Tricks to Keep Organized

The organization is one of those things that we all aspire to but never quite get to. That’s not because we’re lazy or disorganized—it’s because it’s a lot harder than it sounds. Putting everything in its place requires more than just a few easy tricks; it takes commitment and a change in mindset. But, with practice, you can learn to keep your environment clutter-free and even enjoy the process.

You can never be too organized! But it can be difficult to stay organized when you have a busy life and little time to spare. Here are a few tricks to help you stay on top of your tasks:

  • Get a planner. There are so many different types of planners out there, but you need to get one that’s right for you. Some have plenty of room for both appointments and tasks, while others focus just on what needs to get done. Most planners call for you to enter your tasks at the end of every day, but you might want to use a two-column planner if you need more time.
  • Plan your day the night before. This is a great way to start your day in the right frame of mind and get out of the house on time. If you plan your day the night before, you’ll wake up knowing what needs to get done, and you won’t waste valuable time.
  • Try the color-coded systems. You don’t have to keep all your work in one giant stack on your desk or just in your head. The key to staying on top of all your tasks is to isolate them (this is all assuming that you are in a position to work on multiple projects, of course.) The color coding will help you tell what type of work is in each notebook and folder no matter where you are, which will make it easier to find the information you need.
  • Make a to-do list. You can create a to-do list for almost anything, from your work tasks to your personal chores and activities. It can help you prioritize your tasks, and it can remind you to complete tasks that you may otherwise overlook. You might find that you get tasks done faster when you break them into smaller, more manageable steps.
  • Come up with a daily routine. A successful workday doesn’t come from hitting the ground running in the morning. Having a planned, organized morning routine is the key to getting things done (it’s also a secret to keeping organized!). A good morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day because it puts you in the right mindset and gets you moving.
  • Break the task down into smaller, manageable tasks. When you are stuck with a large intimidating task, such as cleaning out your closet, the best thing you can do is break the task down into smaller, manageable tasks. For example, when cleaning out your closet, start with an item on your floor and sort through it.  If you can’t decide if you should keep it or not, put it to the side. Then take the next item off the floor and sort through it.  Once you have sorted through one item, you will see how easy the job really is. If you do this for several minutes, it will not seem like such a big task to complete.
  • Go to sleep early. A good night’s sleep may seem like a luxury for some who are trying to organize their lives, but for the people who do, sleep is actually a requirement for creating an organized life. Most people feel really refreshed when they wake up from a good night of sleep. Research shows that a good night of sleep is your body’s way of telling you that it’s time to start the day.

It’s hard to believe that a third of your life could be spent just trying to organize your life and keep it that way, but it’s true. If you’re a disorganized person, you probably have forgotten more appointments and lost more things than the average person. The good news is that it’s never too late to turn things around. Whether you’re just starting out with a new career or you’re looking to clean up an existing one, there are a few simple tricks you can use to keep everything in order.