Cracking those Chores: Balancing Housework and Productivity

So it’s a long meeting and you’re tempted to go wash the dishes? Yeah, right. But maybe you should! Let’s talk about the ideal housework tasks to tackle while working from home and discuss potential issues to be aware of.

Short Break Tasks

Use short breaks during your working day to tackle small housework tasks. Folding laundry, unloading the dishwasher, or wiping down kitchen surfaces are all excellent options. These tasks provide a mental break from work and also contribute to a tidy home environment (which is great for your overall concentration as well!). So lots of wins all around.

Physical Movement Tasks

Housework that involves more physical movement can be even more beneficial. Vacuuming, sweeping, or gardening can help you stay active during breaks and doubles up as light exercise. As we were talking about in last week’s post, movement boosts energy levels and enhances focus when you return to work.

Meal Preparation

Use your lunch break to prepare meals, not just for you to eat right away but to put away in the fridge or freezer for later. Cooking at home not only saves money but also helps with healthier eating habits. Plan simple, nutritious working week meals that don’t require extensive preparation.

Decluttering and Organising

Dedicate time slots to decluttering and organising different areas of your home. It’s strange how a clutter-free environment can positively impact your mental well-being and productivity. Yes, that includes a tidy kitchen and living room! Set a timer for focused cleaning sessions. For example, commit to 20 minutes of decluttering or organising before heading back to ‘work’.

Create a Consistent Routine

Try assigning specific days for different household tasks. For example, designate Mondays for laundry, Wednesdays for vacuuming, and Fridays for window cleaning. Consistency is key in making this work. Treat your household tasks like all your other tasks and integrate them into your digital calendar. Create a recurring task or calendar appointment for chores that need to be done weekly or bi-weekly.

The Two-Minute Rule

We’ve talked about keeping tiny tasks off your task list by using the two-minute rule or one of its variants. If you can do it in less than two minutes, just do it. This applies to household tasks as well! Small actions like putting away ingredients and dishes, or wiping down surfaces can be done quickly—just get into the habit!

Household Tasks During Meetings

If you’re actively participating in a meeting, avoid multitasking with household chores—it just isn’t worth the risk of missing something important. Give your full attention to the discussion. Engage in note-taking, contribute to the discussion, follow action items, whatever. However, during longer meetings where you’re not actively involved, consider tackling quick household tasks. One great combination is listening to (non-interactive) training sessions while doing housework. Of course, for anything else, you need to make sure you’re still within earshot of the meeting or have your headphones on!