Many years ago, as a young newlywed and a most inexperienced
baalebusta, I met a woman who, I think, was the most
influential person in my marriage. She edited a newsletter
which circulated among the English speaking women of our
community. In one issue she discussed organization of the
home. This is no minor issue and sometimes can even lead to
divorce.
The story is told of a young man who came to the Ponevizher
Rosh Yeshiva and founder, R' Kahaneman zt'l, to
arrange a get from his wife. He could not stand the
disorder in his home. The Rosh Yeshiva told him to come back
the following day. Beforehand, he instructed his rebbetzin
to creat total chaos in their home, to empty out closets and
strew their contents everywhere.
When the young man appeared on the following day, the Rosh
Yeshiva seemed very engrossed in study and would not even
look up. Meanwhile, the young man looked around him,
disbelieving that a person could live in such a mess. The
Rosh Yeshiva stalled for more time and the young man began
to have second thoughts about the divorce. Finally, he got
up, thanked him and left.
Not all men have mentors like Hagaon R' Kahaneman and few
are willing to put up with a mess for any length of time.
The following is a basic, simple and efficient system of
organizing your home all around the year. It is called the
"Three List System." Here's how it works:
The first thing to do is to get a notebook. On the first
page, write up three lists. The first is: "Must Do." On this
list, jot down all the things that enter your mind that need
doing but which have no specific deadline to meet.
The second list is entitled: "This Week." On this list you
write all the things you know you must get done this
week, and alongside each chore -- which day you assume
would be best to get the job done.
The third list is called: "Today." The way you begin moving
is when you are able to transfer things from the "Must Do"
list to the "This Week" list and from the "This Week List"
to the "Today" list.
A sample "Must Do" List:
1) Fix Rivky's lunch box
2) Mend Moishe's socks
3) Clean fridge
4) Organize bookcase
5) Write article for newspaper / letters / pay bills
Notice that none of the items on the list have a deadline to
meet. Nevertheless, they must get done. Make a resolution
that you will transfer at least one item on this list, each
week, to the "This Week" list.
A Sample "This Week" List:
1) Clean fridge (Wednesday)
2) Take Mendy to dentist (Thursday)
3) Shop for Shabbos (Monday)
4) Go to Chana's PTA meeting (Sunday)
5) Visit Savta at old-age home (Tuesday)
Notice that I chose as item #1 on the list a job I had
listed on the "Must Do" list. I then decide which day of the
week would be most appropriate to take care of each matter
of the "This Week" list, that is, items that had no pre-set
date.
A sample "Today" List:
Monday:
1) Shop for Shabbos
2) Prepare lunch
3) Clean up house
4) Call Zelda and ask for cheese cake recipe
5) Go to park with children
6) Supper, baths, bedtime
Notice how I transferred the "Shop for Shabbos" from the
"This Week" list to the "Today" list. As our "Must Do" list
starts dwindling, we will always find more items to add on,
in place of those that were `promoted' to the "This Week"
list.
Sounds complicated? Not at all! Once you get the gist of it,
you won't be able to function any other way, I promise. So
get out there and buy that precious notebook and begin
making your three lists.
Happy Housekeeping!
