» Posted on November 10th, 2002
» Filed under Essentials
» 4 comments

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.

Use the feedback form to the right to send me your 5/5. I’ll add it to this page for our fellow messies to enjoy!

This is Kim W’s 5/5. She laminated hers:

Last 5

1. Load and start dishwasher

2. Wipe down kitchen counter and bar

3. Start load of laundry

4. Straighten up living room

5. Get backpacks ready - sign papers, pay lunch money, etc.

First 5

1. Put clothes in dryer

2. Unload dishwasher

3. Wipe down bathrooms

4. Take out trash

5. Put away clean clothes

This reader 5/5 comes from Amie in Poway, California:

Last Five:

-set the automatic coffee maker

-set the table for breakfast

-prepare refrigerated beverages in sippy cups for my kids (this trick prevents my hubby and I from “over-juicing” our 2 and 4 year old. I have a sippy cup for milk, one for juice, and one for water for each child.)

-coordinate outfits to wear the next day. (this helps Dad out a lot. He could care less about dropping H. off at nursery school in her tutu dress.)

-start a load of wash

First Five:

-shower and get made-up before my kids awaken

-load clothes dryer

-prep what today’s lunch and dinner will be

-wipe up sink and bathroom floor

-fold laundry fresh from the dryer and put away ASAP. (I really dislike folding laundry more than once even though my children thoroughly enjoy watching me do it over and over again.)

You’re welcome to add your own 5/5 to this page. Just use the comments entry below.