Listen, I know a lot of us overthinkers and overdoers probably know where all of our physical and mental clutter is hanging out. From doom piles to that book you want to write…many molehills have actually become mountains and we don’t know where to start.

Taking a nod from the restaurant world using the concepts of daily and running sidework are what can make a significant impact on your clutter. We will dive into the framework that will help you develop a natural pace for tackling the backlog along with creating systems for the future.

Definitions of Sidework

For this framework, here are the categories of sidework we are discussing:

• Running Sidework: Smaller more ongoing tasks that happen as you are active throughout the day.
• Daily Sidework: Larger tasks that need dedicated time at least once a day.
• Weekly Sidework: Larger tasks that need extended dedicated time but only need to be done once a week.

While we are discussing framework, seeing the different parts of your day as “shifts” can also help with choosing what tasks are done when.

Here is an example of how someone would divide their day into 5 shifts:

• Opening (Wake until Start of work)
• Morning (Start of work until lunch/mid shift break)*
• Afternoon (Mid-Day until End of Workday)*
• Evening (Post work/school until bedtime)*
• Closing (End of the day)

Note: For morning through mid-day, some people depending on their daily obligations (kids, no kids, job shift, etc) may combine the time between leaving for work/first task until post work (post dinner and tasks) into one extended shift. The setup would be Opening, Mid Day, Closing.

Each shift will have running and daily sidework included, and daily sidework can be combined into any shift.

Running Sidework Ideas

In the restaurant world, tasks like bussing tables or filling ice chests are the most common running sidework. The goal of running sidework is to be preventative and to reduce chaos.

For the day to day lives of overthinkers and overdoers, running sidework can look like:

• Picking up scraps of trash
• Moving items into piles (books, mail, hair ties, etc)
• Putting clothes into laundry baskets
• Refilling paper goods (toilet paper, napkins, paper towels)
• Getting dishes into one area
• Restocking printer paper after printing
• Moving unnecessary emails into the trash
• Refilling fridge and snack areas

Daily Sidework Ideas

Daily sidework are the types of tasks that help the day run easier, but don’t require the ongoing attention like running side work. Think refilling sugar caddies.

Daily sidework for us perfectionists might look like:

• Meal prep for the next day
• Make coffee for the next morning
• Wipe down surfaces
• Reset couch (fold blankets and place pillows)
• Put folded clothes away
• Make bed
• Remove items from car
• Hang jackets, hats, bags
• Put shoes away
• Organize desk

Weekly Sidework Ideas

Weekly sidework is more extensive and is foundational to day to day life. Sort of like deep cleaning a specific area or tasks that pop up last minute (oh no the plants are dry again!).

• Empty small trash into big trash bag
• Vacuum a room
• Specific laundry beginning to end
• Clean sheets
• Getting gas
• Update/Restart work computer
• Water plants
• Remove trash from car
• Dust
• Documentation
• Review schedule for upcoming meetings/events

These concepts can also be used for other ongoing tasks like admin work, school assignments, DIY projects and more.

Example: Writing a book

• Running Sidework: Writing down ideas when they come (Morning, Mid-Day, Evening Shifts)
• Daily Sidework: Brain dump ideas, spend 10-30 minutes writing or editing (Opening or Closing Shift)
• Weekly Sidework: Extended time writing or editing with a specific goal in mind (Whenever)

What about decluttering the mind?

Here are some ideas for mental sidework!

Running Sidework for Mental Clutter

• Refocusing to your breath
• Making notes for thoughts (notes app on phone, scrap paper, etc)
• Using non-judgmental stance to tag thoughts (“I’m having the thought that)

Daily Sidework for Mental Clutter

• Brain Dump
• Reviewing lists
• Reviewing priorities
• Making notes of wins for the day
• Scheduled mindfulness
• Spend time with ongoing projects

Weekly Sidework for Mental Clutter

• Journaling reflections
• Identifying areas to challenge
• Put efforts towards long term projects
• Spend time doing nothing

The keys for running sidework to be effective is planning ahead, having reminders, and protecting time for the tasks. There will be moments where you will need to put the sidework on the back burner, but with consistency you will be able to return with minimal backlog.

We could all use a bit less clutter in our lives, hopefully this tactic will get you ahead!

The Nine to Kind Possibility Planner supports all the types of sidework with space for reminders, boring self care index, note taking pages and more. Want to take a peek? You can HERE!