Day Eleven

Well the plan is to take two minutes to straighten out the bathroom. Necklaces, brushes, etc. need to be put away. There is a vision of having a clean mirror in sight. Okay. Off I go, and then I'm heading to bed. No fun am I? Well hopefully next week it will be more exciting. I've got Spring Break! YEAH!

: )

Day Ten

After a day like today, I took two minutes to make some tea. Maybe it will help make my headache go away. Sorry to be the Debby Downer. This is a happy song for you though!

Thanks for reading!

-Pattertwig

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Day Nine

Salad. I like it. I usually have it as part of my lunch actually and I enjoy it. Lately I have been trying to make some healthier food choices (trying is the key word). So while Shark Bait was here, I cut up some fresh veggies etc. for us to nibble on. It didn't take much time, and it was super nice to have here and there over the course of the past few days. This morning I added them to my lunch! Yeah healthy choices!

Usually I try to incorporate some sort of protein into my salad so that I can last all afternoon. Lately it has been in the form of cheese, or two slices of lunch meat. My favorite however has got to be chicken.

I can make two pieces of chicken at night, and then eat one, and save the other for lunch later on. Or I can cut up the chicken, and make it last a few more days in my salad.

So today, I took the time to cut up not one chicken, but two. I should be all set for a few days! All in little baggies, ready to throw together. The amount of time it took? About Two Minutes. Typical.

-Pattertwig

Day Eight

Laundry. The bane of my existence. I'll wash it. I'll dry it. Fold it? Eh. Perhaps. If there is a good movie on, it helps. Putting it away...well...I think some of my readers will empathize with my frustration with the laundry process.

Upon reflection I think a piece of my frustration lies in the maintaining of motivation. Let me explain. Usually, on the outset of the laundry process, I'm quite eager to begin. I sort. Pile. Cheerfully throw in a load with soap. I turn the button, and, PRESTO! I wait. Well to be honest usually during this time I find some new adventure to occupy my time. Suddenly I realize the washer is off! Oh yeah! It isn't much to move the load over to the dryer. No problem. The chime (pardon, more like a HEART ATTACK WAITING TO HAPPEN FROM A BUZZER THAT I CAN'T TURN OFF!!!) communicates the end of the dryer cycle.

Now I come to my point. I no longer care about laundry. It's been over 45 minutes since the process started. I've found 3 different magazines to read, my facebook to divert the brain, blog to type, started a Skype conversation with a sister, and have probably put off starting in on some scholastic endeavors. All of this in the time it took for ONE load to be dried. One! I'm not even finished withe the process! It has to continue!

I don't get how some people do it. An acquaintance in college used to brag about how he had it timed down to a two hour process. He would take all of his clothes, presorted of course, to the laundry mat. there he would start 2 loads while he soaked a third...took out the delicate at the precise time...never had a miss matched sock in his life...bla bla bla...

Yeah that's not me. I live by the, waste not, want not motto. Who the heck cares if I only have 5 whites this week? I'll just throw a few of these jeans in here, and we will call it a "load."

My mother used to spend one day just focused on doing laundry. She would start in the morning, and I distinctly remember her still ironing at three in the afternoon! That woman has STAMINA!

I, on the other hand, am like the Wily Coyote. While I see the wisdom of starting a task and following through to completion, I also see that there are 7 other things I could be doing right now. Thus at the end of the day I have started 8 different projects, and not finished a single one!

It was my goal last quarter to do at least two loads of laundry during the week. Thus spreading out the pain of having to fold piles upon piles of clothes. This actually as worked out really well (I do recommend it). However, with company (My dear Shark Bait had to leave this morning), I didn't feel as though I could quite as easily pull out my darks and lights to throw them in the wash. 

All this to say: Today's goal? Fold a load of Laundry Woman!

So two of my minutes were spent folding and putting away the first load. I do much better when the load is warm and fresh out of the dryer. That alarm still does not endear me to the dryer any more then it did the first day that it rang. However, at least then I do not have the excuse of "not remembering."

There are two more piles to fold, and maybe I'll get there before bed. If not? Well. I always can take another Two Minutes Tomorrow.


-Pattertwig

Day Seven

Well I've been attempting all week to apply the Two Minute concept to other areas of life. Growing up we did not have an automatic dishwasher. We had the saying, "You don't work, then you don't eat." That was pretty much it. If you set the table then someone else had to wash the dishes. And let me tell you...there were dishes! What a common man would consider the "Thanksgiving Pile," was an every day occurrence at the homestead. We won't even discuss Thanksgiving. That was a completely different argument. Anyway, as I was saying, the pile of dishes was all washed by hand. It was the standard operating procedure. That's just what we had to do.

Now a days we have these AWESOME things called dishwashers. They are installed practically everywhere. They save so much time and energy. Added bonus: they have the ability to kill germs from school quiet effectively.

Here is where the problem comes in. Growing up, all I had to do was put my dishes in the sink, and walk away. Sometimes I would have to wash them later on, but sometimes I didn't. Even now, I let the dishes stack up and then take about 10 minutes to put things in the dishwasher. It's not bad. However, it does take time.

So this week I have been focusing on trying to put dishes inside the dishwasher as I go along. I would have to say it has worked out fairly well too!

For example, I just realized that Shark Bait (oh, ah, ah) and I have used all of the bowls and spoons. So I put the two spoons, and two cups that were still in the sink, into the dishwasher, added some soap, and presto! I'm done!

So today's tip: Do a little as you go along. It's might be different from how you were raised, but you can change your habits with a little thought and effort.

Day Six

Well today was tough. I mean my feet hurt when we came back from the city. Yes. I live just outside one of the most powerful cities in the world. However, I had acquired some new items for my closet, cabinets and things. So rather then just leave them on the dinning room table, I decided to put my two minutes to work. An excellent choice as I now sit her typing to you with no regrets about the pile of bags that are awaiting me.

Wow.
It's day six.
It's been almost a full week of this.
I kind of like it.
I've gotten some things done that have needed to be done for a while now.
I feel better about the status of my life.
Yes, there are still things that could be done around the place.
However, I am not feeling the pressure to do them all right away.
I can take it in stages.
This is fun!

-Pattertwig

Day Five

It has been sitting there for over a month.
That stupid thing.
It looks dumb.
It's dying.

Why didn't I?
It would have been easy
Just take it to the trash
It's not a far walk
I hate it.

I've wasted
So much energy
'Twas unnecessary
It will take Two Minutes.
I'll Go!

And so we walk
Shark Bait (O, ah ah) and I
Out, down, across the lot
The dumpster looms,
It's gone.

So easy!
In a happier place.
All because I trashed
The dying, and discusting
House Plant.

-Pattertwig

Inspired by the book Love that Dog by Sharon Creech

Day Four

Subtitle: Best Four Minutes So Far!

So as you read yesterday I was ZONKED and did not take time for my Two Minutes. Okay so maybe you could count the few seconds here and there that I took to hang up my coat in the morning, or clean my desk at the end of the day. To be honest, I guess that is kind of the point. Picking up as you go. However, it is not true to my objective, and for those of you who have S.M.A.R.T. goals,  you know it needs to be SPECIFIC!

So today my AWESOME mom reminded me that I needed to take my Two Minutes. (Thanks mom) My very good friend, whom we will refer to as Shark Bait (oo ah ah), has stopped by for a visit this week. So we decided to take 4 minutes to call a very dear friend of ours.   

(Please note: we spent quite some time to uncover the best code name. Which involving the Pirate Code Name Creater coming up with "Cap'n Stu Buttwhipe", " Poop Deck Dan" and "Saggin Jowels Willma." I like Shark Bait best. )

Back to the story!

However, Friend! #1 has recently begun speaking Spanish. Hm. Going to have to verify that new phone number. DISAPPOINTMENT! Not to be swayed from our purpose and cause we decided to phone friend number 2.

*Scene*

Two young ladies sitting on the couch huddled around one blue cell phone.
Pattertwig: It says "Please enjoy the Music"
Shark Bait: Oh, I'm ENJOYING this music!" With much enthusiasm.
P: What happens if she doesn't answer?
P & S said in unison: We should sing a song!
*Laughter*
P: I don't know what song...
* Music Stops*
Friend #2 answers.......................Hello?
P & S: HELLO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joy, Laughter, and lots of fun ensue for all parties involved for the next 8 minutes!

*End Scene*

 

May I sum up what I learned today with two points?

First:
"Sometimes, taking two minutes to focus on making someone's life better makes your OWN life better." -Shark Bait
So true. We laughed really hard, and had a lot of fun and it only took about 8 minutes! Shoot! You can do that on your drive home!

Second: 
If you have someone help you on your Two Minute Goal, you may find that it is easier, AND really fun!

Best of luck my friends and thanks for your patience!

- Pattertwig

Day Three

Can I bank minutes?
Either that or I fell asleep on the couch for more then 2 minutes...which was nice. Ok Ok...I'll bank them.

Pattertwig!

Day Two

Well upon some reflection of yesterdays endeavors, I think I have a few thoughts that may amuse and entertain.

First of all, if you are going to run around the house madly picking things up, music blaring, hair streaming behind you like a crazed person, be prepared to excite the dog. You may also, perhaps, want to warn the neighbors prior to doing a quick 2 minute drill. If they are accustomed to your regular lethargic habits they may think there is a fire.

Other things I learned yesterday? Beds take about 2 minutes to make when you have about 9 pillows. Also it should be said that picking up does not mean you should start the laundry. I am ashamed to say that I was a little distracted and lost some time because I had to put in soap etc. Not a huge loss however, because I had clean pants for the morning!

Overall I would say that I felt that yesterday was a success. I had a much better sense of calmness, and was even inspired to do a bit more tiding up here and there throughout the evening.

Today? Well since I walked in the hizzle about 7:45 this evening (don't ask). I didn't have a big plan for the 2 minute drill. However, rather then dropping everything in a pile, I took my virtual two minutes to "hit the floor." I went and picked up everything I could see on the floor. The pile of books, now on a book shelf. The cup of water, is now in the sink. The towels that were on the floor in the bathroom waiting to be washed, are now being washed. The purse and bags that normally go in the closet? In the closet. The socks I left on the floor yesterday? In the laundry. Not much. No. It made an impact though. I would not be embarrassed to have someone stop by unexpectedly.

Speaking of people stopping by, my former college pal will be visiting the villa this week! I'm very excited! To prepare though, I MUST get the rest of my work done this evening.

Good luck with your own two minute goal!

-Pattertwig

The First Day

I have this thing called an apartment. It's kind of a mess.

There is that pile of books that is still sitting there from Thursday.

The blankets and pillows, remnants of my Saturday afternoon nap, and subsequent basketball watching, are all over the couch.

The laundry? Oh there are piles. Two in the closet, one in the bathroom, and one in the bedroom.

There is also this thing called a bed that I haven't made in over a week. *Sorry mom*

To add to that? Let's just say we are not talking about the kitchen, the sink, the dishwasher, stove, floor, or cabinets.

This is what inevitably happens to me every time! I easily become overwhelmed by the amount of work that I do not have finished, and the guilt sets in. Thus, my Two Minute Challenge begins on rocky soil.

No. No guilt! Start somewhere! One thing. One focus. I don't have to look at it all. Just one thing.

Today's Goal: Straighten and Tidy.

-Please note: This is different then cleaning because you don't actually sterilize anything. That will come later.

It will include: Folding blankets, managing the piles of laundry, and making the bed. I have two minutes. Appropriate music is selected: Newsies Soundtrack- "Seize the Day"

Ready.

Set.

GO!

-Pattertwig

The Idea

I was on my way to college. On my way, with my older sister. Yup. The Dynamic Duo was taking on the collegiate setting together. Living in one room, in a place unknown. My, every so wise, Mom was worried.

Why, you might ask? I recall asking a similar question myself. What could be better then double the closet space!?!?! My mother pointed out what proved to be a very obvious fact. My living habits were no where near as neat and tidy as my aforementioned sisters'.

My good mother encouraged me to read a brief article about "Two Minutes Time." An article I have long since misplaced, but whose message, it seemed, rings very true.

The article expressed the idea that many people were upset and disgruntled about problems that could, in reality, be solved in a matter of two minutes time. Specifically, focusing two minutes to clean, put away, or deal with an issue that we often times avoid.

One example I distinctly recall the article mentioning: coming home from work/shopping/vacation. Often times, the author explained, we come home, and drop everything at the door as soon as we walk in. We just want to relax after a long day! However, in doing so, we have created a mess for our, parents, husbands, roommates, siblings, and guests to walk in on. When someone, other then yourself, walks through the door way, they are met with a pile of bags, containers, or clutter! They've come home in hopes of reaching the same sense of peace and relaxation, to be met with another mess to clean. In addition, they see the person responsible for the "mess" sitting calmly by, not addressing the issue at all.

The article went on to point out that many relationships hit rocky soil over simple things like clutter. The point was that most of the time, these things only take only a few minutes to solve. Simply taking the time to hang up your own coat can eliminate some of the added stress in your life.

So, as I went to college, I practiced the habit. Okay. So maybe I went a little overboard. My later roommates would contest that I was the "Clean Nazi." Maybe I went a little overboard. Post graduation however, saw a regression of the habit. Not that I'm a disgusting slob. No. However, I no longer had a tight schedule to keep, so the idea that I could "do it later" began to form.

Is it horrible to relax? No! Actually, I plan to take every Saturday off! The objective and purpose will remain the same for the next three months:


Each day I will set aside two minutes to specifically help decrease my stress level by doing something that will help benefit myself, and those around me.

I'm choosing three months because, well, I've never done this before. Secondly, I know myself. Setting year long goals is really quite pointless with this kid. So if you would like to join the adventure, please feel free to do so. Even if it is just for one week! That's okay! It's a start in the right direction!

Let me know how you are doing!

All the best,

Pattertwig