There's a reason the Marines start the day with this simple task, also known as "wake and make." According to retired Admiral William H. McRaven, author of Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life — and Maybe the World, "It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed."
Vacuum the Bathroom First, Plus a Bed-Making Habit
Do you ever find yourself chasing strands of wet hair or running into dust balls in the corners with your sponge or cleaning rag? You can eliminate this nuisance by vacuuming the bathroom before you get out your cleaning solutions. For a really thorough cleaning, start at the top, vacuuming the dust from light fixtures and the top of window casings, then work your way down, and finally vacuum the floor methodically so you cover every inch. A soft-bristle upholstery brush works best for this type of vacuuming.
Make Your Bed Every Morning
Ask for Plant Trimmings Instead of Buying New
To freshen up the exterior of your home, don't spend a fortune at the local nursery. Instead, ask family and friends for trimmings of their plants. Many perennial plants and bulbs can easily be divided and shared — transplant the ones you like best into your own yard.
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