Sundays we celebrate our originality.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and relax. It's really never done. These Day 31 tasks are explained at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. Is it looking pretty sleek and shiny these days? 

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Sunday we follow our inspirations. Everyone's creative. If you don't think of yourself as an artist, enjoy it as play time. Pick up a pen and draw--how about a self portrait? Stick figures are fun. Or you could even use your originality to rearrange a room.
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only: entrance/dining room/front porch. Put away anything that's in the entry of your house that doesn't belong there or doesn't look good there.

HabithackerHealth: 11 minutes of exercise. Yes, even on Sundays, Day of Rest NOT. Add a second 11 if you can.. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Saturday--let's get some stuff out of our cars and then have some fun.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and do the dirty. These Day 30 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

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Draw the line. Don't go below it unless you're an able, habithacker veteran.

Every Saturday you have fun after you declutter your drive. Set your timer for 11 minutes to crawl inside your car on a declutter mission. Get the side pockets, get under the seats, check the ashtrays for bubble gum wrappers.
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only: entrance/dining room/front porch. Clear your dining table of stuff that doesn't belong there.
HabithackerHealth: 11 minutes of exercise. At least. You may be ready for more. Add another 11 if you're able.
 

 

Empty your mind...it's what Fridays are for.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and draw the line. These Day 29 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. Please, please do it.

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Draw the line. Don't go below it unless you're able.

Every Friday we free our minds. Empty your brain into your BOP. Write down everything you need to remember, do, and take care of for the next week. Scan your previous week's lists, too.
Zoning in: Bathroom. Scrub the tub.

HabithackerHealth: Can you do a double 11? (11 minutes plus 11 minutes of aerobics). If not, no worries--stick with a single 11.

It's a Thursday chasing day again.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and remember: it's never to late to get a start on something. These Day 28 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.If you do nothing else, please get this done. 

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Draw the line. Don't even think about taking on the tasks below unless it's something you can handle.
 

Every Thursday we chase. Don't forget your lists.

Zoning in: Bathroom. Wash the bathroom floors.
HabithackerHealth: Can you do a double 11? (11 minutes plus 11 minutes).

WeDnesday: derriere to desk chair plus D-Day

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and start doing 11s. These Day 27 tasks are explained at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. No matter what goes by the wayside, this must not.

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Draw the line. The tasks below are for those ready to tackle them. Are you?

Every WeDnesday is a D-Day. What's a D-Day? 11 minutes of decluttering, of course. If you can manage it, do a double 11. 
Every WeDnesday we put derriere in desk chair and spend  time on paperwork. Pay a few bills and make a list for Thursday's chasing. Make sure you include items from your Menu Monday planning.  
Zoning in: Bathroom. Do the P4 basics, plus do an extra special great job of cleaning any bathroom counters or vanities.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Or more.

Tuesdays of the black beast

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and take a stroll over to www.habithacker.com to learn some tips and tricks. These Day 26 tasks are explained at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. 

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready for them.

Every Tuesday you beat your bete noire. Attack that black beast of yours, whether it's a jumble of clutter in your closet or car trunk full of junk. 15 minutes is all it takes. 
Every Tuesday is tackle something terrible day. Let's just do the bathroom task below and call it a day, OK?

Zoning in: Bathroom. Do the P4 basics, plus clean the outside of the toilet Yuck. Sorry about this.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Are you ready to do more? If so, add a little more.

Half-assed housekeeping today plus planning some meals

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and add Chasing Thursdays and Car Clutter Saturdays to your plan. These Day 25 tasks are explained at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. Is this becoming a habit yet?

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Monday we do 3H, half-assed housekeeping hour. Put on some hard-driving tunes. Set your timer for an hour and one hour ONLY. First, grab a long handled duster and run around like an idiot doing a dip-shit job of dusting the flat surfaces of your living areas, bedroom, and dining room. Next, be a vacuum vixen dancing around hitting the centers of your rooms. Do a quick and crappy job of washing down counters and tables. If you've got any time left, use it on whatever looks the worst to you.

Every Monday is Menu Monday. What's for eats the rest of the week? Make a list and then decide what groceries you'll get on Chasing Day.
Zoning in: Bathroom. Do the P4 basics, plus give your sink a good scrub down.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Are you ready to do more? If so, add a little more.

On Sundays we get creative.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and perform P4. These Day 43 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. Even on your most difficult days, don't neglect this task.

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Draw the line. Don't go below it unless you're an able, habithacker veteran.

Every Sunday we tap into our creativity. Take time for yourself today. Everyone has a creative spirit that needs to be fed. Work on a scrapbook, write a poem, decorate a home-made card, take out your knitting.
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only: Living areas. Check your heating vents for dust bunnies. A quick swipe with a hand-held swiffer duster will do the trick. If you have a fireplace, you might want to do a little dusting around that instead.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. At least. You may be ready for more. Add a minute or two if you're able.
 

 

It's screw-around Saturdays

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and learn to free your mind. These Day 23 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

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Draw the line. Don't go below it unless you're an able, habithacker veteran.

Every Saturday we become decluttering drivers. Set your timer for 15 minutes and run out through the freezing temps to your auto. Bring along paper bag or, if you're a real car-clutterer, a garbage bag. Fill it up with everything that doesn't belong. Unless you're in tropical temps, you can do the sorting once you're inside.
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only: Living areas. It's time to take a look at all your hi-tekkie, electronic, tv-ish, stereo-is, computer-ish, ipodish, dvd-ish, game-ish, etceterish stuff. It wasn't so long ago that we didn't have all this extra stuff to keep clean and organized. Make sure your equipment's well dusted, your CDs are put away, and your cables aren't snaking across the floor.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. At least. You may be ready for more. Add a minute or two if you're able.
 

 

Is your mind clear?

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and ask: Who lives here? These Day 22 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. It's the primary directive and the only thing you must must must do.

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Draw the line. Don't go below it unless you're able.

Every Friday we free our minds. Get out the notebooks, friends, and write some lists: everything you need to remember, do, and take care of for the next week. Scan your previous week's lists, too.
Zoning in: Living areas. Take a big laundry basket or box and run through your family living rooms picking up everything that doesn't belong for 10 minutes. Then spent another 5 or 10 distributing these items to their homes.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. At least. You may be ready for more. Add a minute or two if you're able.

Surprise inspection!

It's like a pop quiz with no grade. Have you shoveled your shitspot today? If so, go get a reward. Right now.

Chase....and pace yourself.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and remember why we're doing this: to have more time for fun, creativity, personal expression. These Day 21 tasks are explained in the column at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.If you do nothing else, please get this done. 

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Draw the line. Don't even think about taking on the tasks below unless it's something you can handle.

Every Thursday we chase. Grab your shopping lists, your overdue library books, and the checks you need to deposit and zoom out good and early. Aren't you glad you cleaned your car last weekend and filled it with gas?
Zoning in: Living areas. Wash the fingerprints off the light switches and doors today.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Are you sweating yet?

It's time for paperwork and a 15 minute D-Day

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and remember: Good enough is plenty good. These Day 20 tasks are explained at left. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. This is the one thing that's most important.

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Draw the line. The tasks below are for those ready to tackle them. Are you?

Every WeDnesday is a D-Day. What's a D-Day? 15 minutes of decluttering, of course. 
Every Wednesday we spend a little time on paperwork. Got any shredding to do? Go for it. And don't forget to make a list for Thursday's chasing. Make sure you get items from your Menu Monday brainstorming.  
Zoning in: Living areas. I know you did some half-assed dusting on Monday, but today's the real deal. Detail dust for 15 minutes.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Just do it.
January's Habit: Polish your place. No matter what else you do, this is the fundamental rule.

Why are Tuesdays terrible? Because you'll meet your bete noire.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and customize it. These Day 19 tasks are explained at left.

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Draw the line. Don't even think about taking on the tasks below unless you're ready--really really ready.

Every Tuesday you beat your bete noire. Your black beast awaits. What is it? Where is it? Mine is my basement and I'm on my way to 15 minutes of beating the chaos back. 
Every Tuesday is tackle something terrible day. If you're a real glutton for punishment, go to your BOP list of things you're avoiding. Spend a little time on something.
Zoning in: Living areas. Take a look up today and use a long-handled duster to get the cobwebs.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Just do it.
January's Habit: Polish your place. No matter what else you do, this is the fundamental rule.

3H and Menu Mondays

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and control your cuisine (unless it's your birthday...in that case, take the day off). These Day 18 tasks are explained at left.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Monday we do 3H, half-assed housekeeping hour . On your mark, get set, go. For one hour, zip around the house doing a lousy job of dusting, vacuuming, washing whatever feels the dirtiest. One hour ONLY. Then stop. Anything you missed is fine. After all, Monday will come around again next week and you can go at it in a half-assed way again. 
Every Monday is Menu Monday. Roughly sketch out a meal plan for the following week. Jot down anything you need to buy when you're out chasing on Thursday. Remember: you only grocery shop once a week.
Zoning in: Living areas. This includes your living room, den, family room, rec room...wherever your family does its living-it-up. Today, pick up and put away any reading materials--magazines, books--you've left out.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

It's Sunday...and that means it's time for some creative juice.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), and control your cuisine. These Day 17 tasks are explained at left.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Sunday we get creative. Here's an idea: why not decorate your BOP? Use gel pens or markers. If you're going the 3-ring binder route, get a binder with a cover that lets you insert photos you've printed from your computer. (If you're new here, see Day 8 at left for an explanation of your Brain on Paper.)
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only:  Bedroom. No warrioring today, folks. Take advantage of your clean bedroom, have a bath, go to bed early. 
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Yes, even on Sundays, Day of Rest NOT. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Saturday. Sunshine and a fine time....except for crap-filled car detailing.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP), finish a fast Fit15 and beat your bête noire. These Day 16 tasks are explained at left. Add more if you want.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Saturday we cart out the crap in our cars. Dearest habithackers, you think I believe that you actually REALLY cleaned out your cars the last few times I begged you to do so? I know you can do better. Take a paper bag outside and fill it with your cigarette butst (no, not yours, I'm sure) and soda cans (probably Diet Pepsi if I know you). Then carry in to your house all your important items, like receipts, books, misplaced billls, etc.
Zoning in: Weekend Warriors only:  Bedroom. Things must be looking pretty good in that bedroom by now. Today, I'd like you to strip your bed and remake it with clean, cozy sheets. 
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of exercise. Yes, even on the weekends. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Free your mind Fridays.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) and do a Fitness15. These Day 15 tasks are explained iat left. Add more if you want.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Friday we free our brains. Poor, poor overloaded brain. Aren't you glad you now have an auxiliary brain in the form of your Brain on Paper? Once again, sit for 15 minutes and write out anything you have to do or want to remember. Don't worry about actually doing this stuff. Just write it down. Free your brain for the creative things by draining out all the BS. 
Zoning in: Bedroom. This might take more than 15 minutes. If you want, stop at 15 whether or not you've finished. Today dust your flat surfaces, which should be easy since they're clear. Then do a thorough vacuum. This is not the 3H center-of-room-only style. Get the corners and get under the bed and into the closet. Stores like Target and Bed, Bath, Beyond have great tools for dusting under beds if you've got hard surface floors. 
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of heart happy exercise.  
January's Habit: Polish your place.

On Thursdays we chase. And not our tails.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) by following your routines. Do a D-day today, and then add daily or weekly or periodic decluttering D-days  to your BOP schedule. These Day 14 tasks are explained in column at left. You can add the following if you wish.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Thursday we chase.   
As soon as you get in your car, check your gas tank to make sure it's full. If you are close to a quarter tank, fill up today. Next, if you skipped cleaning your car last Saturday, spend a few minutes tidying up. Then do your chasing. What's chasing? Running errands...and getting them all done at once so you're not running out every day or so, which is a bit like chasing your tail. Make sure you use a list. 
Zoning in: Bedroom. Take 15 minutes to clear the floor of your closet. If you are able and you have enough room, don't store stuff on the floor. If you're tight for space, hang up the robes and sweaters that have fallen (or have been thrown) onto the floor, throw away any trash, straighten the shoes. 
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of heart happy exercise. That's easy. 
January's Habit: Polish your place. If you do nothing else today, do this. Preferably twice.

Pah. It's the Wednesday wilds of paperwork. How unlucky is that?

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) by following your morning and evening routine. And do a double D-day. These Day 13 tasks are explained in column at left. You can add the following if you wish.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Wednesday we work on paperwork.  
If you didn't do your bills last week, start there. If you're caught up, grab the first available stack of papers and for 5 minutes go through one at a time categorizing for the garbage can (keep it next to your chair), for filing, and for things you need to get done. In the next five minutes, file as many papers as you can and get done what you can.  Finally, grab paper and pen to make an errand and shopping list to use tomorrow. Never leave the house without a list. 
Zoning in: Bedroom. Take 15 minutes to do a crapclear of the top of your dresser. First grab everything that's garbage and toss it. Next, take any dirty glasses or dishes to the kitchen. Then put away the clothes stacked there. If you still have time, tackle the jewelry and coins sitting there. (If it's someone else's money, claim it for yourself. Finders Keepers.) If your timer still hasn't run down, dust your cleared nightstands or start relocating items you swept from your bed into a laundry basket on Monday. 
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of heart happy exercise. That's easy.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

It's another terrible task Tuesday.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) by following your morning and evening routine. And onward to your first D-day. These Day 12 tasks are explained in column at left. You can add the following if you wish.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Tuesday it's Tackle-the-Terrible Day 
Look back into your BOP for the list of things you've been avoiding. Either work for 15 minutes on the same one you began to tackle last week or choose a new one.  
Zoning in: Bedroom. Take 15 minutes to do a crapclear of your nightstands. First grab everything that's garbage and toss it. Next, take any dirty glasses or dishes to the kitchen. Then put away the jewelry, books, magazines, and prescription bottles that have found their way there. If you've got any time left, dust your cleared nightstands or start relocating items you sweeped from your bed into a laundry basket yesterday.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of heart happy exercise. That's easy.
January's Habit: Polish your place. 

Mondays mean another half-assed housekeeping hour

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) by following your morning and evening routine. Remember the Science of Seven. Those are your tasks for Day 11, (explained in column at left). You can add the following if you wish.

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Draw the line. Don't take on any of the tasks below unless you're ready.

Every Monday it's 3H or Half-Assed Housekeeping Hour. 
Set your timer and stick to it. You're going to spend 1 hour, NO MORE, doing a superficial job of cleaning your house. You can spread this out throughout the day in 15 minute intervals. If Mondays aren't your day to 3H, choose another day. Or spread it out during the week. It's your BOP so you can customize the habits the way you want. Turn on the music, habithackers. Turn it on loud. Grab a feather duster or a rag or a Swiffer dealie and swipe the most noticeably dusty flat areas. No more than 5 minutes in living room, 5 in bedroom, 5 in another room. Grab your vacuum or broom or a Swiffer and attack the middles of the rooms. Don't relocate the furniture or pick up magazines or get under rugs. A half hour of such half-assed floor maintenance is all you should do. Then wipe down your kitchen counters. You are now about 45 minutes into 3H and you're sweating and singing and getting a nice aerobic workout. Finally, spend the rest of your hour on casual wipe ofyour bathroom sinks, quick swishies in your toilets and a spray and a swipe on bathroom mirror. That's it for 3H.
Zoning in: the bedroom. Since you're beat from 3H, let's make it easy. Clear anything off your bed that shouldn't be there and then make the bed. You don't have to put the stuff away. Throw it in a laundry basket for now.
HabithackerHealth: 15 minutes of heart happy exercise. Go do it.
January's Habit: Polish your place. Don't forget about this simple but great habit. It's life changing.


.

Sundays. Follow your creative inspirations.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) and make your self-help wallet card. Those are your tasks for Day 10, (explained in column at left). You are preparing to declutter your house, your mind, and your life. If you're up for the extras, you can add what's below.

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Draw the line. Don't venture below unless you really feel you can. There's plenty of time.

Sundays you can follow your inspiration. 
Did you know they make coloring books for adults? If you don't already have a hobby or craft you're passionate about, coloring with pens or pencils or markers can be remarkably soothing. 
Zoning in: take the day off the kitchen unless you want to be a weekend warrior. If so...
Don't forget: weekend zone work is optional. You've purged spices, your countertops, your pantry, even the photos and magnets on the outside of your fridge this week. Now spend 15 minutes tackling the inside of your refrigerator. Drag your garbage can over and throw stuff directly in. Don't keep the Asian stir-fry sauce you've not used in a year or the moldy roasted peppers. Be brutal. Tomorrow we move to the bedroom.

HabithackerHealth: You never get a day off from your 15 minutes of exercise, alas. Just think how happy you'll be at your next official weigh-in. Did you weigh yourself on Day 1 and put your other measurements in a safe place on the floor of your closet?  If you've not yet done this, do it today. 
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Saturdays are for goofing off. Mostly.

Obey your brain on paper (BOP) by following your morning and evening routine. Make your D-Day kit.
Above are your tasks for Day 9, (explained in column at left). You can add the following if you wish.

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Draw the line. Are you really ready to do more? You don't have to, you know.

Saturdays you get to fool around. Fun and frolic and...what's this? Clean the car? 
Your car is a wreck, no? How did I know? Because mine is, too. Take 15 minutes, no more, to cart out the crap. If you are carcrapfree, take 15 minutes to vacuum the inside of your car or wash the front window or even fill it up with gas. If it's too cold to approach your auto, wait until errand day next Thursday to do this.
Zoning in: take the day off the kitchen unless you want to be a weekend warrior. If so...
Take 15 minutes to glare at the outside of your refrigerator. Too many magnets? Too many handprints? Clear and clean the outside of your fridge.
HabithackerHealth: You never get a day off from your 15 minutes of exercise. Sorry. I'm a bag about that. I'm not called Muscle-llini for nothing.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Fridays are for freeing your mind.

Polish your place twice, do your do, celebrate your score, take five, shovel your shitspot, decide on duds, put your brain on paper (BOP) by writing a morning and evening routine.
Above are your tasks for Day 8, (explained in column at left).

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Draw the line. Don't add the following tasks unless you're ready, OK?

Every Friday we free our brains. 
Yes, your brain has been working overtime for years. Here's a trick from David Allen's system of Getting Things Done. Now that you have your BOP notebook, it's time to sit for 15 minutes and write out a list of all the crap you have to do or want to remember. Don't worry about actually doing this stuff. Just write it down. That will allow your brain to stop working so hard to recall all the things you've crammed into it. 
Zoning in: Kitchen. 
Continue the pantry purge you started yesterday. Work for 15 minutes, no more. Set your timer. Do not take out any more stuff than you can purge and put back in 15 minutes.
HabithackerHealth: Are you continuing your 15 minutes of exercise?Don't push it. Just do it. Good.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Thursday's for chasing. What's chasing? Read on...

Polish your place twice, do your do, celebrate your score, take five, shovel your shitspot, and decide on duds. These are your tasks for Day 7, (explained in column at left). What are you going to wear tomorrow? I know. Most of your clothes are in the wash. Laundry is hell on earth. But don't worry. On Day 30 we'll cover a method for dealing with the dirty. If you're up to doing anything more, check out Thursday's chasing routine and zone work.

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Draw the line. Don't add the following tasks unless you're ready, OK?

Every Thursday we chase. 
Oh, how we love to "chase." Or not. Chasing, in habithacker parlance, is running errands. Get your grocery shopping done, do your banking, and all the other stuff you've been spreading out throughout the week. If you've been good--and I know you have--stop at Michael's or Hobby Lobby or JoAnne and get yourself a special something to play with on creative Sundays. 
Zoning in: Kitchen. 
You lied. You said you threw away your spices. If you didn't, steel yourself and try again. If you did, it's time to peep into your pantry or into the cupboards where you keep your food. Purge here, too. Your local food bank will be happy to take non-expired items. Your garbage can is the place for expired stuff. If you are pretty well purged already, Choose one shelf to organize. Work for 15 minutes, no more.
HabithackerHealth: Are you getting used to your 15 minutes of exercise? Good.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Wednesday's work is paperwork.

Polish your place twice, do your do, don't forget to take frequent 5-minute breaks, and celebrate your accomplishments. Today add this: shovel your shitspot for five minutes. 
Above are your tasks for Day 6, (explained further in column at left). This is all you need to do, but if you want, add the following. 

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Draw the line. And don't venture below unless you're ready, OK?

 

Every Wednesday we work on paperwork.  
It's amazing how it builds up. Today, pay any outstanding bills. Then, grab paper and pen to make an errand and shopping list to use tomorrow. Don't leave the house without a list. 
Zoning in: Kitchen. 
It's spice-vice  time. Do you have a Spice Islands oregano from 1982? Throw away any spices older than 3 years. Don't give me any guff about this. This is lenient. Most people say spices are not worth keeping if they're over a year old. Make a list of the spices you need to replace. Penzey's, originating in Wisconsin, is the best place to buy and you can do so online. Secondly, make sure you've got a good spot to keep all your spices. If they are spread all over the kitchen (Mom, this means you), consolidate them into one spot. Make note of any new spice holders you need to buy.
Habithacker Health: Wake up, do your make up, and then shake it up. With 15 minutes of exercise.
January's Habit: Polish your place. 

Tuesdays are for tackling something terrble.

Polish your place twice, do your do, celebrate your score, and take five.
Above are your tasks for Day 5, (explained in column at left). Breaks are very important. We'll explore this more later. This is ALL you need to do, but if you want, add the following. 
Every Tuesday it's Tackle-Something-Terrible Day 
Set your timer. For 5 minutes, make a list of things you've been putting off. Then spend the next 10 minutes, NO MORE, getting a start on one of these things. Remember: you do not need to finish the Terrible Something. Do not take any more out than you can tackle in these 10 minutes. 
Zoning in: Kitchen.(If your kitchen is too messy to start with details, tidy for 15 minutes.) Today, take 15 minutes to examine and clear your countertops. Set your timer and stop all activity at the 15 minute point. Remove any appliances that you don't use either daily or at least 3x/week and find homes for them elsewhere in your kitchen. Better yet, give them away. If you keep any tools or utensils or dishwashing accessories on the countertop ask yourself: is this the best place for them? If so, keep them in a pretty container. As you move things around, give your countertops a thorough wash-down. 
HabithackerHealth: Once again, engage in at least 15 minutes of heart healthy activity. If you can't do it all at once, split it up.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

Mondays are for Half-Assed Housekeeping Hour.

Polish your place twice, do your do, and celebrate your score.
Above are your tasks for Day 4, (explained in column at left). This is all you need to do, but if you want, add the following. 
Every Monday it's 3H or Half-Assed Housekeeping Hour. 
Spend 1 hour, NO MORE, doing a superficial job of cleaning your house. You can spread this out throughout the day in 15 minute intervals. Here's what to do today: Put some kick-ass hard-driving tunes on the stereo. Grab a feather duster or a rag or a Swiffer dealie and swipe the most noticeably dusty flat areas. No more than 5 minutes in living room, 5 in bedroom, 5 in another room. Grab your vacuum or broom or a Swiffer and attack the middles of the rooms. Don't move any furniture or magazines or rugs or the Vacuum Vamp will suck you up and spit you out. No more than 10 minutes living room, 10 bedroom, 10 another room. Spend 5 minutes washing your kitchen counters and table. Finally, spend another 10 minutes giving a casual swipe to your sink, a little swish in your toilet and a little spray on your bathroom mirror. That's it for your first 3H Monday. 
Zoning in: Kitchen. (If your kitchen is too messy to start with details, clean it for 15 minutes.) Today, clean your microwave. Here's an easy way: put 1/4 cup of white vinegar plus 1/4 cup of water in an uncovered bowl and turn the microwave heat to high. When water boils and the inside of the microwave gets steamy, turn it off and wait ten minutes. Then remove the vinegar solution and use it to wipe the inside surfaces along with the outside. (When you're done with the vinegar water, use it to clean your sink 
HabithackerHealth: Do at least 15 minutes of heart-healthy exercise. Eat smaller portions at dinner tonight.
January's Habit: Polish your place.
Whew. That felt difficult. What do you think?

Inspired Sundays. Do something creative.

Polish your place twice and do your do.
Read the tasks for Day 3 in column at left. This is all you need to do, but if you want, add the following. 
Every Sunday we indulge our creativity. Have a special craft project you want to work on? Are you a writer? Painter? Sewer? I'll bet you've got a whole drawer or a whole room full of creative toys that you never seem to have time to play with. That ends this year. Every Sunday we'll do at least one creative activity.
Zoning-in: No zone work on weekends unless you're a real weekend warrior. If you are, spend 15 minutes--NO MORE--doing a little work. Our zone for next week is the kitchen, so tidy up in there and get ready for some specific missions.
HabithackerHealth: Do at least 15 minutes of heart-healthy exercise.
January's Habit: Polish your place.
How do ya feel today? Did you plan a sewing project? Make a pair of earrings? Do tell.

Saturdays are for fun and frolic.

Polish your place and do your do.
Above are your tasks for Day 2, (explained in column at left). This is all you need to do, but if you want, add the following.
Every Saturday we free our mind from work and worry and do whatever we feel like doing...even if it's nothing.
Zoning-in: No zone work on weekends unless you're a real weekend warrior. If you are, spend 15 minutes--NO MORE--doing a little work.
HabithackerHealth: Weigh yourself and measure your parts. Write the numbers down and put them into a container. Close the container and put it on the floor of your closet.
January's Habit: Polish your place.

New Year's Day: Time to play and....

Polish your place.
Complete the task for Day 1. Follow the directions in the column on the left. Today's a holiday, so don't feel you need to do anything more.
Zoning-in: Entry/diningroom/porch (If your entry/diningroom/porch is too messy to start with details, tidy for 15 minutes.)
Spend 15 minutes total, NO MORE, doing a quick sweep of these areas.
January's Habit: Polish your place.
Post a comment below. Tell us what place you're going to polish today and every day. Will you shine your sink or clear your desk or???