When you have the BIG project, pile of laundry and it's overwhelming...

I can get overwhelmed easily and then everything grows huge and I don't get anything accomplished. Anyone else? Well, I have this trick that I've been implementing more and more in all the areas and it's working so well. So, I want to share with you.

You know when the entire couch or the biggest bed in the house is covered in clean, but unfolded clothes and you don't even know where to start? Or your huge kitchen sink and the counters around it are filled with dirty dishes? Or since we're entering a new season...when you need to switch out your clothes?

Here it is--I set a timer for a small amount of time...let's say 20 minutes. Then I throw myself into that overwhelming project for that amount of time. Guess what? One of two things generally happens--

1. I either finish the chore during that time, or

2. I'm so into the project when the timer goes off that I realize I can be done in just another 20 minutes, so I keep on working.

There are times the project is too big for that 20 minutes or even double that, but that 20 minutes of work helps me see it's doable and if I'll intentionally work on it for a set amount of time each day then I'll be done with it.

I've done this for years with things like I mentioned above, but lately I've been putting this practice into place for other areas of my life.

Most recently it's been cleaning the blinds for the 22 windows in our house...I fizzled out pretty quickly last year when I attempted to do all 22 of them in a week or two. So, this year I'm doing 4-5 a week (two or three a day for two days a week) and I'm already at the halfway point and will finish at the first of next month. (I have the schedule written down in my calendar.)

Another way I've put it in place is filling the Nine LIttle Free Libraries I have at all the schools in our district. When my oldest daughter was home, I would pay her once a month to go around and fill them. I attempted to do that on my own but it just never worked. So, instead I started doing two a week...it takes less than 15 minutes and I get to them all each month without problem now.

Hopefully this is helpful for you and that overwhelming project you have before you. You'll have to let me know if it does help.

In the meantime, I've got to go clean the 3 blinds that are on my schedule for today.