If you want something done, ask a busy person (a second look)

Sherri T.

 

 Dear WOOMers: Because we all need some humor in these very tough times, I have been re-posting some of the blogs that made me smile. This is one of them. Enjoy!

My mother used to say: “If you want something done, ask a busy person.”  I have since learned that these wise words were cited by many other mothers as well.

With everything that my mother did as wife, parent, sister, friend and entrepreneur, she was a very busy person. But she always got things done.

Whoever said that household management was easy? It is the most complex and least appreciated job on the planet. Home managers deserve far more recognition and respect for their work.

My mother had home management down to a fine art. It couldn’t have been easy with the several home businesses she was running while taking care of kids.  She ran our household like an army camp.

Fortunately, she had a handy tool for household management – her  

• L
• I
• S
• T

Over the years, I noticed that a new habit has also taken over my life: the daily list. It started innocently to prepare for the coming week. 

In came Sunday evening, out came the pen and paper for the proverbial list. Just like mom did when she was jotting down her skills to create a home business. 

I planned which meal went with each day, which sheets got washed when and which sinks were scrubbed at what time. I could vanquish and conquer because I knew exactly what had to be done when, where and by whom.  

 I knew precisely the tasks to be achieved by which dates − except for the time I handed in an assignment held together by a diaper pin. That was a clear breakdown in the system.

The list was a statement. I was (almost) completely in control of my life and my hectic household. Today my behavior would be called OCD. 

In fact, you might say that my list is great cover for neurotic behaviour.  You might even call it neurotica.

I must say that I still love my list. In all my adult life, I have never been listless.

Because I learned this practice from my mother, I make no apologies.  In fact, I need to thank her.  It is currently the first item on today’s list.