The New Newtown Public Library, Wellington South.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXVIII, Issue XXI, 24 May 1902, Page 1030

The New Newtown Public Library, Wellington South.

On Thinking Ahead. I have chosen this to write about, as it has often struck me that a very great deal of time and fatigue might he saved if only this habit of “thinking ahead" were a little more general than it is. There are some methodical minds, to whom this comes more or less natural, but it does not to all, and these last should do all they can to cultivate the habit of doing so. How many unnecessary journeys upstairs and downstairs, backwards and forwards, could be saved in many households, if this habit of thinking forward were a little more in evidence? It is the casual way of going for one thing at a time that means so much confusion and hindrance. In housework, cooking, shopping, 'and needlework. try always to think ahead, and you wili get througli more work with less fatigue. For instance, before starting on any housework, think what you will want to do it with, and take it with you, or see that it is ready, ir you have someone to do it ror you. Do not run upstairs with the broom and forget the dustpan, or the pail, and leave the cloth behind, and so on for all the work. When cooking, think ahead, and see that you have everything you want for the purpose; also the various pots and pans and dishes the oven ready, and the tire made up If you go to the cellar, think what there is you can take with you. and what you will want from it. and try to save yourself as many unnecessary steps as you can. In needlework, think what you will require before starting cuttingout. or sewing, and when shopping you should strenuously endeavour to think ahead, and make your list so that you do not have to semi for things that have been forgotten. I er .not. of course, enter fully into the subject, but I can only repeat that tin* habit of thinking ahead is the most precious thing a housewife can possess; if not, or she is perhaps a prospective one, she should do all she ran to cultivate it; the household machinery will run much smoother if she does.