By Shelly Smelser | Founder of Clutterfly Oregon | Professional Organizer
Why are so many of us more organized and productive at work than at home? I've spent the last several years trying to find the answer to that for my clients and myself. After a lot of research and trial and error, I landed on a simple shift in thinking that can make any home function more smoothly.
Throughout my kids' early childhood, I was stuck in the minutia of putting out fires, like someone getting lost or wearing underwear over their pants. My husband and I were stretched so thin that we only had the capacity to be reactive. Neither of us had the energy to get organized or make things in our family function better. And I didn’t know why we could be so productive at work and so…not…at home. We needed a plan!
One day my neighbor described me as the “CEO” of my house, and it clicked. I LOVED the way that sounded. I decided then and there to promote myself to CEO of the Smelser Household and I started running our home like I would run a business.
This elevated perception of my role in our house has been so liberating. The realization that my nurturing self and my logical, analytical self can peacefully coexist at home was a game changer! Becoming CEO of my house means I no longer get stuck in the weeds. Instead, I focus on the big picture - our goals, our mission, and our values. Our house is so much more orderly, and we have systems in place to keep it tidy in less time. My family members have flourished because they now have more freedom, growth opportunities, and time to enjoy being together.
Below are some of the things I implemented for our family after promoting myself to CEO. I encourage you to try any of these ideas in your own home. If you want ideas more suited to your particular situation, please reach out! As a Portland, Oregon-based Professional Organizer (who also does video consultations), I love helping my clients get unstuck.
How to Run Your House More Like Your Business and Become the CEO of Your Life
1. Hold Family Meetings - My family has a family meeting every Sunday night and like all great business meetings there is an agenda. Scheduled family meetings provide space to talk freely about what is working and what needs to change. A Professional Organizer, who specializes in Household Management, can help structure these meetings for more effectiveness.
2. Create a Mission Statement - It is such a valuable exercise to give all family members the opportunity to express what really matters when it comes to family. I love those wall signs that say, “in this family, we…” They are basic, good human things, but making them clear allows for easy correction when needed.
3. Have an Open Door Policy – Encourage openness and transparency by letting your family members know you are available and open to discuss questions, receive feedback, and address problems or concerns as they arise.
4. Celebrate Achievements – Hang a brag board or add “brag time” to the family meeting agenda. This creates a safe space to share unique accomplishments and builds confidence. Don’t forget to add your own brags! CEOs aren’t shy about patting their own backs.
5. Build an Operations Manual and/or a Family Command Center – Create a designated place for family policies, procedures, schedules, chores, and more. This improves family communication and minimizes conflict. Hiring a Professional Organizer, who specializes in Household Management, could help with this.
6. Be a Good Mentor and Lead by Example – Be patient when family members are learning a new task or chore and provide them with the proper tools and instruction needed. This also means you know when it is time for someone to step up and take the lead. Leading by example means you lead the way you would want someone to lead you - for me that means being respectful, collaborative, fun, and compassionate.
7. Foster Teamwork and Ask for Help – A family functions better when they work as a team. We all have our strengths and weaknesses; therefore, we shouldn't be afraid to ask for help. It's not a sign of weakness and it teaches others that you trust them. Asking for help may also mean hiring someone if finances allow. Time is money, and your time is valuable. Maybe what your family needs most is your time. A Professional Organizer should be on the top of your list, of course.
8. Maintain a Shared Calendar – Stop being your family’s alarm clock! Having a digital or posted calendar that holds everyone's schedules in one location with a clock close by makes it easy for all household members to know where they need to be and when without you telling them.
9. Discover What Motivates your Family to Take Action - It is your job as CEO to figure out what motivates each of your family members and use it at the opportune time. All people are motivated differently. In my household, everyone knows the way to my heart is a specialty espresso drink from the local coffee shop.
10. Be Kind to Yourself. Don’t place yourself last in line for grace. Household CEOs will surely have moments where their logical and nurturing selves disagree. We might feel guilty for being less flexible about chore expectations, or we feel selfish for putting ourselves first. Go back to your mission statement. Celebrate your successes and use your stumbles as a way to refine your plan.
If you live in the Portland, Oregon area or if you are interested in a virtual visit from a Professional Organizer to help you get more organized, please reach out to me using the button below.