This is what works for me, when the whole house is a tip.
Pick a room you use often and want to be nice.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. In that time, whizz around and tody the biggest, messiest things: hang up coats, pair shoes, chuck toys in the toy basket, chuck newspapers, clear coffee cups, bottles, takeaway stuff etc (don't 'save' anything like newspaper or half a slice of pizza. Chuck the lot.) Do as much as you can in five minutes. Don;t stop and think.
After that five minutes is up, stand in the doorway of the room and see where your eye naturally falls as you walk in. Focus on turning this area into a 'shrine' - which is just shorthand for a clear and beautiful area that pleases you when you see it - so clear it, clean it, add a lamp, flowers, anything that looks photogenic.
Now set the timer for 15 minutes. Take a bin bag, a charity bag and a box. In the box put all the stuff that is in the wrong room and needs to be moved. In the bin bag - anything that needs chucking. Charity bag - anything that you don;t want anymore/don;t really like. Don;t feel guilty. Hideous ornaments from Auntie Noreen go straight in there. Stop after 15 mins.If you haven;t finished, it doesn't matter.
Finally set the timer for 10 mins and so a lightning clean. Hoover the bits of carpet you can see. Dust corners, ceilings, surfaces. Wipe and polish. Plump up cushions, arrange throws.
Within under one hour, the entire room should be looking gorgeous. Tell family it stays that way. (I've been known to put police tape over the door as a joke.)
Have abreak for an hour or so and then do another main area.
If you don;t know where to start, I'd start in the living room, then do the hall/lobby, so that if visitors arrive, they walk into a tidy space and you have a tidy room to show them into, which drops your stress levels.
Then I'd tackle the kitchen. Then bathroom.Bedrooms, utility, study, stairs and landings last.