. I know that some things can miss a day or a week, but other things, like menu planning, need to be done or everyone suffers. Having a plan keeps a lot of things that need doing from floating around in my brain and getting lost.
1. Keep a list, not really a list for today, just a list to get it out of my brain. Then when I am trying to think of what to do next, it is all there instead of cluttering up my head with an I’ve got too much to do feeling.
2. Use my timer, this works with the kids too. . .I set my timer and tell myself I only have to work on it for 15 minutes. Some days I will just do a 15 minute day: 15 minutes off my list, 15 minutes to play, repeat all day.
3. I turn on my computer speakers or my iPod with some great music or some great audios (Mom-to-Mom Radio, anyone?) That helps me to get busy.
4. I will twitter that I am about to go do something and that I will check in when done. Nothing like putting myself on the spot.
5. And my new favorite, think about how whatever I need to do is a way to spoil my sweet hubby. Cleaning the kitchen spoils my dh because I know I will feel more like cooking his favorite goodies in a clean kitchen. Dusting regularly helps with dh’s allergies. . . .
For me getting things done snowballs. Once I get started and start having accomplishments for the day, I feel really good about what is being accomplished and that causes me to be excited about accomplishing more.
I use lists as well, but usually I:
1. Tackle the thing I really DO NOT want to do first, to get it out of the way. That helps.
2. Think of something rewarding to do after my list is done. (Read a few chapters of a book, etc.)
3. Make a list of “5 minute” things and do them during commercials. 😀
4. Eat well. If I haven’t eaten very well or very much, I tend to procrastinate a lot more.
5. Push myself. Sometimes that’s all you can do – just make yourself do it.
One of my newest ways of avoiding prognosticating over tasks is to pick the “right” time to do something:-
The right time to read the bible with my boys is right after breakfast – so it can renew their minds all day (if its before breakfast it is harder to hold their attention). Also if something comes up and something has to be left out it wont be God’s word!
The right time to clean my family room is on a Monday afternoon – why because my husband is in bed after completing his 4 night week. Then when he gets up the place he will spend most of his free time on his days off is in good shape.
The right time to plan my menus and shopping list is on Monday evening – why because I can do it while I relax with hubby and the boys as they watch a movie or something in the family room.
The right time to do the shopping is Tuesday – why because my hubby is off work (and not asleep) and most of the local markets are on that day! Also I go to a prayer meeting on Tuesday evening and because I have been shopping I am already dressed for the great outdoors (You have to have done homeschool in your pj’s to get that one lol).
The right time to do the laundry and lesson preparation is on Wednesday – why because that is everyone else’s day off!! (my boys have Wednesday and Sunday off from school work).
The right time to do the bedrooms is on Thursday – why because if I am going to be husbandless in the bedroom for 4 nights then it should as least be as pleasant as possible in there!!
The right time to clean the bathroom (minus tub) is when the little one is playing in the bath.
There are so many thing which are easier if you just find the right time to do them.
Have visitors come and see you often………….if possible have regular days when people come and see you – it is very inspiring when it comes to fighting the dust bunnies.
Have pretty things………… I don’t mean expensive things just things you like ……….you will want to do your housekeeping so that you can see them properly!!
Treat your self to some me time when you have completed a dreaded task – for me that is bible study, sewing and reading (the me time that is not the dreaded task hee hee).
And last but not least next time you tackle a “dreaded task” write down how you felt afterwards………..then next time whip it out and read it ………….because you WILL want to feel like that again!
Love and Blessings
Angela Marchington
Hmmm…
Open the curtains and let the sunshine in!
Open the windows and let the fresh air in (if it is warm enough).
Turn on some music to work to (the type of music will depend on the task or my mood).
Recruit help or delegate for portions of job.
Do the smallest portion first.
~ Rachel Stevens
Wow! I am the queen of procrastination. Here is what I do:
1. Set a timer for 15 minutes. At the end of the 15 minutes I can take a 15 minute break, but usually I see how much I got done in so little time and keep resetting itfor 15 more minutes.
2. If I have a lot to do, I will frequently get someone to take my daughters. This motivates me to clean and organize because I can do it more efficiently when I have no distractions.
3. If my house is my major problem, I will invite people over for dinner or cards so I am forced to clean my house.
4. I haven’t done this yet, but I plan to make little cards of many things that I need to do, some that are only one time, others that are repeated frequently. Then each day, week, etc. draw one out and just do it.
5. Last, I have a list of household things that need to be done on a monthly or so basis. Things like cleaning windows, dusting baseboards, making laundry detergent, etc. I have a list numbered 1-31 and each day of the month I have one of those chores listed. I have them broken down by area, so, for example I don’t have to wash all the windows, just the two living room windows. This really breaks down some of the things you would like to do around your house, but the task seems so hard that you don’t ever do them.
Hope this helps. I look forward to reading all the other ideas.
Shannon Depew
I don’t know how effective these ideas are, I have yet to put any of them into action cause I keep procrastinating on it! Nonetheless, here are my ideas-
Make a list- I love the lists that people were making up a few years ago of 101 things to do in 1001 days. If you don’t write it down it wont get done.
Take your list and break it down into smaller steps.
Determine to do each little baby step in a reasonable amount of time.
Use someone to help you stay accountable. Have them check with you every week or so to make sure you are on track with your baby steps.
Set up a loose routine/schedule so you know that you have certain hours each day to work on your list/goals.
If you have a big project that needs to get done then put aside normal stuff- housework, homeschooling- for a set period of time in order to concentrate on getting the project done.
Kate
Although I haven’t read all the previous posts yet and I am sure many people have shared this but my number 1 thing is…
1. Write it Down
then…
2. Try to mark something of my list each day at the bare minimum
3. Keep a calendar of family/church activities
4. Pray for the Lord’s help (not necessarily after you do 1, 2 and 3 either!)
5. Make and USE lists for things like a household schedule, chores, morning and bedtime routines etc
I am sure my ideas have already been said but maybe the more they are mentioned people who struggle with this area will really get the importance of them.
Lori Duncan
1. I post inpirational verses/phrases/pictures around the house in key places. For example right now this is what is posted around the house:
I have this phrase:
“Nobody makes it to the end of their dreams and visions if they won’t do what’s hard when they don’t feel like it”
coupled with this verse:
“So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you may do, do all for the honor and glory of God.” 1 Cor. 10:31
and on that same page is a picture of a serene/cozy family room, neat tidy and organized with a cozy fire in the fireplace.
This reminds me that even though I don[‘t feel like it, I am cleaning my house and making it a haven for the glory of God.
2. I give my kids special permission to nag/harass me! The absolutely love this. I am a pretty scatterbrained ditz most of the time, so when I really need something accomplished and I keep getting distracted I give my kids special permission to keep bugging me about it. They get cute and creative about the ways they try to “Motivate Mommy” And I make sure they understand this is a special situation and not the norm.
3. I reward myself for finishing a task, for example my dd b-day is Sat. The neighbors are coming over and one of their daughters is spending the night.. My house is a disaster (me feeling aweful coupled with dh having major surgery and a long recovery so I am playing nurse too right now!), and Friday I need to decorate her cake ( a princess castle) so I will set certain tasks and when I finish those tasks I get 15 min. on the computer to research cake decorating ideas.
4.Listen to MP3’s on cleaning and organizing, or on being a Virtous wife and mother, a little reminder of how much I truly fall short, will bring me to my knees and set my mind onto what the Lord expects of me!
5.I too will set a timer. One of my main reasons is with Fibromyalgia/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, if I know I only have to do whatever for 15 min I work faster to get it done and I know there is an end when I am feeling like I’ve been hit by a truck (which is most of the time!)
I will also use my timer for for 15 min. on my feet, then 15 min off (b/c my feet often hurt pretty bad). So I might gather stuff to go through or laundry to fold or whatever for 15 min, then sit down and go through the stuff for the next 15 min.
Have a great week ladies! I’d better go quite procrastinating and clean!
Sherri
Well, I don’t think I have anything new and different to add – everyone else has some great ideas!
I, too, procrastinate with the best of ’em!
1. Lists really help me – to do lists help keep me on track, it does not feel good to look at a page with hardly anything checked off.
2. I use a bill chart in a notebook – at the end of each month I check my online accounts and write down how much has to be paid and when – this helps keeps me on track for paying bills on time. I also add the balances of each account – it feels good to see them decrease.
3. I do things in chunks of time. I get overwhelmed very easily so it helps to say I am going to do something for 15 or 30 minutes and then allow myself a break. Sometimes I find that I go over my time period because I have gotten into the groove.
4. I, too, use music when I need to get/stay motivated to clean. It makes the time pass and I focus on the music instead of the task I do not want to complete.
5. I ask someone to take the kids, even if it’s for an hour, so I can concentrate on what needs to be done.
Thanks,
Heather (TGMama)
I struggle so much with procrastination, but God is helping me to grow in this area. Here are some things that help me:
1. Make a list of what needs to be done. Some times my list is general and sometimes it’s very specific, but I take a few minutes to dump everything that’s spinning around in my head onto paper so I don’t worry about forgetting something. It also helps eliminate the standing in the middle of the room thinking “What was I supposed to do now?” 🙂
2. Share with someone what I’m planning to do — whether it’s telling my husband what I’m doing that day or sharing with a friend on the phone or on a message board and asking them to check back with me to see if I followed through. Accountability works! 😉
3. Eliminate distractions. Television, phone calls, internet are enemies of my productivity!
4. Get started early. I’m a morning person, so the more I can get done in the morning, the better!
5. Establish routines. This is a work in progress, but we are working on simple routines for our morning, and when we follow it, our day is much more productive.
I look forward to gleaning from others on this topic!
I guess my procrastination problem is a bit different than some of you ladies. I’m generally okay on the small, daily stuff because it gets under my skin if it doesn’t get done. My problem is the bigger, non-regular stuff. So here’s what’s helping so far:
1) Make a list of every big project I can think of, then divide them into related groups. Give each group fun title or theme. Just makes it sound better!
2) Assign each month one of those titles. Two to a month for smaller groups.
3) Break all of the things in each group down into smaller pieces each month. Create a supplies list as I do this.
4) Get the month’s supplies all in one shot so they all are on hand for the month. (Well, within reason. Don’t buy things that will go bad in the mean time, but be sure to write down on the calendar to shop later for those things.)
5) On the calendar, assign one task to each day of the month when it is feasible to get something done. (Science fair day would be a bad day to plan much else, for example!)
Bobbi Beeson
YUG! I procrastinate far to much. I think some of my problem is that I “think” I need to do stuff that I’ve not really been called to do, then I have no desire to do it. Also sometimes I volunteer to do things without consulting my DH, especially when I know/think he would say no. Then I’m stuck doing something that I shouldn’t be doing instead of doing what I actually need to be doing! I”m so like Paul! Romans 7:15, 19
I make a weekly list then divide it into daily lists, trying not to overload any one day- leaving “flex” time.
I try to follow a routine- I’m still in the process of getting a daily routine nailed down but I do have a loose weekly routine.
Get the kids involved-deligate-daily chore time- still a work in progress
I also have one big project list- that will take me a year(or less) to complete. I have this taped to my kitchen cabinet-
I prefer have a list like this that I can work on throughout the year. This way if something BIG happens ( like your husband getting in a motorcycle accident) I step away from the deep cleaning for a while, to cleaning a drawer or two when I have time. I don’t like being told “This week you must do ( whole list of things) in the Living Room”
What if we have doctor appointments, or other outside activities that make deep cleaning the whole living room impossible? But I might have time to wash the windows one day and dust the baseboards later in the week.
~Spring Blessings~
Marni
I will have to get back to you on this- after I am done procrastinating about doing it.
Sheri Hagemann
I’m such a procrastinator, and I just about have to deadlines breathing down my neck to get things done. But I always do well when other people are depending on me and I do get things done then! It’s just when I have to set my own schedule that I have trouble.
My mother is a planner, and I have always driven her crazy with my ‘waiting to the last minute to get things done.’ But I have learned that if I even set deadlines for myself…and WRITE THEM DOWN…I will pay attention to them. It’s a little trick I have to play on my own self!
Also, I have started doing one of Cindy’s suggestions and I am making monthly goals for myself.For example, this month I want to concentrate on plowing through our extra room that we use for storage. It’s PIT! But this IS the month for that room!!
I am trying to develop the habit of FOCUS. But once again, it is imperative for me to WRITE THINGS DOWN. It’s the only way for me!
Blessings,
Amy O.
Well, you are talking to the queen of procrastination! At least I used to be. I am much better now but still not quite there.
I have found some things though that really do help.
1. You have to get your heart into it. This is something that I learned from reading Ministering to the Heart of your Child.
I realized that when my heart wasn’t really into whatever it was that I was doing, I would just keep putting it off.
I saw things in a new light and realized that God wants me to be cheerful and grateful about things like the housekeeping and homeschooling!
That makes me want to do things better knowing that it pleases God.
2. Another big thing I have found that really helps is that when there is something to be done, just get the mindset that if you will just hurry and get it done it will soon be over! LOL
But really, if I will just hurry and do the job or set a timer for me and the kids and see how much we can get done in a short amount of time, it works wonders!
3. If you are procrastinating because it is a repeat job that never seems to stay the way you want it, sit down and really try to see what the problem is and see if you can get some sort of organizational tools or containers to help you keep it up that way it wont be so daunting.
4. Call a friend and tell them you need motivation! This can really help. If you feel like you can’t do it or don’t have the motivation, let your friends help motivate you or even come over and help you with whatever it is that you are procastinating about!
5. Picture the end result! Just think about how much better you will feel when it is done! You will feel better and things will look better and then just try to daily maintain it so that it doesn’t get back to the point where you are procrastinating about it.
I have learned a lot over the past year from Cindy of how to not be a procrastinator. I have learned to look at things of which should be the highest priority and write them in a column to do ASAP, the next area would be what needs to be done in the next week, the next is what needs to be done within the month. Things like cleaning certain parts of the house that doesn’t show, like my sewing room, I put off on a list to do within a longer time like a 3 month goal and then as I get other things done I move those items to one of the other list so that I make sure to get it accomplished.
I keep a calendar of all the have to things for each day and all of the appointments that we have on my computer calendar. Then once a month I try to print out a calendar of the next month so that everyone can see what is coming and what needs to be done.
I am trying to learn more about being able to not put off what needs to be done today until tomorrow. I know some things don’t matter and I am trying to make sure that I allow God to lead me in the right way.
Blessings,
Orilla Crider
Ha! When I feel too overwhelmed or try to do things “just perfectly” I become the master procrastinator!
I remember the days of staying up way too late trying to finish a project that was do at school the next morning. I even sometimes have dreams about not getting those projects turned in…that is just crazy!
Here is what I do to try not to get too overwhelmed and then just try to give up by procrastinating.
1. I do not make very many commitments to activities/projects outside of my home. I have a limit of 1 extra commitment per a year only. I pray about the one that I am going to commit to for that year. I have to remember that my mission field is my family! One way that helps me avoid committing to please other people is by letting them know that I need to speak with my husband before making a decision. He knows me best, and knows that too much is too overwhelming not just for me, but for our family.
2. Make LISTS! Lots and lots of lists (and then keep them in 1 safe spot so you don’t lose them and then end up writing on your hand with a Sharpie to keep you sane…can you tell that I have been there???)
I have a couple of running lists. Things to do today, this week, this month, and in the future. Lists of just my crazy thoughts, so I get them down on paper.
3. Prioritize, do the things that need to be done in the order that they need to be completed.
4. Take baby steps–a flylady method–do things a little at a time. I also love some of her other methods, clean for 15 minutes a day (using a timer), clean quickly, doesn’t have to be perfect, to bless your family, etc.
5. Give yourself some grace and accept your limitations…you don’t have to do it perfectly!
6. Menus help our family tremendously.
7. We have one big family calendar with all of the important dates on it.
8. We love ROUTINES, not schedules in our home. This seems to help us be flexible when needed, but gives us the consistency that we need.
9. Take care of yourself! Take a break!
10. My KEY to avoiding procrastination is to plan ahead and avoid being overwhelmed!
I missed this one. I have so many things on my list for the period of Feb.21 to April 11 that I had no time to actually look at anything else. Especially if everything on the list is to be completed. I am 90% done.
Plus I was just approached about several income opportunities from home that are interesting but I have to pray about them. Nothing can take a way from my God and my Family.
Blessings
Lisa