Before you eat the elephant, make sure you know what parts you want to eat.
TODD STOCKER, REFINED: TURNING PAIN INTO PURPOSE
THE LINE THROUGH MY handwritten words makes me smile.
Another thing checked off my list. It feels good. I love accomplishing my goals. My list for today? Just six things:
- Spend time in the Word.
- Put Caroline’s ballet outfits out so they are ready for her practice recital.
- Add stories to each devotional I’m working on.
- Straighten up the house.
- Have a breakfast plan ready for the morning (Sunday).
- Read to my kids.
Six simple things. Oh yes, there is more to my day, and this day in particular—a Saturday—is a writing day for me. But with all the things that call to me for attention, if I can accomplish those six things, I will go to bed with a mind at rest.
Only Six Things
I used to be a Mary Kay lady. It’s true—lipstick, red jacket, tights, and all! And I have to say, I’m thankful for my Mary Kay days because of one very important piece of information I was introduced to: The Six Most Important Things List.
The “Six List” originated during the 1920s when a public relations expert by the name of Ivy Lee approached Charles Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel, with a proposition: If Lee could have a few minutes with each executive of Schwab’s company, he promised that their productivity would increase. When Schwab asked how much this secret formula was going to set him back, Lee said it would cost nothing up front. But if the strategy worked after three months, Schwab could pay Lee what he thought it was worth. Schwab agreed. When Lee met with the executives individually, he gave each person simple instructions—before leaving the office at the end of the day, make a list of the six most important things to do the next day, in order of importance, completing them as time permitted. Well, it worked. The Six List secret worked so well that Schwab wrote out a check to Lee for $25,000 (this during a time when an average worker made just under $600 a year)!
The Six List secret can work for you too!
It is so very simple.
Every night before bed write down the top six things, in order, that you need to accomplish the next day (no more than six). Then, go systematically through the list, completing the tasks in order, crossing out each thing as you go.
That’s it. That’s the secret.
The story goes that when Schwab sent Lee the check, he also included a note saying the advice was the most profitable business lesson he had ever learned. I bet it is just as profitable in other ways for us homemakers. Want to give it a try?
READ PROVERBS 24:27
Before you make your Six List, consider what needs your attention first. How are your children’s hearts? What do they need from you before you begin the tasks of the day?
Print out the Six List found at sarahmae.com/marthamary. Use it for six days in a row. Put the most important things first, and then finish them in order (do not skip around). What you don’t accomplish on that day’s list, put at the top of the next day’s list.
Be sure to tweet me at @sarahmae or comment on my Facebook page at Facebook.com/sarahmaewrites to let me know how it goes!
MARTHA CHALLENGELET’S MOVE ON TO THE BATHROOMS, SHALL WE?
I know some of us have only one bathroom and some of us have five. We are going to take them one at a time, but we are only going through two in this book since I believe that is what the average house has.
If you have more than two, I’m going to assume you also have a maid, so this shouldn’t be too hard for you. (I’m kidding, I’m kidding!) No matter how many bathrooms you have, let’s do this!
HERE IS YOUR GAME PLAN FOR BATHROOM #1:
1. Get a bin of some sort and put everything from the surface areas of your bathroom into it. Take the bin out of the bathroom. Take out the trash can as well.
2. Pour toilet bowl cleaner in the bowl and let it sit.
3. Wash the mirror, the sink, and then the toilet. Flush!
4. Wash out the bathtub.
5. Sweep the floor.
6. Get a bucket of hot, soapy water and wash the floor. If you want to get it really clean (especially around the toilet and ESPECIALLY if you have boys), get on your hands and knees to do this.
7. Put everything back in the bathroom that you want in the bathroom. (Don’t put the dirty clothes back on the floor!)
Don’t forget to take out the trash.
GET YOUR KIDS INVOLVED!
Trust me, your kids are capable of more than they sometimes let on. I know for sure that any kiddo seven years old and up can help clean a bathroom, even if it’s just one of the steps listed.
If you have an older child who can handle the entire thing, suggest that it be his or her weekly job.
If you have younger children, assign them a part of the bathroom to clean, such as sweeping the floor and putting a new trash bag in the trash can.