Reminder to me: baby steps

I woke up this morning feeling very negative and disappointed in myself. You see, my semester officially begins today but my classes this semester are on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday so I have one more day. But I had had big plans to get some things accomplished around the house during my break. The major project was to sort, purge and organize the kids' toys. They are taking over the house and the kids don't seem to know how to clean them up or where to put them. I was able to spend one afternoon before Christmas going through some things in the play room but I didn't get very far. It is a HUGE undertaking and one that I think will be most productive when the kids aren't here to protest when I dredge up toys they haven't played with for a year.

So, waking up and realizing that my break is coming to an end with so much left to accomplish, I was feeling like a failure. Again. Can't keep up. Why do I do this to myself? Then I remembered last year I vowed to take the Fly Lady's advice and take baby steps. With so much to do, it is easy to feel overwhelmed. When I feel overwhelmed I give up because I feel like I'll never get it done so why even try to begin? But, the Fly Lady suggests setting a timer for 15 mins every day and work on one project. After several days/weeks/months (depending on the size of the project), it will be completed. Then you move on to the next project. Break it down into manageable size and take it on in small chunks. It makes so much sense so why can't I do it? I need to just work on new habits. I have to be ok with sorting through one small box of toys each day for 15 mins then setting it aside until the next day. It will get done quicker that way than if I wait until I have more time to complete it in one sitting.

So, that is my major goal for 2010: baby steps, baby steps, baby steps.