mindful living, effortless style

20 Feb

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Pop Quiz

After the mountain of feedback I received on Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Weekly Schedules (thanks for that by the way), it quickly became apparent that cleaning is, indeed, a beast in and of itself. In order to create a kick-ass weekly schedule, we’re going to have to start with the toilets, I’m afraid. (Actually, we’d be fine starting with everything else and then working in the cleaning, but my house is a mess – something really must be done before the children lose all their friends – and I’m the one at the keyboard. So we’re starting with cleaning).

As I sat on the couch the other night, combing over all the info. you guys have shared on the topic, I realized there are essentially two camps when it comes to cleaning schedules: those that crave structure and those that need a little more flexibility. As luck would have it, Modern Family happened to be playing in the background of my little ephiphany and the following Cosmo-esque pop quiz was born. I realize that most of you already know what your results will be, just humor me here, I’m determined to find a way to make organizing more fun even if it takes calling forth the 14 year old girl in all of us.

So here’s your homework for today: take the following mini quiz and identify your cleaning schedule persona. For extra credit take a look at the links at the end that correspond to your results. (If you don’t get to this, no worries, I’ll be providing them again as we move forward). Ready? Go.

The Quiz

photo via {dot}{dot}{dot}

Question 1: If you woke up this morning and found a “Monday = Laundry Day” type chart stuck on your fridge you would:

a) cry a little – you’re sure the monotony of it all will slowly crush your soul.

b) do a happy dance in your kitchen – there’s finally going to be some order around here.

c) break out the glue sticks and glitter – if that thing’s staying there then it better look cool.

photo via Young House Love

Question 2: Your children’s toys are slowly taking over the entire house. In a perfect world, you address the problem by:

a) hitting up IKEA and returning home with a 25 cube EXPEDIT bookshelf and several open storage bins.

b) also buying an IKEA bookshelf and storage bins but you adorn each bin with a label of what goes inside spelled out in both written words and pictures (for the toddler). You also spend 45 minutes trying to decide between organizing said bins alphabetically or in order of which toys are played with most from highest to lowest on the bookshelf.

c) buying an IKEA 25 cube EXPEDIT bookshelf and using 10 of the cubes for toy storage while turning the rest into a play kitchen/puppet theater with the help of IKEA Hackers.

photo via whatever

Question 3: Next week is spring break and the kids will be home all week, ideally you would:

a) text your friend to see if she and her brood want to hit up that new indoor trampoline gym, drag the art easel and supplies out of the garage, and make a mental note (which you may or may not actually follow through on) to wash the sheets so they’ll be available for fort making.

b) scour Pinterest, red tricycle, and local publications to create a detailed list of activities and outings you’ll embark on each day. Then make a list of needed craft supplies and head to Micheal’s with your member’s-only 50% off coupon in hand.

c) Bee-line for the chalkboard wall in the playroom and create a pretty template for a “Spring Break Bucket List”. Then hand the chalk over to the kids to fill in the list while you return to pondering which DIY technique will best freshen up those tired living room curtains – ombre or chevron?

That’s it! I could go on but I’d just be amusing myself and I think you get the drift. Click through for your results and some resources.

The Results

Tally up your answers (all three of them) and see which letter you chose the most. If you…

Answered mostly A: Howdy Phil. Good hearted guy that you are, you want only the best for your family and you’re willing to put in some hard work to get it for them (and there’s no doubt Phil works hard for his family, have you seen the house he has working as a real estate agent in this market?) You consider yourself too much fun to be tied down by rigid rules and schedules, “I’m the cool dad. That’s my thang.” But your well-meaning exuberance could use a little direction.

You need specific objectives you can enthusiastically attack but also require some flexibility to accomplish your goals in your own special time and way.

You Should Read: IHeart Organizing

Answered mostly B: Nice to see you Claire. At first glance it might not be obvious due to the rowdy kids bent on destroying your house, but deep down you are an organizational ninja just waiting to be unleashed. Give you a detailed, step-by-step, family manual and you’re sure to have your clan whipped into shape in no time.

You need an exquisitely detailed and color-coated schedule to proudly hang on the wall and faithfully adhere to.

Have a look at: Just Mommies Home Organization Plan

Answered mostly C: HELLLO, Cam! This whole schedule thingy will lead to a more fabulous home right? Then you’re totally in. You were actually following this blog before all the organizational hoopla started and you check back regularly just to see what will be the next paint chip Easter garland… if that happens to be something that will bring a little order to your world – then so be it.

If you’re gonna stick to a schedule it’s gotta be a few things: fun to make, fun to use, and fun to look at.

Have a look at: Sadly, I haven’t found many DIY weekly schedules to get excited over. There are some cute retail options here and here and this printable from my inspiration board is lovely, but overall I’m underwhelmed… which is my not-so-subtle way of hinting that you should keep your eyes out for a DIY right here in the very near future.

I hope today’s little experiment/momentary distraction from the daily grind has you excited to continue on our journey together. I’ll be back soon with action plans for the Phil, Claire, and Cam in all of us. Until then, leave a comment letting me know who you turned out to be and I’ll post on the most popular pick first!

This post is part of MPMK’s “Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life”. You can read all about it here, check out all of projects here, and join thousands of POYEL facebook group members here.

Bonus: Use the code JANUARY for 10% off the PDF file through the end of the month, plus all customers will receive a 20% off code for our favorite online meal planning site, Relish!

50 Comments / posted in Cleaning House, POYEL

{ 50 comments… read them below or add one }

glimmersnaps February 20, 2012 at 5:42 am

Too cute! I was totally a Cam

I’ve been thinking about this and I’m working on something like a chore/reminder/activity sheet for each day of the week. I want to make it customizable because everyone needs something different. I’m also working on one or two (hundred) other things, so we will see when I get it done!

Keep the inspiration coming!

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Pop Quiz

This post is part of MPMK’s “Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life”. You can read all about it here, check out all of projects here, and join thousands of POYEL facebook group members here.

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