Double Handling

Time Management is one of the most used tools in my arsenal :0)  I integrate it into cleaning, cooking, looking after the animals, shopping, and recreation.  Setting up a routine is vital to a successful household, especially for people who work a full time job.

Your responsibilities will dictate your routine, and to help you plan it is useful to write a list of things you do in an average day.  After you have your list compiled its time for triage :0)  The bones of your routine are obviously going to be the things that must be done in an average day; work, kids, animals, chores, and sleep are the most common.  Afterwards whatever time is left should go to making sure you are getting enough rest and relaxation to maintain your own peace of mind.  Planning is now very important to make sure you are making the most of your time. Being organised and thinking a head of every task will save you so much time in the long run :0)

Double handling is an expression I heard at one time in one of my earlier jobs, and its always stuck with me.  I try to make sure I'm not wasting time by handling things more often then I really need to.  For example if I am making dinner I get all my ingredients out and ready to go before I start to cook.  As soon as something is used rather then placing it back on the bench I put it away instead.  This has so many benefits :0)  I get to keep my work space clear, everything is put back before it can spoil, and I don't need to double handle anything (by putting it down on the bench, then picking it back up to put away).  I tidy up as I go, and wipe my bench space often, when the meal is cooked and served I rinse the pots and pans.  This makes cleaning the kitchen and doing the dishes much easier and quicker.

The principal of double handling is applicable to so many things, and another that immediately jumps to mind is garbage.  A lot of people set aside their garbage rather then put it straight in the bin, this is a mistake!  It looks unsightly, attracts vermin and a lot of hassle can be avoided if it goes straight into the bin rather then left laying around.  I know it sounds really obvious, but you can save so much time by putting things directly in the garbage rather then having to handle it twice by hunting it down and picking it back up and into the bin later. 

I try to be organised and make sure everything has its own place, when buying something new I always try to decide where it will go, and if I actually do have the space for it. This makes organising much easier and saves me time searching for something I need later.  If I use something I make sure it is put away when I'm done, again to avoid double handling the item.  All these little things do add up and it does cut down on the time it takes to tidy up by a surprising amount.   Before bed each night I do a small tour of my house and make sure everything is put away properly.  It takes around 2 to 5 minutes and keeps everything well organised and tidy. 

Keeping on top of chores is the best way to save time and has the added benefit of keeping your house looking neat and tidy :0)  If you let your chores build up and get unmanageable then it will take longer to complete them, it will take longer to find anything and it will become more daunting to do; all of which can be very disruptive to a good routine.