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| I'm making a list of jobs, tasks, activities that can be done in 15 minutes and wondered if anyone here has had success trying to get in the habit of squeezing in small 15 minute jobs throughout the week? And what kind of jobs have you found easy to do in 15 minutes?
I've been looking at lists online and some suggestions seem un-doable to me. For instance, vacuuming ONE room. Yes, that is do-able, but if I'm going to pull out the vacuum, I'm going to get a significant amount done. And not do one room and have to drag it out 8 times in a week. Someone suggested giving a dog a bath in 15 minutes and I was just picturing the mess after I was done that would take another 15 minutes. I'm thinking.... Clean out a drawer
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by marymarymaryk (My Page) on Thu, Oct 25, 12 at 14:06
| Most of these don't even take 15 minutes, but it's what popped into my head: Shred receipts |
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| Make your bed. Clean the toilet Clean the bathroom sink Clean the kitchen sink Empty the dishwasher Dust a room (depending on what's in the room) Clear off desk top Wash the cat's food bowl Hand launder unmentionables Tidy a room (put everything away, take things that belong elsewhere to the room they belong) Take stuff out of the freezer for dinner Sort recycling Go through 1 file folder and toss outdated papers |
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| Load the dishwasher Take out the garbage Send a greeting card Take the trash out of the car Start a load of laundry Change the bed Plan clothes for tomorrow and set out, along with accessories Make one lunch Take donation bag/box and put into car Pay a bill online Call someone you love and tell them so Make up a bank deposit Check in on this forum! Barbara |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 (My Page) on Thu, Oct 25, 12 at 17:10
| Go thru the medicine cabinet and weed it out Iron one shirt Stretching to music Squats, Push Ups and Free Weights After soaking, clean the drip pans on the stove Fill one birdfeeder Deadhead flowers Rinse and refill birdbaths Go through photo software and weed photos you don't want, tag, rate, and describe photos |
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| Clean the cat litter box Change the kitchen trash bag Straighten a closet Throw in a load of laundry Sweep a room (hardwood floors) Swifter under a bed Dust a bookcase Clean a window |
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| I timed my "salmon chowder" prep today. In 15 minutes I... - Set out the two pans (stew pot and saute pan) The timer rang.---------- In the next 15 minutes or less, I ... - poured the broth, water, spices, leeks, corn, remaining butter, potatoes, and salmon in with the browned onions, popped the lid on, and set it to simmer. - Tossed out the trash, set dishes to soak, put the spices and utensils away - and then poured the milk into the chowder. Supper is done! |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 (My Page) on Sun, Oct 28, 12 at 15:16
| Oh....I'm so happy to hear someone is experimenting with timing tasks. I am planning on doing that this week too. Your Chowder recipe sounds good and I'm always looking for a new way to eat Salmon. Thanks |
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- Posted by cupofkindness (My Page) on Sun, Oct 28, 12 at 17:14
| Speaking of 15 minute increments for tackling small jobs, has anyone found a good timer besides the one on an appliance? Flylady's timer looks good, I especially appreciate the words "You can do anything for 15 minutes" on the timer, but would prefer a wind-up timer to an electronic one. However, I have found that these seem to break after a while. My Westminister chiming mantle clock is the best thing I've got right now... I must admit that it's wonderful. I can clean a fairly dirty kitchen in 15 minutes if the day is young... not so at nighttime which is an incentive to clean as I go or else I wake up to dinner dishes the next morning. Thanks for any recommendations about timers! |
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- Posted by sheilaaus122 (My Page) on Wed, Oct 31, 12 at 18:03
| What a great thread- and I too love using the timers. I have been amazed that one of my most dreaded tasks,(and I have no clue why but it irks me) is emptying the dishwasher and putting everything away. When I have timed it, it usually takes less than 5 minutes. (so now I don't hate it as much). Its funny because I used to procrastinate it and now I think oh its a nothing task. I especiallylike the timer for sorting through things like photos or a drawer. You really can accomplish something in 15 minutes!! Combined with the timer, I think it was flylady who also had a system where you would neaten by collecting a certain number of objects to either toss or put back in their correct places. (a nice one for me with reading materials, mail, stuff that "accumulates".) |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 (My Page) on Thu, Nov 1, 12 at 6:13
| cupofkindness, I've used a small digital timer in the past. I still have it. It is battery operated, and has a clip to attach it to your clothing or anywhere in a room to make it visible. It allows you to set it for 15 minutes or set it to start running at zero and shut it off when you are done to see how long something takes. I'm pretty sure I bought mine locally at a Target or such and it was about $5. I see they have a selection at Amazon. The link is for the one I have. I've used it for over 3 years, intermittently. I don't see the 'clip' part of it, but that is what the face of it looks like. If you don't like the digital timer, all I can think of is an egg timer? |
Here is a link that might be useful: Taylor Timer
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- Posted by talley_sue_nyc (My Page) on Thu, Nov 1, 12 at 15:57
| -fold one basket of laundry a lot of these, though, are more like 10 minutes. I think I'm going to start timing some of the things I want to do in the house--it'll motivate me to actually do them. I may come back with a 7-minute list! |
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| I was just thinking about this yesterday what a great thread. Years and years ago Woman's Day or Family Circle had an article "twenty minute jobs" I never forgot the concept.Thanks all printing the suggestions out |
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| Couldn't resist compiling a list (5 minutes) After soaking, clean the drip pans on the stove |
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| Another idea Take a pic of the project/area first then take an after fun |
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| Have to add two which I did today Clear off top of Kitchen sink Clear off dining room/kitchen table |
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- Posted by prairiemoon2 (My Page) on Sat, Nov 10, 12 at 6:45
| Thanks Minnie for Compiling the List...good idea. :-) Ok, I'll add a few more I've done since I posted last.... Soak & Scrub out the Wastebaskets |
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| I'll add them to the list later .. having the list in front of me helps too.. I have agreat one o add |
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