Day 5 - Staying on Task

My before and after pics...

This wasn't even everything in the drawers!

Now I can work!

I still have a couple more drawers to do, plus my bookshelf, but I am pooped for today and I still have to clean my kitchen! Wanna continue this challenge tomorrow?

31 Days to Clean - Start here if you're just joining us!

The issue of self-discipline and staying on task often finds its way to the forefront when we begin something or "commit" to taking care of our homes. The question is, how do we stay on task and keep disciplined?

Tomorrow we will look specifically at self-discipline, and some helpful tips on getting some, but for today, let's focus on the "why" of the difficulty of staying on task.

First of all, raise your hand if...

• You ever wonder why it’s so difficult to keep up with your work...to keep "on task?"
• You ever feel like no matter what you do things just get messy anyway so why bother?
• You feel depressed and overwhelmed at the work that just keeps piling up?

There is a reason that the laundry keeps piling up along with dishes, the dust settles, work in general just seems so unproductive, and staying on task can be overwhelming. Two words:

The Curse

That's right, that darn little curse where God pronounced judgement on our domains:

"Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; Cursed is the ground because of you; In toil you shall eat of it All the days of your life. "Both thorns and thistles it shall grow for you; And you shall eat the plants of the field..." (Genesis 3:17-18)

Because of Adam's sin (he is ultimately accountable for the fall, not Eve, because he was given responsibility for life and work in the garden before woman was created) our domains rebel against us as we have rebelled against God. Our commands to rule, subdue, and be productive are all the harder to fulfill. Everything is heading toward decay, and we are striving against it. No matter how many loads of laundry we do, there will always be dirty clothes. No matter how many times we clean the kitchen, for as long as we live it will get messy again. This is all part of the curse. Work is not the curse, unproductive work is.

So how do we overcome the curse?

That's what we're going unpack tomorrow. We will not only look at ways to overcome the curse, but how to use it as a powerful motivator.

In the meantime, let's get to work on today's challenge!

• Have you spent time with the Lord today? If not, challenge yourself to get up early everyday to meet Him first thing - remember, I'll get up with you!
• Have your six list done? If not, go ahead and do it now.
• Have your mission statement in view - read it over and be reminded of why you are taking care of your domain. (Haven't done this yet? That's okay, work on it when you have time, it will greatly motivate you.)

Today is an organizing day! Whether you have an office, or just a desk, we are going to organize them, as in, opening all the drawers, taking everything out, THROWING THINGS AWAY, and putting our office items in order (magazines, bills, stationary, etc.). For me, I don't actually have an office, but I have a desk that is completely cluttered, and writing at it is getting to be not only a hassle, but a distraction. I also have a bookshelf near my desk that is screaming to be dusted and ordered. So, let's get our "work spaces" into working order! As always, I'll post pics, feel free to post yours (I love seeing them)!

Tips for organizing your home office

How to rejuvenate your office

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How are some ways you have seen the "curse" at work in your homemaking?

(If you enjoy cleaning and are a "natural" at it, please stick with us, we need you and your valuable input and tips!)