Day Two - Scouts Motto - 'Be Prepared'

So, how did you go this morning? Is that bed made? The other perk to having the bed made is to reduce the temptation to creep back into it for 'just' another 15 minutes more!

Another great way to avoid that temptation is to make sure you are fully dressed and ready for the day. The moment you have slipped out of bed and made it - get yourself dressed and prepared for the day for top to toe. So, if you are not dressed and prepared for the day by completing your skin care routine, doing your hair and even putting on your shoes - then do it now! You can come back shortly to read on - it'll still be here.

“Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration!” - Thomas Alva Edison

Today, we are going to start dealing with the psychology of household management. We are going to deal today with the 1% of inspiration that can make or break your natural genius for finding the best way to manage your household.

One of the articles that has been added below is entitled 'The Psychology of Clothing'. It is not exactly on the topic of cleaning but from the article you can extrapolate why it is so important to get dressed in the morning. I must say I love the quote he included:

"I once over heard a sharp dressed gentleman tell another person, you dress your body how you dress your mind." - Jay Arrington

This is why it is so important to dress as if you were going to work. Of course, friends have joked that it's time to go and buy themselves a French Maid's outfit but that is not quite what I meant. Be sure to dress yourself in a way that motivates you to get work done. For me this includes having my bright red Rockport walking shoes, my flat business shoes or my heels on. Of course, I pick whatever is most practical for the tasks of the day but I can guarantee that if I am working in my office then I get twice as much done if I am in my heels! So have a read of the article and share your thoughts with us.

From now on I expect that when you jump onto our web site that you will be personally prepared from top to toe - okay? And don't forget to make your bed!

De-cluttering

De-cluttering is an ongoing process and one that you need to get into a habit of doing so that your home doesn't look like the local rubbish tip. Still focussed on the bedroom I have four things that I want you to do. I call it the rule of 64 and it starts with:

• picking up 16 things and putting them straight in the rubbish bin,
• packing up 16 things for the second hand store, Freecycle,or other group, and
• putting away 16 things where they actually belong,
• selecting 16 things that are no longer in regular use to be archived into storage.

It should take just 5 minutes to do. Too easy, am I right? If you think finding those 5 minutes is too hard - we have included an article just for you below also. It is entitled 'The 5-Minute Productivity Breakthrough'. Enjoy the read.

I also have one other task for you to do with a view to the longer term. I want for you to take all of your hanging clothes and swap the hangers around so that they are facing backwards. As you return worn and washed items to the wardrobe put its hanger the correct way around again. This will help you out down the track.

So, your plan for tomorrow.

• Make your bed,
• get dressed from head to heel,
• de-clutter the nominated room
• face the new challenge of the day ahead.

How are you coping with all this? Let us know before you head to Day Three.