5 Ways to Creatively Transform Tedious Tasks into Win-Win Solutions

By Jamie Durner

If you are a typical person in today’s complex world, you are likely juggling work, family, and home life…some of which is filled with tedious tasks you’d rather not be doing.  Don’t despair!  There are ways to manage these less than desirable activities in ways that offering everyone involved a win.  All that’s needed is an open mind and some creative thinking.

First, identify which tasks are draining your time without positive payoffs?  Make a list of what you’d like to pass on to someone else and how you would rather use that time.  I am passing on healthy but time consuming cooking in exchange for more time with my kids via a friend who wants to receive massage from me.  Success all around!

Here’s how you get started in finding your own creation solutions:

1. Make a list of your resources. Explore if you are willing to pay for services and, if so, what amount fits comfortably in your budget.  If you don’t want to pay with cash, ponder the barter option.  What resources or skills do you have, that are time effective, that you would like to offer in exchange for another service?  Each of us has skills and they don’t all have to be in a professional realm.  Just make sure that the time you will give in barter is doing something more enjoyable than the service you’re trading for.
2. Explore your network. Do you have friends or acquaintances who like to do what you want to unload?    Somewhere out there is a person who wants what you have in terms of a job.  The key is to find that person.  Simply by putting the idea out there, word will spread.  Tell everyone you know from your hair stylist to your neighbor what you’re looking for and the link will be found somewhere.
3. Use the power of technology. You can deepen your reach and use the high tech power of social network tools like Facebook, Linked-In, or Yahoo groups.  Throw out the idea to the group and see what shows up through friends of your friends and so on and so on.  Some of the jobs, especially business related, may be able to be done virtually
4. Consider teen labor if the job is appropriate. Depending on what you are looking for, a motivated and conscientious younger person might be a good fit.  Be clear on your expectations but also keep them realistic.  Even better, hire your own teen and give them not only some well earned money but a job skill.  I’ve been teaching my daughter to cook for several years.  She really enjoys it and is willing to make a family meal for $5.  Works for me.
5. Look within and shift your structure. Sometimes overload comes because one person is doing all the work.  Spread the work around so that each person has smaller pieces that are more manageable.  Instead of hiring a housecleaner when I increased my work hours, we spread the work by increasing the chores for the kids.  These increases worked because my kids had gotten older and were able to contribute more.  Since I find chores valuable for their development, I got a bonus – less work for me and good lessons for them.

©Jamie Durner, 2009

Jamie Durner, BodyMind Coach™ and workshop facilitator, holds multiple certifications across the health and wellness disciplines including Nationally Certified Massage Therapist, Registered Kundalini Yoga Teacher, and Associate Credentialed Coach. She is the creator of the Healing and Harmony from the Inside Out program and publishes “Healing and Harmony” monthly Ezine with easy-to-use, FREE tips to move beyond the pain and discomfort in your body and your life…sign up now at www.jamiedurner.com.  And she is one of the Expert Authors for HealthyWomanGuide.com.