Since starting FlyLady, I have continually harped on putting your shoes on your feet each morning. I want you to do this, and you are not the exception to the rule.

Several years ago I sold skin-care products for Mary Kay. One main rule for that company was that you could not make a single phone call in the morning unless you were totally dressed, and I mean really dressed, all the way to dress shoes. The reason behind this was that you act differently when you have clothes and shoes on. You are more professional. The customer can tell when you don't feel good about the way you look, even when you think you do. So if getting dressed makes that big of an impression on someone who can't even see you, then what is going to happen to those who can see you — mainly yourself?

Putting shoes on your feet that lace up are better than slip-ons or sandals, because they are harder to take off. Instead of kicking your shoes off for a quick snooze on the couch, you actually have to go to a bit more trouble. Maybe in that short instant you will realize that there is something more that you can do. With shoes on those feet of yours, your mind says it's time to go to work. You have no excuse for not taking the trash out or putting that box of give-away stuff into the car. You are literally ready for anything. Believe me, when you get that call from school that your child needs you, or that dear friend calls up and says that she needs to talk, you are ready!

I see this problem more in the stay-at-home moms because they don't leave home for their job, and it is not necessary to get dressed every morning, only their children are going to see them. I want you to listen very closely. You have the most important job of all, raising productive adults. Now, do you want your children to remember that Mom didn't get dressed until it was time for Dad to get home or do you want them to have to answer the door because you are still in your bathrobe? If you would look at your day just like other people who leave the house — get up and get dressed all the way to shoes because it is time to go to work — your day will be more productive.

I don't want to hear that you don't wear shoes in your house. Buy or clean up a pair just for that reason. It's not going to be you who tracks in the dirt anyway. You are still the boss and you can require your children to remove their shoes. What is the problem here? In most homes you have had trouble even finding the floor, much less keeping the carpet clean. Do you even know what color it is supposed to be? And when you vacuum once or twice a week, the dirt goes away. Teach your children to not track in stuff. Have a mat outside the door for them to remove unwanted dirt and mud. I bet you have 10 pair of shoes at the door right now. What does that do to your vacuuming schedule? Make the kids take their shoes outside and clean them up, then take them to their rooms. If they had to pay for those expensive tennis shoes, they would take better care of them.

That is enough of my rant today. Now get dressed and put those shoes on your lovely feet. No excuses! Lace up your shoes and start to FLY!

---

For more help getting rid of your CHAOS; check out www.flylady.net. Also see Cilley's book, "Sink Reflections" and her new book, "Body Clutter." Copyright 2006 Marla Cilley Used by permission in this publication.