Articles Parenting - General MITs and a Stay at Home Mum
| MITs and a Stay at Home Mum |
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| Thursday, 17 January 2008 14:10 | |
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I've become an avid reader of the Zen Habits blog. I really enjoy Leo's thought's on simplicity and organisation.
However, many of the habits he encourages aren't necessarily suited to the life of a stay at home mum (SAHM). Zen Habits is a blog focusing on achieving goals, productivity, being organized, GTD, motivation, eliminating debt, saving, getting a flat stomach, eating healthy, simplifying, living frugal, parenting, happiness, and successfully implementing good habits. Leo's posts are generally great and quite practical. Implementing them in my own life has proven difficult, however. The life of a SAHM is very different to that of a working adult/parent. One of the recommended habits is the MIT or Most Important Task. The premise is simple, choose a task (or two or three) that are the biggest priority to get done that day. Then do them first thing. You will have all your important tasks completed ASAP and you will feel you have achieved something in the day, providing yourself with encouragement. The focused time on the tasks also increases productivity. As a SAHM when does my day start? A working adult has a distinct start to their working day - when they get to their place of employment. When does my day start as a SAHM? Well, in many ways, it starts as soon as I wake. I have a baby to breastfeed, breakfast to make for everyone, my DH's lunch to make (if I haven't the night before)... you get the picture. Does it start once I have all my basic housework tasks completed and everyone is dressed? What happens on those days when basic housework tasks and caring for my children take up the whole day? I have begun to implement the concept of choosing three MITs each morning, and most days I get them completed. I have abandoned my normal to do list and am finding that the housework is generally getting done (probably about 90% of what normally gets done/needs to get done... so I do need to improve there). I am also finding that I am getting some worthwhile work (and play) done. I am working towards goals I have set for the year and a list of things I'd like to do before I die. I usually try to choose my three MITs so that one works towards the years goals, one works towards my list of things to do before I die and allow myself to place one important housework task on my MIT list. I am finding some success with implementing this, but I still struggle with the "finer points" of implementing it. |
