Today’s Homemaker

[New to Getting Things Done? Start at the beginning!]

Okay, I think David Allen should have named this system “Getting Things Done: Mastering the Art of List-Making.” It’s a good thing that I’m definitely pro-list.

So far, we have only been putting our system in place. We have not actually started to DO it. So if you’re confused about how this is all going to tie together, do not fret! The end is in sight.

Today we’re going to deal with those pesky items that we have to do over and over again. We are going to be making three lists:

• Daily Activities
• Weekly Activities
• Monthly Activities

Daily Activities:

The crux of homemaking is found in those daily tasks that we must do, lest they snowball and fall in around our heads. These are the things that so easily slip past us until we wake up and realize that the dishes are to the ceiling and the laundry is not faring much better. And we wonder how?

Having a daily routine is crucial to being able to remember all of these little things. Not only are they important in the home, but in every other part of our lives as well.

My Daily Activities List is divided up into three parts: Home, Computer, and Office. The reason for this will be explained later when we talk about daily planning. But for now, just know that it makes life a whole lot easier if you want a flexible structure to your day. Here’s my list¹:

• Home
  • Shower/get dressed
  • Make bed
  • Do dishes
  • Wipe down counter tops
  • Pick up living room
  • Pick up playroom
  • Pray/read my Bible
  • Practice piano
• Computer
  • Write blog entry
  • Check email/forums
  • Read/comment on favorite blogs
• Office²
  • Process inbox/update lists
  • Make tomorrow’s daily plan

I try not to put too much on this list — I want to make sure I only list the things that are ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to every day. Of course, what is essential to you is at your discretion.

Weekly Activities:

The reason for having this list is pretty much the same as the Daily Activities List. There are some things that need to be done on a regular basis, but not necessarily every day. Here’s an example of mine:

• MONDAY
  • Laundry
• TUESDAY³
  • Take out trash/recycling
  • Wipe down toilets/shower
  • Change bedroom linens
  • Vacuum living room
  • Sweep kitchen, playroom, and main bathroom
  • Mop kitchen, playroom, and main bathroom
  • Clean out refrigerator
• WEDNESDAY
  • Errands
• THURSDAY
  • Straighten desk, purse, and car
• FRIDAY
  • Movie night
• SATURDAY/SUNDAY
  • Time with family/friends

Monthly Activities:

I am not going to list my entire list here, the way I have it written down. That would take up too much space (and already this post has record-breaking potential as far as length goes!) Basically, I number the page 1-30 and list the things I must do beside the number that corresponds to the date.

For example, I pay bills and update our finances on the 5th and the 20th. I bill my clients on the 14th and 29th. I turn in my time card for my event planning job on the 15th and the 3oth.

In your binder, you should now have the following (in this order):

• Daily Activities List
• Weekly Activities List
• Monthly Activities List
• Next Actions Lists (you may just have one if you chose to put them all on the same list, but I have six)
  • Away
  • Computer
  • Home
  • Office
  • Phone
  • Waiting
• Project List
• Future Possibilities List

I recommend putting at least your Daily Activities List in a clear sheet protector so that you can mark through each task with a dry-erase marker as it’s completed. Tomorrow we’re going to tie all of this together and talk about planning for each day. Yes, we’re going to actually DO something!

GTD day seven: Your daily plan >>

1. Note that I do not do all of these things when I first wake up in the morning. Yes, I take a shower and make the bed first thing, but the rest is flexible according to the day [↩]
2. We’ll discuss these things another day…for now, you can just put them on your list. [↩]
3. This is my cleaning day, if you can’t tell. [↩]