5 Ways to Make Tidying A Habit
Wouldn't it be nice if our houses could just stay neat and tidy without the ongoing work and effort? Well, I've accepted that the work will never fully go away, but I know it's possible to make it feel effortless, and even enjoyable. I've experienced the shift myself, and clients often admit their surprise at how enjoyable and satisfying working together on a dreaded task turned out to be!
Since reading Charles Duhigg's The Power of Habit, I'm more convinced than ever that it is possible for anyone to make home organization feel effortless by making it a habit. Furthermore, for those of us fortunate to be staying safe and healthy in our homes, and settling into new routines, there's no better time than now to put this theory to the test. New routines shake-up our existing habits and lay the foundation for new ones, giving us the chance to initiate some good habits and catch the bad behaviours before they become ingrained.
The Power of Habit reveals many powerful insights about human nature and its potential for transformation, in people, homes and work cultures. Duhigg convincingly argues that the actions of an individual or a team are based largely on behaviours that are habitual and that when we understand how our bodies and our minds work on autopilot, we can transform behaviours to spark positive change. Inspired by this book, and based on my experience as a professional organizer, I’ve put together 5 essential ways to develop tidying habits that stick:
Set a specific goal. Tap into a larger motivator and identify your end goal. Consider something that everyone in the house can get on board with. You can’t necessarily change your family members' habits in one swoop, but there's a higher chance you'll get them to support a shared cause. For instance, your main goal may be to ensure your kids are equipped to entertain themselves while you work or that you have a calming place to unwind at the end of a long day.
Make a plan. Think through what needs to happen to achieve your goal. It may mean reorganizing a particular area to create space and activity zones, clearing out things that don’t need to be there. Beyond that, what daily or weekly actions will support the goal? There may be some activities that are allowed to stay out between use, but others that should be returned after use. If deadlines during the week leave you all with little time, consider how you can use the weekends to reset and give yourself a fresh start for the week ahead. Help your family members designate places for their frequently used items so they know where to find and return everything.
Collaborate. Encourage others to contribute, not only by involving them in the goal and plan, but also by backing off and empowering them. Give them a chance to do it themselves and support good behaviour. Lead by example, set a positive tone and focus on the feeling and results of their contributions so they feel a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Pair tasks with routine behaviours. By pairing a chore with a routine behaviour, the chore or activity becomes automatic and we stop having to think about what we are doing. Have each person commit to a few things they can do before you even start work or school. Think about what other behaviours you can make routine before you eat lunch or go outside for fresh air. Other great pairings include watching a favourite show only while folding laundry, listening to an audiobook while closing down the kitchen, or connecting with your partner while doing yard work.
Reward good behaviour. When you finish off a task with a reward, your craving for the reward becomes a motivator in itself. The reward can simply be to make the kitchen counters sparkle each night for a fresh start each morning, or to light a scented candle and read a book when the living room is tidied up at night. For kids, they could earn time to watch a special show or play a game. It's also good for them to know that by doing their part, you will have extra time you can spend with them on bedtime stories or another favourite family activity.
Just because we're home all the time does not mean we are suddenly spending hours more on our spaces. We are all certainly dealing with new challenges and new concerns. But we also have an opportunity: the chance to work together with our family members towards a meaningful goal, while establishing potentially life-changing patterns of behaviour. We can turn tidying into a habit. What little changes can you make together today that will have a lasting impact?
Try this for motivation: Finish tidying with a reward, like making your counters sparkle, so your brain craves it and a habit is formed.