How to keep your home tidy in just 15 minutes a day

One habit that will serve you well is to spend 15 minutes every day tackling the areas of your home where clutter accumulates. A quarter of an hour may not seem long, but by making it a deadline, you can achieve an amazing amount.

1. Choose one area that needs your attention: for example, the pile of unsorted mail, the kitchen drawer, or the dusty knick-knack shelf.

2. Set a timer for 15 minutes and begin tidying up. Don’t stop until the 15 minutes have elapsed.

3. Sort items into separate piles according to where they should end up: for example, “storage”, “donation”, “trash”, “proper location for use”, or “rearranged in current location”. Just throwing things in a drawer to hide them only transfers the problem. Take the opportunity to dust or clean any surfaces you have cleared.

4. When your timer rings, assess your progress. Congratulate yourself on what you’ve achieved. If you think you need to spend another 15 minutes, go ahead, but don’t overwhelm yourself.

5. Repeat this every day for at least a week to begin to establish the habit. The longer you keep it up, the easier and more effective it will become over time. You’ll be surprised at what you can accomplish in sessions of just 15 minutes.

Find lots more valuable advice and tips in Learn to Balance Your Life by Michael and Jessica Hinz. It will equip you with everything you need to: identify your priorities and allow enough time for them; maximise your finances; use your work and leisure time enjoyably and profitably; and make your home a calming yet energising place to live.