If cleaning is overwhelming for you, creating and sticking to a schedule is one of the best ways to slowly, efficiently get it all done. But even if you’re doing it that way, just starting can be tough. There’s no shame in needing to work slowly toward a larger goal. Here’s a way to gradually build up your cleaning schedule.
The one-hour method of cleaning up
I’ve been a proponent of cleaning in small chunks of time for a while. In most cases, 15 minutes per day is all you need to make an impact on your home’s cleanliness over time. When there’s a major mess at hand, though, you might need longer, which is why CleanTok influencer @MommyHasntShowered suggests the “one-hour” rule. It’s what it sounds like: You clean for an uninterrupted hour, focusing only on tidying up, and then stop when the hour is done, rewarding yourself with something you enjoy, like ice cream or a favorite show.
That methodology is similar to a lot of others I advocate for, like the Pomodoro technique or time blocking. In general, whenever you’re doing a task, whether it’s studying, cleaning, answering emails, or something else that’s tedious and resource-heavy, you should block out a span of time, commit to only doing the task for that period, and stop when the time is up, then give yourself a reward. No matter what amount of time you’re giving yourself to do the task, having a hard stop and a reprieve at the end is extremely important for staying motivated.
What I like about the Mommy Hasn’t Showered technique, though, is that it combines those rigid rules with something a little more flexible. The cleaning influencer doesn’t expect you to just start with an hour on the first day you try this. Instead, she says you can work your way up to that amount, starting with five minutes. Even though the goal of using timed bursts is to stay motivated and focused, that doesn’t mean it’s easy to just dive into an hour of work, especially on a task that you don’t love. If cleaning is really a struggle for you, don’t try to bang out an hour right off the bat.
How to work your way up to an hour of cleaning a day
My personal preference is cleaning in 15-minute blocks every day, but that’s not always realistic. The hour is a necessary evil from time to time. To start working your way up to it, schedule your cleaning blocks about three days in advance at first. On the first three days, schedule five minutes. After that, check in with yourself. Was five minutes easy and are you ready to move on to 10 minutes at a time, or was it a struggle? If it was a struggle, just admit that to yourself and stick with the five minutes. If it wasn’t so bad, graduate to 10. Repeat the three-day process, moving from five to 10, then 15, 20, 30, and 45 as you go. Eventually, you’ll be ready to schedule out hour-long blocks of pure cleaning, but you’ll get there at your own pace.
Make sure you’re picking times to do this when you have nothing else going on. I usually suggest picking a time right after work, so you haven’t had time to wind down or get distracted, but you also don’t have other responsibilities, like work calls, to deal with. Your goal should be to focus on cleaning and only cleaning during however long you allot yourself. If you are distraction-free, you’ll be more motivated and focused. Seeing the gradual improvement of your space over time will motivate you more, as will the knowledge that, when the time is up, you’re done and can relax for the day. Slowly, you’ll grow into cleaning for longer periods of time and will have more time to utilize other cleaning techniques. Every day, pick one area to focus on, ideally something small. Your countertop, nightstand, or medicine cabinet are great examples of small spaces that can be tackled in bite-sized blocks of time.
Don’t feel bad if five or 10 minutes are daunting for you, either. Some people enjoy cleaning, but not everyone does. I write about it all day, but I hate it, too, and on days when I’m not motivated and 10 minutes seems like an eternity, I give myself some grace about it. It’s better to do a little of something than nothing, so you’ll feel more positive after a quick 10-minute tidying and that positivity will motivate you for the next day.
It’s not always easy to find cleaning motivation, but this method helps build up the endurance over time.
Amazon’s Leadership and Corporate Culture: Lessons from Jeff Bezos
Amazon, one of the most influential and innovative companies in the world, has a corporate culture and leadership philosophy shaped largely by its founder, Jeff Bezos. Bezos’s approach to leadership and his vision for Amazon have set the company apart in the highly competitive tech and retail sectors. This article explores the key elements of Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture, and the lessons that can be drawn from Bezos’s unconventional methods.
The Bezos Leadership Philosophy
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and his leadership philosophy has been instrumental in driving the company’s success. Central to Bezos’s approach is a relentless focus on the customer. He famously emphasized, “We’re not competitor obsessed, we’re customer obsessed. We start with the customer and we work backwards.” This mantra has guided Amazon’s product development, customer service, and innovation strategies.
Bezos’s customer-centric philosophy manifests in various ways. For instance, Amazon’s customer service policies are designed to maximize customer satisfaction, often going above and beyond industry standards. This includes offering easy returns, fast shipping, and a broad range of products. The commitment to customer experience is not merely a slogan but a guiding principle that influences every aspect of Amazon’s operations.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
Another hallmark of Bezos’s leadership is a strong emphasis on innovation and risk-taking. Bezos has been known for his willingness to experiment and embrace failure as part of the innovation process. His approach is encapsulated in the principle that “failure and invention are inseparable twins.” This mindset has led to the creation of groundbreaking products and services such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Kindle, and Alexa.
Bezos encourages employees to think big and explore unconventional ideas. Amazon’s “Day 1” mentality, as described by Bezos, means treating every day as if it were the first day of the company’s existence. This approach fosters a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, where employees are motivated to push boundaries and explore new possibilities.
The Two-Pizza Rule
Bezos’s leadership style also emphasizes the importance of small, agile teams. The “Two-Pizza Rule” is a notable example of this principle. According to this rule, teams should be small enough to be fed with two pizzas. The rationale behind this is that smaller teams are more effective at communicating and collaborating, which leads to faster decision-making and more innovative solutions.
The Two-Pizza Rule has influenced Amazon’s organizational structure, promoting a decentralized and flexible approach to management. It encourages teams to be autonomous and take ownership of their projects, leading to a more dynamic and responsive organization.
Long-Term Thinking
One of the defining features of Bezos’s leadership is his long-term thinking. Bezos has consistently prioritized long-term goals over short-term gains, a strategy that has often led to criticism from investors focused on quarterly results. However, Bezos believes that focusing on the long term is essential for building a sustainable and successful business.
This long-term perspective is reflected in Amazon’s investments in infrastructure, technology, and talent. For example, Amazon’s substantial investments in its fulfillment network and cloud computing services were made with the expectation of significant long-term returns. Bezos’s willingness to forgo immediate profits in favor of future growth has been a key driver of Amazon’s success.
Leadership Principles
Amazon’s leadership principles are a cornerstone of its corporate culture and reflect Bezos’s values and vision. These principles guide decision-making, employee behavior, and company policies. Some of the most notable principles include:
Customer Obsession: Always start with the customer and work backwards. Work to earn and keep customer trust.
Invent and Simplify: Seek out new solutions and simplify processes to make things easier for customers.
Hire and Develop the Best: Raise the performance bar with every hire and promotion. Recognize exceptional talent and help them grow.
Deliver Results: Focus on the key inputs for your business and deliver them with the right quality and in a timely fashion.
These principles help create a unified company culture where employees are aligned with Amazon’s mission and values. They also serve as a framework for evaluating performance and making strategic decisions.
A Culture of High Standards
Bezos is known for his insistence on high standards, which is reflected in Amazon’s corporate culture. He believes that maintaining high standards is crucial for driving excellence and innovation. This approach has led to a demanding work environment where employees are expected to deliver exceptional results and continuously improve.
While this culture of high standards has contributed to Amazon’s success, it has also been a point of contention. Critics have pointed to the intense pressure and high expectations placed on employees, leading to concerns about work-life balance and employee well-being. Bezos and Amazon have addressed these concerns in various ways, including investing in employee benefits and programs aimed at improving workplace conditions.
Lessons for Other Organizations
Amazon’s leadership and corporate culture offer several valuable lessons for other organizations:
Customer Focus: Prioritizing the customer can drive innovation and create a competitive edge. Companies should continually seek to understand and meet customer needs.
Embrace Failure: Viewing failure as a learning opportunity rather than a setback can foster innovation and resilience. Encouraging experimentation and risk-taking can lead to breakthroughs.
Small Teams, Big Impact: Smaller, autonomous teams can be more agile and effective. Empowering teams to make decisions and take ownership can drive productivity and creativity.
Long-Term Vision: Balancing short-term pressures with a focus on long-term goals can lead to sustainable growth and success. Investing in future-oriented projects can pay off over time.
High Standards: Setting high standards and striving for excellence can drive performance and improvement. However, it is important to balance this with consideration for employee well-being.
Conclusion
Jeff Bezos’s leadership and Amazon’s corporate culture have been instrumental in shaping the company’s success and influence. Bezos’s focus on the customer, innovation, long-term thinking, and high standards has created a unique and powerful organizational environment. While there are challenges associated with this approach, the lessons from Amazon’s leadership can provide valuable insights for other organizations striving for excellence and growth.
