Staying Organized In Your Daily Life
Being organized can be a way of life and second nature to you. That way it becomes a habit rather than a chore. Of course, it takes time and effort to create the habit in the first place, but once you’ve achieved it, you want to stay that way.
These nine tips will help you to stay organized every day with very little effort or fuss.
Check-In
Start your day by checking your schedule and your to-do list. It may be that you’ve thought of something you need to add. Prioritize your to-do list so that you tackle the essential items first.
Plan
Just like you planned your to-do list you should plan your day. I like to organize time around blocks, batching activities. You can include calls, meetings, chores, and projects in your planning.
You can use pen and paper, a planner, a bullet journal, or a planning app. What matters here is that you choose one and stick to it.
Don’t forget to include scheduled breaks. Make sure to include time for friends and family.
The F.A.R. Rules
The F.A.R. Rules will help you to stay organized. They apply equally to your personal life as your business.
File it – if it’s important and needs to be kept (either in paper or electronic form) then file it immediately.
Act on it – if something needs to have action taken, for example, paying a bill or making a call, then do it immediately. Then either file or recycle it.
Recycle it – whether it’s junk mail or papers and items you’ve finished with, recycle it immediately once it’s no longer needed.
These rules apply to emails as well as paperwork. By following them, you can keep your inbox under control.
Digital Aids
At times technology can be a distraction, but there are some items that can help you become and stay productive. However, choose your devices and solutions with care so that you don’t create more of a problem for yourself.
You may decide that an app to monitor your health and fitness would be a good idea to keep you on track with your goals. There are also menu planning apps, scheduling, time and project management, as well as household organization apps.
Track
To be successful with your organization you need to track and monitor your progress. What’s working and what’s not?
Be prepared to make changes and adjustments to how you do things. Just because one method of organizing your closet doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean that another won’t.
Trash It
Don’t keep things for the sake of it. If it’s not useful or necessary then throw it out. If you are keeping it, then remember to put it away. That way you keep your surroundings free from clutter and distractions.
Identify
Observe and make a note of what works for you and keep on doing it. If something hasn’t worked for you before, then identify what needs to be changed and do it that way the following day.
5 Minute Review
Just like you started your day, end your day with a five-minute review. Celebrate your accomplishments and cross off everything you’ve achieved from your to-do list.
Make a review of your list with new eyes and remove any unimportant tasks that are remaining. Whatever is left should be added to the next day’s list.
To Do List
Create your to-do list for the following day. Include any relevant tasks that you didn’t complete that day and only essential items that need to be done. Try and limit your list to no more than 6-10 tasks so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or end the day with a long and frustrating list of unaccomplished items. I like to set my “Big-3” which are the tasks that are most important and that will make a difference if they get done right away.
Becoming and staying organized doesn’t happen overnight and it does require regular effort. However, you can stay on track by following these nine tips. You can be organized every day with a little planning, time, and effort.
