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The First Five and Last Five are ten things you do each day, without fail. The Last Five make the morning run smoothly, and the First Five make the rest of the day more smoothly. Close your eyes and imagine your morning routine. What are five things you can do to make it better? Would it help to set up your coffee maker or set the table for breakfast in advance?

My Last Five

• Pick up toys in the living room

• Pick up books in the living room

• Pick up shoes in the living room

• Clean off dining room table

• Load and run the dishwasher

My First Five

• Unload the dishwasher

• Make the bed

• Vacuum

• Wipe down bathroom

• Groom self

The 5/5 have great potential. When used every day, they help you develop good habits. If I do my 5/5 faithfully, my house won't be too embarrassing if someone stops by. If you're not feeling motivated to do any major cleaning, a good 5/5 list will help keep you above water until you get motivated again.

5/5 combined with a good daily list will get your house cleaner faster than you could have imagined. Your daily list can either be chores for just one room, meaning you clean each room really well at least once a week, or you can work a little in each room each day. I tend to work a little in each room each day, but certain chores get their own days. For example:

• Monday:

  • Wash sheets, towels, bathroom rug. I do this on a sunny day so I can dry them outside, but I usually try to get them done on Monday

• Tuesday

  • Rearrange shelves and dust

• Wednesday

  • Clean and vacuum under couch and other furniture

• Thursday

  • Clean out fridge. I picked this day because Friday is trash day

• Friday

  • Groom the pets, brush them, bathe them if necessary, clip their nails

• Saturday

  • Straighten up computer area

• Sunday

  • I take a day of rest and work on updates on my various web pages.

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