Rock your weeknights with ‘Rock, Paper, Scissors’

Get those fists pumping! I am back with a weeknight productivity game. It's pretty low pressure, I promise. You and the couch will be reunited shortly.

Before the framework of “Just F-it” inspired me to fight my chronic evening inertia, I played something I dubbed, “Rock, Paper, Scissors.”

Since I get bored easily, I still mix it up with these two weekday games. They’re similar, yet different too. A girl needs variety. Well, not in mates and other things that matter most, but you get my meaning.
 
How it works
With this game, you need to complete a challenge in each of the three categories. You know I am an advocate for tiny habits and small wins, so I don’t get overly ambitious. Think practical and doable. 
 
1. Rock
Move a small rock, people. Do a chore that’s a little heavy lifting—something that’s foundational to your household running smoothly. I like to think of this as something I’d have to do on the weekend otherwise. 
 

• Do a load of laundry or put folded items away.
• Wipe down the bathroom sink and scrub the toilet.
• Prep a meal for later in the week.
• Change the sheets on your bed.
• Dust the living room.
• Sweep the kitchen floor.

 
2. Paper
Put on your personal assistant cap. Take care of an item you would classify as paperwork. I run loose with the rules around here, so digital tasks qualify too, as long as they don’t involve scrolling and surfing. (That rule is for me, “Mindless, party of one.”) 
 

• Sort your daily mail.
• Return an email.
• Pay a bill.
• Write a thank you note.
• ​File some paperwork.

 
3. Scissors
Just cut it out, folks. This one’s about taking on cluttered spaces—chop, chop.
 

• Clear off your kitchen or dining room table.
• Tidy up a cluttered shelf, counter or corner.
• Sweep your space quickly for out-of-place items like glasses, jewelry, coats and sweaters.
• Put items in your car that you’ve been meaning to donate.
• Clean out your purse or wallet.

 
“Actually spending ten minutes clearing off one shelf is better than fantasizing about spending a weekend cleaning out the basement.” ―Gretchen Rubin, "Outer Order, Inner Calm"

What I like about this game:

• It makes chores more fun. I am playing a game and I am winning!
• It provides an easy-to-remember structure to follow.
• It helps me transition from work to home.
• It gets my productive juices flowing and makes me feel more in control of my life.
• It gives me a head start on weekend chores, so I have more free time later.
• It moves me forward in small ways.

Photo by Park Troopers on Unsplash

Do you think I am weirdo? Don’t answer that.

​Maybe you don’t need a barrel full of silly tricks and mind games to be more productive. I get that.
 
But if you’re like me at all, I hope this is even a little helpful. I am always excited when someone tells me they tried one of the Rock Your Chores games.
 
That’s why I am here, to hack my own habits and hang-ups, and hopefully help others along the way. I am using these games and tips on a daily basis and they’re making my life better and me happier.
 
Yep, weird, but happy. 

P.S. Who else loved Barrel of Monkeys?! Give me a bucket of those bad boys now.