Blogging A to Z Challenge

“55 Things you can do in Just Five Minutes”

AND "Freebie Friday!"

It’s Freebie Friday! When you comment on this blog entry you’ll be entered to win one of three personally autographed copies of Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. Winners will be randomly chosen from the comments. Tell me what you can do in just five minutes, or which of these suggestions you’re going to try next time you have a few minutes to spare. Winners will be notified by e-mail, so please make sure we can click on your name and contact you for your address and to whom you’d like the book autographed. GOOD LUCK!

You’re waiting for the kids to collect everything they need before you drive them to school. Or you’re husband is just finishing a phone call before you head out for a date. Or the pork chops are almost done defrosting in the microwave.

Rather than “frittering the time away” (as my wise father would say), challenge yourself to accomplish something. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish in just a few minutes! This is by no means a complete list, but will get you into the habit of using even just a few minutes to do a simple task.

In your bedroom:

1. Organize one dresser drawer.
2. Straighten your shoes.
3. Sort the stuff on your bedside table.
4. Give your husband a long hug and a big kiss.

In the kitchen:

5. Clear out the dishwasher (I’ve timed myself—it usually takes less than 3 minutes).
6. Discard leftovers from the refrigerator.
7. Go through the pantry and make a grocery list.
8. Start your meal plan for the next week.
9. Clean one cupboard.
10. When you’re cooking, brown an extra pound of hamburger so you can make a quick casserole on a rushed day.

In the bathroom:

11. Fold a load of clothes.
12. Toss your old toothbrushes and get out new ones.
13. Clear off the counter.
14. Experiment with a new makeup look or hairstyle.
15. Check your supply of toilet paper, soup, shampoo, etc., and add to your list if any are low.

In the car:

16. Sort through the glove box.
17. Take a few deep breaths to relax.
18. Read a magazine article.
19. File or buff your finger nails.
20. Do isometric exercises; tense and relax your abs, for example.
21. Gather all of the sippy cups, empty water bottles, tissues, and loose pieces of paper in the back seat.

When you’re talking on the phone:

22. Set the table.
23. Sort laundry.
24. Iron.
25. Lotion your legs.
26. Sit with your feet up.

Before bed:

27. Get out the clothes you’ll wear in the morning.
28. Put the dishes in the dishwasher.
29. Get the first load of clothes ready to wash.
30. Talk—really talk, and listen—to your husband.
31. Read a short devotion or chapter of Proverbs.

In the living room:

32. Straighten out the DVDs.
33. Turn over and fluff the couch cushions.
34. Water the plants.
35. Pick up everything off the floor so it’s easy to vacuum.
36. Play a game of Chinese Checkers.

At your desk:

37. Write a thank-you note, or note of encouragement.
38. Look at your birthday and anniversary list for the next month and check your supply of cards for those occasions.
39. Jot down ideas for your next project.
40. Check your supply of paper clips, pens, sticky notes, etc.

Through the whole house (or at least several rooms):

41. Empty all of the wastebaskets.
42. Pick up all of the stray coats, shoes, socks, towels, etc.
43. Collect all of the glasses, dishes and silverware.
44. Spray air freshener in every room.
45. Have a tickle fight!
46. Call a friend just to say, “I’m thinking of and praying for you.”

For your health:

47. Jump rope.
48. Learn to take your pulse.
49. Walk around the block or go up and down the stairs.
50. Stretch.
51. Eat a piece of fruit.

With your kids:

52. Talk about the day.
53. Say a prayer together.
54. Play tag.
55. Hug!

 You can see from this list that there are many things you can accomplish in just a few minutes! Change your mindset; rather than thinking “It’s only a few minutes; I can’t get anything done!” challenge yourself—“What can I accomplish in five minutes?”

  

(Excerpted from Home is Where the Mom Is; A Christian Mom’s Guide to Caring for Herself, Her Family, and Her Home. For ordering information, click on the link in the sidebar.)

I’m also blogging at Nebraska Family Times. Today’s post is titled “Good Friday?”