FlyLady.

This post might sound like a commercial.

Someone asked if I would explain FlyLady (thanks, Ashley!) So I will try, really hard, in as few words as possible. And without gushing too much. Because it really is fascinating to me how it really works; the more I've learned, the more I'm impressed.

So my own synopsis, just in case you haven't heard of this FlyLady thingy.
...I'll try not to sound like I'm selling something.

FlyLady: 
is an actual person. (Marla something-or-other?) A lady who has figured out ingenious ways to keep a house and life under control, and is determined to share that with the world. And determined to keep it free. I like free.
Philosophy: 
While you're learning how to get your life under control, or get rid of the CHAOS (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome), you are learning to FLY...which stands for Finally Loving Yourself (as opposed to living with feelings of being overwhelmed, of guilt, or of martyrdom for a life and home out of control. By-the-way...the whole program is FULL of cutesy little acronyms like that. I roll my eyes at them sometimes because they can be pretty cheesy. And then...I find myself using them. Go figure.)
Her belief is that tendencies toward perfectionism and procrastination are what keep us from getting started (won't-do-it-unless-I-can-do-it-right, right now...so I'll do it later). The program is ALL about baby steps, starting small, and never taking on more than you can handle...otherwise, you'll just end up feeling overwhelmed and quit. The idea is that you're working with yourself to get to a point where your home is maintained which means you never again have to dedicate days to spring cleaning, or a whole Saturday to just getting your house in order. There's more time for your family, you, and other people you love to actually enjoy each other. And you'll never hear her refer to it as cleaning your home: it's all called blessing your home and family. I know, cheesy, right? But true. An easier mindset to work in.
Where it Starts and How it Works:
Her program starts with creating small habits. The first one you start with is shining your sink every night, regardless of what you do with the dishes in the sink. From there, you get dressed to "shoes" every morning...and shine your sink every night. Etcetera. Until you've built yourself a small little morning and evening routine every day that includes small cleaning tasks; it means your bathroom sink and toilet get a 'swish and swipe' every day on your way outta the bathroom from getting ready (which consequently means they always smell good and never get gross from that point on) and so on...makes maintaining a home just a series of great little habits.
From those small routines, you start de-cluttering with a timer....never more than 15 min at a time (the philosophy: you can do anything for 15 min.) and once you've decluttered your house (a feat not expected to take less than weeks, if not months, just a little at a time. For real, she means babysteps), you're also establishing little habits that keep it uncluttered...things like regularly just taking 2 min to clear off 'Hot Spots', or places that just seem to attract stuff....and other such activities with cute names.
Why it Works:
The whole idea is to develop self-respect and love for yourself.
How could that not feel grrreat?
You're supposed to sign up for daily emails... which are reinforcing...because they're encouraging, give you a fuzzy I'm-part-of-a-group feeling, and give you new tips and insights all the time.
And the whole thing is about small pieces and developing good habits just a little at a time. Which also means that you take it at your own pace. Which means that it's easily adaptable for unique and individual needs and situations. Which is really smart, and the only way something can actually work for a wide range of people.

So there ya go. Commercial break over.
Oh wait, the link again: FlyLady.net. And if you do want to try it out, go to the getting started section.