Some women are amazing mess-tacklers. They can rush into the center of a home disaster or an organizational nightmare and whip it into shape with incredible zeal and focus.
Me? Not so much.
It’s not that I’m incapable of cleaning well or that I have no organizational skills. I can do the one and I sometimes actually enjoy the other, but the truth is, I can be pretty ADD about both.
Cleaning clutter from the countertop leads me to a broken toy I’ve been meaning to fix for 3 weeks which leads me to the junk drawer in search of glue where I find the batteries I meant to put in the flashlight. Where did I leave the flashlight? Oh, yeah, it’s on the kitchen table where there’s a pile of clean laundry I need to fold, which reminds me I never put that load of towels in the dryer! On my way to the dryer I step over the bag of kitty litter which draws my attention to the cat box in the corner that reeeeally needs changing. But, wait a minute! Did I return that audio book I borrowed from a friend? Suddenly I’m organizing a stack of CDs in search of it. But I should probably put the audio book with my purse this very minute because I’ll see that friend tomorrow! Next thing I know I’m going through a stack of crumpled receipts from my purse…
And on and on it goes.
I’m well-intentioned, but easily distracted. I’m accomplishing things, but in tiny, almost imperceptible bits that amount to so little it never looks like I’m accomplishing anything! And when I’m faced with one of those BIG projects like out-of-control clutter or a disastrous closet, it’s easy to be so overwhelmed that, while I will stop and look at it from time to time, I always walk hopelessly away because I have no clue in the world where to start!
But I’ve learned a little something that has helped me a lot as an ADD housewife! Tackling a mess in quick, measured spurts helps keep me from getting distracted and prevents me from being so overwhelmed. All I have to do is count to 13!
I read this suggestion years ago in a magazine and though I know it may not work for everyone, for me sometimes the Trick of 13 is a tremendous help! I use it ALL THE TIME! When there’s a pile of clutter or an organizational project I find overwhelming, it helps me to start with cleaning out or putting away just 13 things.
*There’s a pile of paperwork on the counter and finding a place for all of it will take forever! Fine. I’ll sort just 13 things…
*The laundry desperately needs to be folded, but there’s so much of it! But no problem! I’ll simply fold and put away 13 like items, like towels and washcloths or one child’s t-shirts and pants…
*After a busy weekend my bedroom is a wreck and cleaning it all will take more time than I have right now. That’s okay. I’ll start small and put away just 13 things…
It sounds insignificant. And it is! But when I’m setting small goals for myself it seems to be easier for me to stay on task. I’m only having to focus for a count of 13. That’s all!
It also helps me not to look at projects as never-ending. Again, I’m only counting to 13 and then I’m done, at least for the moment. I may return to that same project throughout the day, but only in sets of 13, so the weight of the project never becomes too burdensome.
It also helps me better recognize the things that most need doing! When I’m picking up just 13 things in a particularly messy room, I automatically, almost without thought focus on the larger, more noticeable things. In a quick clean-up of my family room, for example, I’m most likely to focus on big things scattered about like throw pillows and blankets and larger toys and focusing there can make it look like I’ve accomplished a lot, even though I’ve only picked up 13 things! The next time I come through I may be able to get the next 13 most noticeable things, like the flip flops under the end table, the random Hot Wheels by the door, the cup in the corner, or the scraps of paper behind the recliner.
Now you may be wondering…do I always clean and organize this way? No. Sometimes I like to tackle something and not let up again until it’s completely finished. And obviously dusting, toilet scrubbing, and vacuuming don’t work this way either. But for picking up and general clutter control, which are the biggest, most dreaded, most time-consuming challenges in my home, I’ve found this little idea to be very helpful.
I’m as ADD a housewife as they come, but even I can count to 13 without much distraction.
Speaking of which…the pictures in this post are all from my home. Obviously the Trick of 13 needs to be implemented around here some more. Time to start counting…
Good advice!
It works for me! 🙂
Never heard of this one. I can relate to the distractedness. I walk in one room, start another chore, only to go back to the other room to be reminded of the chore I walked away from! The trick that helps me most is to set the timer. It's amazing what you can get if you know the timer is set for 30 minutes. I can fly like the wind! It's like there's some sort of competition I've got going with myself 😉
I do the timer from time-to-time, too, although I usually set it for about 10 minutes per room. It's amazing what you can accomplish in 10 minutes when you're working against a timer!
Awesome idea! I'm in the ADD boat with you, it can be frustrating. We had a seminar at work recently for women and the whole theme was that multi-tasking is actually more work than less (yes, sounds unbelievable) but after the class I left a believer (well more aware of multi tasking pit falls)… the argument compared the brain to a PC, and said that juggling multiple activities causes your brain to jump around to many areas of the brain instead of working on one spot then finishing and moving to the next… she said one of the symptoms of a frequent multi tasker is poor short term memory (hello, that's SO me)… I've been making an effort to focus on one task at a time and it has REALLY helped me… plus most days I can remember what I ate for breakfast, wow almost forgot that memory was supposed to work that way!
Anyways, another great helpful post! Def going to try to focus on the main things in each area (especially when I don't have time for a deep clean), bet that will really help.
Rebecca Swafford
I think MOM is almost synonymous with MULTI-TASKER! It's part of the job description, but, you're right, trying to multi-task all the time can make it soooo hard to get anything done and done WELL!
But this little tip can help me sometimes just to keep on top of the housework, so I'm not feeling so overwhelmed when it's time for the deep cleaning!
You have just described me! I am the housewife you are writing to! Setting a goal or a boundary (like picking up 13 things) does help keep me on track. I use this with my kids sometimes when tackling a big job. I have 4 left at home who routinely are available for pick-up times. I'll say 'Everyone go put away 10 things in the school room!' and that equals 40 items put where they belong.
Thanks, Tanya for your encouragement – so nice to know there are others like me out there.
I do the same thing with my kids! After their regular chores are done they're each supposed to pick up 13 things in their rooms. Since I have 2 boys and 2 girls and they share rooms, that ends up being 26 things per room! It at least helps keep the mess under control and makes serious, deeper cleaning a little easier later on.
So glad I'm not alone in my ADD ways! 😉
I don't consider myself ADD, but I have employed your techniques for years so that I get stuff done–sometimes, just a little at a time. Great post!
It's definitely helped me! Thanks so much for stopping by today!
Tanya, your 13 rule reminds me of the question, "How do you eat an elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time." I think if we tackle our gargantuan tasks "one bite (or 13 bites) at a time," we'll whittle them down eventually. Thanks for sharing.
Hahaha! Your analogy made me laugh. And it's so true! We can accomplish a lot working a little bit at a time!
Thanks so much for visiting, Lori!
Thank you for sharing! I can definitely relate to being an ADD housewife!
I had a sneaking suspicion there were a lot of women out there like me! It's been encouraging to know I'm not alone in my ADD ways! 🙂
This is a fantastic idea, Tanya. I'm on the other end of the spectrum and get so focused on what I'm doing, I don't stop…sometimes for hours on end. I may try to apply a 13 min rule and then have to move off!!! 🙂 Kim, linking with Missional Women's Faith Filled Fridays.
Sometimes I wish OVER-focus was a problem for me! It certainly is NOT! But I can definitely see where there would be times when limiting our work in one area is necessary to help us accomplish more things in other areas. I hope this can be helpful to you in that!
And so glad you came by today, Kim!
Great post. I always have many things going at once. I hate having any of them unfinished. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo
Thank you so much for the opportunity! 🙂
Good advice. I really identify with the scenario you described. My children at home are 11, 13, and 15. I've been known to call out. Let's do 100. We then work together putting 100 things away. One! Two! Three! We call out loudly and try to generate some excitement.
If 100 isn't enough to make a difference, I call 200.
Blessings,
Laura
Harvest Lane Cottage
That could work well, too! My kids have all learned how to use the Trick of 13. Whatever works to help us moms out! 🙂
I love your honesty and I will be implementing rule of 13 today! I'm glad I visited today!
So glad you did, Karin!!
Yep, I'm another person that this post speaks directly too! I have so many areas, half started projects, projects that need started, etc. and I get soooo overwhelmed that I, most times, just put blinders on and ignore it. Then, I get so upset with myself when I see all the mess still there… sigh….and thinking why can't I do/manage this??! This especially gets to me after I come home from work and I think to myself, "I'll be able to get it done on the weekend… the weekend comes and guess what? Yep, same cycle. BUT THIS IS A GREAT IDEA! I can do this! Break it down to 13 things… This way I can feel some sort of accomplishment without feeling overwhelmed. Thank you so much for sharing this.
I do a better if I set my goals a little more realistically. I can get to 13 without too much distraction, so it has definitely worked well for me!
So glad you visited today!
Oh, pick me, pick me! I look at stuff and am so overwhelmed I just walk away! I'm going to try this — heck, I can't do any worse than I already am!
Visiting from Hope in Every Season's linky.
Haha! That's the way I look at every new cleaning and organizing tip I try…can't hurt! Might help!!
So glad you stopped by today!
I love this! I try to follow FlyLady's ideas whenever I can, and the timer trick is often helpful for me. FlyLady has a 27 Fling Boogie, but I like the Trick of 13 even better! 🙂 I pinned your post to my Organization and Preparation Pinterest Board. I'm your newest follower from HHH.
Thank you so much! I keep meaning to learn more about FlyLady's methods. I've heard she can be VERY helpful in getting cleaning and organization on track. I'll gladly accept all the help I can get!!
So glad you stopped by today!
I have never heard of that before. Very clever! I like to take a laundry basket into the room I am cleaning, and put "out of place" items into the basket. That way I won't be tempted to leave the room so I won't get sidetracked by something else, lol!
I also use a timer to motivate myself, keep myself focused and it also has a time limit on it, lol! Thanks for linking up to "Making Your Home Sing Monday" linky party today!
Thank you so much for the opportunity to link up! I use a timer myself sometimes and I use it even more often for my kids. It is one of the BEST motivators for my little boys to pick up! And I believe I read about using the laundry basket on MomstheWord. I bought an extra laundry basket for just that purpose! Whatever helps!!
I really relate to this as well! I'm usually a list maker, make a list of what needs to be done and check it off. Makes me feel as if it's not that bad or overwhelming. I love the thought of just doing 13 things though. I know that would probably inspire me to do just a little more. Thanks for sharing this!
Monica @ theatypicalhousewife.com
Oh, I'm a list maker, too! It can give you a sense of accomplishment when you can start marking things off. I've had a list of summer projects that I've been marking off one-by-one and we're almost done with it! 🙂 I'll feel so good when it's all taken care of.
So glad you stopped by today!
Thank you for the post. I get overwhelmed and distracted easily with our disorganized mess. I'm going to implement your 13 idea. That should take a big dent out of our mess and help get us ready for the upcoming homeschooling year.
betty jo
I'm in getting-ready-for-school mode myself, so 13 is being used LOTS around here! Hope you have an awesome school year! Thanks so much for stopping by!
What a fun idea! Definitely doesn't seem like a big deal when you know you only need to put away 13 things. 13 is nothing! I am totally going to start doing this around my home.
I love this idea, Tanya. Thanks for sharing!
I hope it helps you the way it helps this ADD housewife!
Thanks for stopping by!
Sounds like someone I know, haha ME. If I forget to make my list the night before, forget about it. I'm all over the house or no where at all, stuck wondering what my next move should be. Thanks for sharing your counting to 13 method.
I'm the queen of working all day and never FINISHING anything! But this does help me stay on track, at least in little bits. Hope it works for you, Tati! So glad you came by today!
I have a little bit of ADD I think because I can see myself in the same situation like you have mentioned here…and it can be very challenging…your trick 13 sounds good and I want to share my 3 quick steps to a quick home cleaning that I have been doing & feeling successful about it…
goodluck and thanks for joining the Fun Friday Blog Hop! huggies♥
rea
I'm ALWAYS looking for new tips to help me keep this house under control! I'll take help wherever I can find it!
Thanks so much for coming by today!
I love this!! I'm the most unlikely combination of OCD and ADD. I totally need to remember this concept for the times I get stuck between the two! Thanks so much for linking up with me last week at Walking Redeemed. 🙂
Thanks so much for the opportunity! And thank you for visiting today!
I often "call a hundred". The children and I then scurry around the house putting things away calling loudly, "One! Two! Three!" all the way to a hundred.
It makes a big difference quickly.
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Sounds like a great idea. If it motivates the kids to help out, then that's a big plus!
It's a good rule to use and I may think to incorporate it next time "overwhelm" sets in, but I don't think you have ADD just because you are distracted sometimes while cleaning 🙂
I frequently use this trick with my littlest kids, except it's 5. Pick up 5 toys, fold 5 towels, etc. It's so much easier to focus on a small task than to focus on a whole room at a time. I'm also to ADD housewife and momma, so I totally relate!
I think 5 at a time is perfect for younger ones. So glad to hear this works for your family, too!
I'm with you sister!
Thank you! I am definitely going to try The Trick of 13!