Setting Highest Priority for Family House Work Repair Time Activity

• Time proportioning

Time that comprises of free time, working time, planning time and waiting time is precious. Things we do in our routine time, such as washing, eating, exercising and commuting to and from work, take up a big chunk of our time. Most of us spend our time in this manner. Use time for priority work and house activity.

a) Sleeping 5 to 8 hours

b) Exercises and washing 2 to 3 hours

c) Travel and shopping 1 to 3 hours

This means that one has spent 8 to 14 hours of the 24 hours time one has in a day. This gives one 10 to 12 hours for working. When one wants to do something, he or she does not find enough time. Let us see what one can do about activity priority for a family member.

• Reordering priority for work and leisure

In order to use time effectively, we should always have a sense of perspective so that we can reorganize our work and routines to fit in any contingencies that may arise. This is known as list making in time management. We merely increase the chances we have by keeping a view of priorities.

We understand perfectly that one must not waste time doing repair activity in the time allotted for working. However, there are days when we have so much time after working that we do not know what to do. At this time, if we have a list of things we have prepared, that needs to be done like house repairs, shopping or attending to things, our activity becomes more organized.

• Importance of relaxation for efficient metabolic activity

Our metabolism can only function at specific rates of functioning. What does this mean? It means when we run, we expend energy at a faster rate. When we sleep we use less energy. Our body synthesizes energy from food and uses it for supplying our body with energy when it is required. When we sleep the metabolic activity is lowest. During this time, the body will digest food, repair torn tissues and build new cells and tissues. This is because there is excess energy and you are not running or doing work that requires more energy. This process will take 8 hours in all every day. When we take a short break during the day our metabolic rate drops down so much that it will enhance cell repair processes. So, you make sure you rest after eating or walking. Both these activities tire out the person.

Ordered activity like leisure time and working time, needs organization. One may ask, “Why do you need organized leisure?” The idea is this. If you spend $10 out of your $50 you have $40. Leisure is like that. Once you budget it out, you spend your leisure in a better manner. By keeping an eye out for the activity priority for a family member one knows exactly how much time is leisure time.

• Small things should be done quickly – repair work

Begin with the creaking door. It is one thing which everyone in the house will take care of 'sooner or later'. Though this house repair activity takes very little time to put in a screw, it hangs there forever. Gathering rubbish in the garden and disposing of old magazines are ever present chores in every house.

After the garden gate is done, this work should take preference over all other in the time schedule. List out things anyone (in the house) can do. This is the list of activity priority for a family member for various house repair tasks.

a) Mend creaking gate

b) Mend windows

c) Bury leaves and rubbish in compost pit

d) Get rid of old magazines and newspapers

Members of the house who have free time or want to add quality to their leisure time can discuss and agree to take up one chore after another. Better still, hang the list by the kitchen window where everyone can see. The person who does the particular house repair, signs his or her name, and crosses that item off the list. Give more priority for house work including repairs and use time accordingly.

• Different jobs occupy different time limits

Repairing a leaky faucet requires not only operation time but also procurement time. Fixing a chair which has a loose leg will only involve the operation time since the materials required (in this case, nails and hammer) can often be found in most houses. Certain jobs other than house repair (like replanting the rose bushes) would need operation time, and will also depend on the season. Sometimes one may have to procure new saplings also.

Keeping up with time

i) Procurement time

ii) Operations time

iii) In-season time

iv) Duration

When you make a list of house repairs, you should note the time that it will occupy, beside it on the list. This will give you a notion about the priority without having to make any real decision on the matter.

Over a period of time, you will notice that certain jobs overtake others in priority. For example when the seasons change, you may need to fix the broken window pane before you start on the paint job for the windows. So, be sure to make a note of the seasons and the jobs which are meant for the seasons.

1. Split chores
2. Manage time
3. Do work promptly
4. Keep everything tidy

The mind is a peculiar thing. The more active it is, the more relaxed it is. But over stressing oneself with work, would become intolerable too. So, include the option of:

a) Postponement

b) Cancelling the work

c) Re-allotting the priorities and

d) Asking the opinion of the other people around you.

Repair work is one of the house activities that will get more priority from family members who are concerned about it. You would see that the liveliest discussions are about activity priority for a family member when that work involves everybody in the house. There is an unspoken law that the smallest things take up the maximum time. Involving the younger members of the family is the ideal solution. They are full of vitality, have abundant ideas and their creativity knows no limits. Only make sure that they do the things when some adult is around the house.

Once you have the list of things made up, and you have fixed the time frame then it is time to share your thoughts with people close to you. In many cases, you will find willing hands ready to solve the problem. This does not mean that you should try to shelve all problems or off load them onto others. it only means that one would have a better perspective of the things. People begin to look at you with new eyes and you begin to change the way you want to look. It all begins at home.

House repair, family work or leisure activity, one must have a set priority. Cloudy skies may bring rain and only those who are set on making the trip will venture through the gloom. However, a smile is a DIY that can set the tone for your day. It will brighten your path and spread cheer amongst all you meet along the way. It is one of God's best creations. Use it.