How to manage the homework of adulthood, from paperwork to repairs

Life seems full of ever-increasing invisible work and unpaid labour, for instance, paying bills, making appointments, signing forms, or organising carpools. Columbia Law School professor Elizabeth Emens calls this work "life admin."

It's the kind of work that managers and secretaries get paid to do in an office, but we all do invisibly and for free. However, we can take control of these tasks.

Recognise that these are important tasks and deserve your attention.

Find your own administrative personality to find a strategy that will work for you.

Admin temperaments consist of four groups:

1. The super-doer: You prioritise getting things done.
2. The reluctant-doer: You finally get things done but do so with a sigh.
3. The admin-avoider: You know you have to do stuff, but don't do it.
4. The admin-denier: You don't care if you don't do things because someone else will possibly do it for you.