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26 Adar 5761 - March 21, 2001 | Mordecai Plaut, director Published Weekly
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Home and Family
The Three Lists

by Nechama Farkash

Many years ago, as a young newlywed and a most inexperienced baalebusta, I met a woman who, I think, was the most influential person in my marriage. She edited a newsletter which circulated among the English speaking women of our community. In one issue she discussed organization of the home. This is no minor issue and sometimes can even lead to divorce.

The story is told of a young man who came to the Ponevizher Rosh Yeshiva and founder, R' Kahaneman zt'l, to arrange a get from his wife. He could not stand the disorder in his home. The Rosh Yeshiva told him to come back the following day. Beforehand, he instructed his rebbetzin to creat total chaos in their home, to empty out closets and strew their contents everywhere.

When the young man appeared on the following day, the Rosh Yeshiva seemed very engrossed in study and would not even look up. Meanwhile, the young man looked around him, disbelieving that a person could live in such a mess. The Rosh Yeshiva stalled for more time and the young man began to have second thoughts about the divorce. Finally, he got up, thanked him and left.

Not all men have mentors like Hagaon R' Kahaneman and few are willing to put up with a mess for any length of time. The following is a basic, simple and efficient system of organizing your home all around the year. It is called the "Three List System." Here's how it works:

The first thing to do is to get a notebook. On the first page, write up three lists. The first is: "Must Do." On this list, jot down all the things that enter your mind that need doing but which have no specific deadline to meet.

The second list is entitled: "This Week." On this list you write all the things you know you must get done this week, and alongside each chore -- which day you assume would be best to get the job done.

The third list is called: "Today." The way you begin moving is when you are able to transfer things from the "Must Do" list to the "This Week" list and from the "This Week List" to the "Today" list.

A sample "Must Do" List:

1) Fix Rivky's lunch box

2) Mend Moishe's socks

3) Clean fridge

4) Organize bookcase

5) Write article for newspaper / letters / pay bills

Notice that none of the items on the list have a deadline to meet. Nevertheless, they must get done. Make a resolution that you will transfer at least one item on this list, each week, to the "This Week" list.

A Sample "This Week" List:

1) Clean fridge (Wednesday)

2) Take Mendy to dentist (Thursday)

3) Shop for Shabbos (Monday)

4) Go to Chana's PTA meeting (Sunday)

5) Visit Savta at old-age home (Tuesday)

Notice that I chose as item #1 on the list a job I had listed on the "Must Do" list. I then decide which day of the week would be most appropriate to take care of each matter of the "This Week" list, that is, items that had no pre-set date.

A sample "Today" List:

Monday:

1) Shop for Shabbos

2) Prepare lunch

3) Clean up house

4) Call Zelda and ask for cheese cake recipe

5) Go to park with children

6) Supper, baths, bedtime

Notice how I transferred the "Shop for Shabbos" from the "This Week" list to the "Today" list. As our "Must Do" list starts dwindling, we will always find more items to add on, in place of those that were `promoted' to the "This Week" list.

Sounds complicated? Not at all! Once you get the gist of it, you won't be able to function any other way, I promise. So get out there and buy that precious notebook and begin making your three lists.

Happy Housekeeping!

 

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