You can master effective household management and become the CEO of your home – my 8 easy steps below will show you how!
“The most important work you will ever do is within the walls of your own home.”
Harold Lee
Have you forgotten what it feels like to be in control of your home?
Do you often feel behind before you’ve even got started in the morning?
Is it a while since you felt relaxed in your home?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t worry, you’re not alone. And if you’re wondering if it’s possible to turn things around and take back the reins, the answer is YES!
What your home needs is a CEO – and you’re just perfect for the job!
As a busy woman living in today’s fast-paced world, it can be very challenging trying to juggle multiple responsibilities AND keep your home running smoothly at the same time. For many, the one area that falls to the bottom of the to-do list and often gets neglected is the home.
However, it’s the thing that will make the biggest difference to your overall wellbeing.
A tidy, well-maintained home contributes to improved mental health by reducing stress, promoting relaxation, and creating a sense of order and control. Isn’t that what we all want?
According to recent research by The Good Housekeeping Institute (Good Housekeeping Magazine UK, Feb 2024), women are doing less housework than they used to, but midlife women continue to carry the domestic load.
88% of women under 45 felt there were not enough hours in the day. 65% of women did ALL or most of the chores, even if they lived with someone else.
Surprised? Yep, me too.
The gender gap when it comes to looking after a home is seemingly still strong and we need to do something about that. Why do women still bear the brunt of the responsibilities in the home? Do we take them on by default? Do we feel an expectation to do so? Does it come from our upbringing? Or is it because we are brilliant at multitasking and are a force to be reckoned with? I don’t know the answer, but I prefer to believe the latter.
REMINDER: You can be the CEO of your home but you don’t need to do it all yourself.
It can feel like an endless task trying to keep on top of everything, can’t it? Hamster wheel comes to mind!
Finding the time and energy to clean and organise, do laundry, manage household repairs and stay on top of it all along with your other commitments, can feel near to impossible.
However, prioritising your home is essential, for you, your sanity and the people you share your home with. It’s investing in your future. When your home is well-maintained, it contributes to your overall happiness, peace of mind, and provides a safe sanctuary from the outside world.
Enlist the help of family members, delegate tasks, get the kids involved and consider hiring help in the form of a cleaner, housekeeper or professional organiser to help you navigate the difficulties of maintaining a home while leading a busy life.
With all that in mind, my 8 easy steps to becoming the CEO of your home will have you managing your household like a boss and running it like a military operation in no time.
Master effective household management and become the CEO of your home in 8 easy steps
1. Take back control and prioritise what needs to be done
Get together with your family to make a list of all the household tasks that need to be done. Prioritise them based on urgency and importance. This will help you get organised and focus on completing the most necessary tasks first.
2. Delegate responsibilities
It’s okay to reach out and ask for help. It’s not a sign of weakness, it’s a symbol of strength. Assign specific tasks to other family members and as I mentioned above, consider hiring outside help for certain chores like cleaning, decluttering or gardening. Sharing the load will lift some of the pressure, get the job done quicker and free up your time.
Don’t let your family members get away with “not knowing how” when it comes to tasks. Take the time to demonstrate how to, for example, set the dishwasher or washing machine, even writing it down step-by-step if necessary, so that the person in charge of that task can reference it if you’re not there.
This may trigger your urge to gatekeep – as women, we have so much knowledge in our heads, especially when it comes to things that we’ve been doing for years without really thinking about them.
Yes, it may be hard work to explain the difference between white washing powder and colour washing liquid for different types of laundry loads to your uninterested teen, and you may find yourself thinking “Oh, nevermind, I’ll just do it myself”, but this time spent up front will free up much more of your time in the future!
But it’s also important to allow people to do things their own way – would you rather that the dishwasher was stacked “your” way, or that you don’t have to stack the dishwasher at all?
3. Set up systems and routines
Establish a routine for household chores and stick to it. Create a daily, weekly, monthly schedule that outlines what needs to be done and when. This will help you stay on track and ensure everything gets done on time.
In addition to daily and weekly routines, you might enjoy my seasonal Zone Cleaning programme, an organised plan for cleaning without overwhelm. You can join my free Zone Cleaning community HERE.
4. Streamline processes
Look for ways to simplify and streamline household tasks. For example, consider meal planning (download my free meal planner here), batch cooking and prepping in advance to save time during busy weekdays.
Save time and energy by ordering groceries and household products from the comfort of your own home and have them delivered. Less time running errands, less money spent on things you don’t need, less waste and less petrol.
Use technology like smart home devices or apps to automate certain tasks such as controlling lights and central heating or setting reminders. The Alexa app has become an essential part of fine-tuning our shopping list. When we run out of something or are planning our meals for the week, we simply ask her to add it to the list!
5. Implement clutter-free habits
Clutter can add unnecessary stress and make it difficult to clean and manage a household. Set aside time daily to tidy up after yourself, for example, dealing with mail straight away, clearing the table, washing dishes and wiping the hob after a meal or straightening up the living room before you go to bed. It will make you happy when you come down in the morning to a welcoming, clean and tidy space.
At a deeper level, take time regularly to declutter, edit and organise different areas of your home. Donate, recycle or sell items that are no longer needed to create space and make cleaning easier.
Read more about decluttering your home here.
6. Set up a family command centre
A family command centre is a great way to keep everyone in the home organised and on the same page. It can act as a central hub for important information such as calendars, appointments, routines, checklists, school correspondence and important documents. It can also be a drop zone for children’s bags, jackets and shoes.
Designating a specific area for this purpose, often in a hallway, kitchen or utility room, creates a sense of structure and efficiency for the entire family.
Additionally, including a pinboard or whiteboard can allow for easy communication and reminders, making it easier for everyone to stay informed and involved in family activities and responsibilities.
7. Get money savvy
To ensure financial stability, get organised with the family finances. Create a monthly budget. To do this, list all sources of income, including salaries, investments etc, then track your expenses, such as rent/mortgage, car, utility bills, insurance and variable expenses like groceries, entertainment, and transportation.
Decide in advance where your money is going instead of wondering where it went.
Create an emergency fund by setting aside a portion of your income for unexpected expenses. Aim to save at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an easy-access, high-interest savings account. Above all, for financial peace and to build wealth, live below your means and make sure your expenses do not exceed your income.
8. Make time for self-care
You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take time out regularly for relaxation, exercise and hobbies. Time just for you – to breathe, to find balance, to connect with your inner-self and to alleviate stress. Plan for it just as you would a date with a friend or an appointment you can’t miss.
Managing your household effectively is not just about appearances but also about creating a comfortable, nurturing environment that supports your physical and mental well-being and allows you and your family to relax.
Becoming the CEO of your home offers numerous benefits that can enhance your personal, professional and family life. As CEO, you have the power to create a harmonious, calm and organised living space for you and your family.
By setting boundaries, sharing responsibilities and prioritising self-care, you are taking back control of your life and your home and creating a nurturing environment for your family to flourish. Embrace your role as CEO and enjoy the rewards a well-managed home will bring!