Over the course of many years, I've identified several systems required to run our household. A system is defined as a functionally related group of elements, and just like computer systems, our home systems crash all the time. The problem is you can't control-alt-delete the laundry room or the kitchen....But wouldn't it be nice sometimes if you could?
Here is a brief list of some of the "functionally related elements" of our two most problematic systems:
kitchen - planning the meals; listing groceries and supplies needed; studying the grocery ads; shopping; carrying the groceries in; putting the groceries away; cooking; setting the table; clearing the table; loading the dishwasher; unloading the dishwasher; cleaning surfaces; sweeping and mopping the floor; purging the refridgerator; taking out the trash; organizing pantry and cupboards; deeper cleaning (oven, stove hood, etc.)
laundry - acquiring an adequate wardrobe (x 6) that fits well and is seasonally appropriate; altering clothing as needed; acquiring household linens for kitchen, beds, and bathrooms; gathering laundry from throughout the house; spot treating and sorting items into one of four groups: whites, lights, darks, towels/linens; processing loads through washing machine; moving loads to dryer; folding; putting away in drawers; hanging hang-ups; ironing; mending; purging closets and drawers of clothes no longer warn; storing clothes out of season; storing coats and winter gear; storing shoes
A glitch at any point in a system threatens the entire process. By analyzing each system's elements I hope to be able to identify and repair problem areas....
By the time my children are grown and gone I should have housekeeping down to a science.
P.S. If you want a good chuckle, read this article from Housekeeping Monthly in 1955, recommended by my favorite Rush Limbaugh substitute host, Walter E. Williams, an economist: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/misc/days.pdf It's priceless.
Here is a brief list of some of the "functionally related elements" of our two most problematic systems:
kitchen - planning the meals; listing groceries and supplies needed; studying the grocery ads; shopping; carrying the groceries in; putting the groceries away; cooking; setting the table; clearing the table; loading the dishwasher; unloading the dishwasher; cleaning surfaces; sweeping and mopping the floor; purging the refridgerator; taking out the trash; organizing pantry and cupboards; deeper cleaning (oven, stove hood, etc.)
laundry - acquiring an adequate wardrobe (x 6) that fits well and is seasonally appropriate; altering clothing as needed; acquiring household linens for kitchen, beds, and bathrooms; gathering laundry from throughout the house; spot treating and sorting items into one of four groups: whites, lights, darks, towels/linens; processing loads through washing machine; moving loads to dryer; folding; putting away in drawers; hanging hang-ups; ironing; mending; purging closets and drawers of clothes no longer warn; storing clothes out of season; storing coats and winter gear; storing shoes
A glitch at any point in a system threatens the entire process. By analyzing each system's elements I hope to be able to identify and repair problem areas....
By the time my children are grown and gone I should have housekeeping down to a science.
P.S. If you want a good chuckle, read this article from Housekeeping Monthly in 1955, recommended by my favorite Rush Limbaugh substitute host, Walter E. Williams, an economist: http://www.gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/misc/days.pdf It's priceless.
5 comments:
Then there's the "Getting Someone to Help" or "Delegating" system.
1. Identify the job to be delegated: is it too big for one person? - is it better done by someone else? - is it age-appropriate for one of the children? - is my time too limited to do it myself? - is it a high-enough priority to even worry about? - how much crap will I get by even asking for help? - who else will targeted for delegating by the person I have chosen? - will it even get done if I do ask? - how much effort will be involved to make sure it is done.
2. Listen to the expertly deployed countermeasures: - "I did it yesterday!" - "Why can't [name] do it?" - "It's not my turn!" - "I'm doing homework!" (usually followed up immediately by grabbing a backpack) - "I've already done [pick a chore] today" - "You always pick on me!" - "That's not fair" - and, of course, your favorite: "Sure, honey!"
3. Follow up on the job's progress to see: a) if the person is working on it, b) if the person 'forgot', c) if the person knows where the 'tools' are they will need, d) if the person is remotely doing it how you want it done, e) if there's any permanent damage occurring, f) if WWIII has broken out, OR g) if the person considers doing 10% of the job as having completed the assignment.
4. Praise the target of your delegation for a job well done, and then finish the job yourself.
Scott, It isn't so much that others can't do the job almost as well as I can. But I do need to delegate to our children more. I underestimate their ability to help out (and they do, too).
So your a big Rush Limbaugh fan hu? Do you think Micheal J. Fox is
" Faking it" like Rush does? Listen, I am your brother and I love you but TURN OFF THE PROPAGANDA Rush is a bigoted, narrow minded, bias, Oxy Contin sniffing Facist and he is poisoning your head. He is not a journalist he is a voice for the elitist, the callous, and the uncaring. He makes values like peace and compassion seem radical and un-american. While the Bush administration quites the masses by throwing them bread crumbs with the economic stimulus payments we teder at the brink of a world wide economic depression with gas prices over $8.00 a gallon in some states. Listen to classical music or read a newspaper, or for that matter do your journalistic duty and research topics on your own but that radio show is inflammatory and is separating Americans rather then uniting them. It gapens the divide between the parties rather then strengthening and unifying our country and genuinely working to create a solution ." A house divided can not stand."
Abriham Lincoln
If you actually post this I will truly believe that you support our constitutional liberties and will have a new respect for your journalistic integrity, as well I will buy you lunch at a non corporate restaurant of your choosing:)
Love,
Mark Brocksmith
my blood runs purple
Mark, regarding your comment (which I did publish, but not for a free lunch or to insure my journalistic principles) – you have always known that I am a Rush fan, so don’t act surprised. You’ve apparently never listened to his program for any length of time but have accepted what you’ve heard about it from his critics, who are legion. He is not an unbiased journalist at all and makes no pretense of being – he’s a thinker, and he makes others think, both fans and non-fans. Liberals listen to him to get their blood flowing and sharpen their arguments. Conservatives like me (who can endure his enormous ego, which is part of his schtick) listen because he reaffirms their own beliefs and states them in emphatic, creative ways. Check your liberal belief system and see if you support free speech, even when (especially when) you disagree with it. You might also listen to Rush sometime, not to become a conservative convert but to be mentally stimulated and entertained. (KNRS 570 on the AM dial, 10:00am-1:00pm Mon.-Fri.)
One last comment to Mark, you know Rush is a fellow Missourian. You might have more in common than you think.
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