No Time or Energy for Housework?…Reward Yourself!

There never seems to be enough hours in the day to do housework among the many other tasks that we must do for work, family, school, etc.  We all want clean homes but where do we find the time and energy?  REWARD YOURSELF!  You will be surprised how much housework you can accomplish!

Don’t you work hard and like to be rewarded?  In the workplace, employees work for the reward of a paycheck on payday.  In school, students work for the grade on their report cards and a diploma at graduation.  In a marathon, runners work for the medal to hang around their chest and the title of “Winner.”  These things are all tangible rewards that we are willing to expend much energy and hard work toward. 

So where is the reward in housework?  Well, of course, we have pride and the visual reward of seeing our homes clean, neat and tidy.  We also have the security in knowing our homes are more healthy when they are cleaned and sanitized regularly.  Personal satisfaction is gratifying indeed.  Therefore, we should be happy working a job without a paycheck, right? How about going to school for many years just for the personal satisfaction, but receive no grade or sheepskin?  Does the marathon runner who has no one in front of him at the finish line just cross that line with the intention of heading to his car in the parking lot? 

Rewards are sought after with much more earnest effort.  When the task before us seems dauntingly difficult, we approach it with a different mindset when we know we will bear fruits from our labor. Further, our acceptance of the rewards brings gratification and a sense of achievement particularly when it seems that no one else in the household seems to notice our efforts.  It’s a form of positive reinforcement that we give to ourselves. 

re·ward  n. (ri-wórd’)

1. Something given or received in recompense for worthy behavior or in retribution for evil acts.

2. Money offered or given for some special service, such as the return of a lost article or the capture of a criminal.

3. A satisfying return or result; profit.

4. Psychology The return for performance of a desired behavior; positive reinforcement.

tr.v. re·ward·ed, re·ward·ing, re·wards

1. To give a reward to or for.

2. To satisfy or gratify; recompense.

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[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman, from rewarder, to take notice of : re-, intensive pref. (from Latin; see re- + warder, to guard, watch over of Germanic origin; see wer-³in Indo-European roots).]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

You deserve to be rewarded for the hard work you perform in the process of housework.  But WHO will reward you?  Your spouse and children might possibly say something about the house smelling clean.  Your friends and visitors may complement you on your home.  The repairman may thank you that he doesn’t have to step over a pile of laundry to get to the washing machine.  But do you really want to take that chance?  And would that be enough?  Working hard without reward can lead to–among other things–irritability, unfullfillment, depression, and possibly even illness. 

If you set a goal for a task, also allow yourself a reward.  For example, let’s say your child’s bedroom is a complete disaster and you must tackle it TODAY for fear that within another day or two you may have to send in a search party to find the little kiddo.  As you make your way into the clutter, think of something special you would love to do (or buy…or play…or someone you would like to visit or call, etc.).  This will be your reward.  The drudgery and dread that usually accompanies such a massive task will seem so much lighter when you have something to look forward to.

Here are some examples of housework REWARDS:

• Allow yourself one hour of special television time to watch that show that you love but rarely get to see (of course, you could fold a load laundry or two while you’re watching…maybe)
• Buy yourself a new color of eye shadow
• Plan a special dinner out or order a pizza to be delivered – no cooking! (since there’s no kitchen cleanup involved here, after everyone has settled in their respective bedrooms you could do a quick mop of the floors.  Just be sure to reward yourself again…maybe try the next item)
• A nice bubble bath with candles and music – uninterrupted (don’t forget to rinse those bubbles down the drain afterwards…just a little wipe with your towel and now you’ve cleaned the tub)
• Give yourself at least 20 minutes to catch up with an old friend by telephone (a little dusting around while on the phone and it doesn’t really even seem like housework)
• A manicure, pedicure or massage (or, heck, all three!)
• Some “fun” time on the computer that’s not work-related (wouldn’t hurt to let your washing machine wash those towels and washcloths while you are surfing the web)
• A game of Wii by yourself or with your family
• Time to read a few chapters of that book on your nightstand or the magazine in the bathroom (a great time to let your dryer take care of those towels and washcloths you left in the washer)
• Take a walk, swim a few laps, or try out that new fitness DVD (maybe another load of laundry here)
• Spend 30 minutes going through old cd’s and listen to some you haven’t heard in years
• ……Whatever it takes to get you excited enough to do the housework!

These are only suggestions to get you started.  In time, you will find what works best for you.  The important goal is to remember to reward yourself!  You may already have a “reward system” that works for you.  Tell us how you REWARD yourself!  Would love to read your comments!

CAUTION: Rewards should be in proportion to the task.  You will only be cheating yourself otherwise. Happy Rewards!

 

Author: Decotta Brooks, Founder of Housework Haters Club

2009 © All Rights Reserved