Being organized is a valuable life skill that can make work and home life more efficient. Getting organized takes time and dedication, but the payoff is worth it.
Being well-organized can reduce stress and allow room for creativity. It also reduces the chance of being overwhelmed. To be more productive, set a daily routine that includes organizing tasks.
Purge
If you’re struggling to get organized, it’s likely because you have too much stuff. Clutter weighs us down and causes distraction, preventing you from focusing on the tasks at hand. Getting rid of excess possessions helps free up space and makes it easier to find the things you do need. Decluttering can be time-consuming and overwhelming, but it’s essential to a successful organizing system. To make the process less stressful, you can break it down into manageable steps.
Purging can be an emotional process, especially if you have sentimental items that hold a special place in your heart. It’s important to be able to separate your emotions from the objects you own so you can determine if they serve a purpose in your life. If you’re struggling to let go of an item, consider donating it or asking a friend for help deciding what stays and what goes.
Start your purging by tackling the most accessible areas of your home. Begin by emptying the trash can, then move on to drawers and cupboards. As you move through the room, ask yourself if each item brings you joy or serves a purpose in your life. If the answer is no, it’s time to put it in the “go” pile.
Once you’ve cleared out the most obvious clutter, it’s time to take a harder look at the possessions that remain. Try to ask yourself the question, “When was the last time I used/thought about/needed this?” This can help you identify items that aren’t serving a purpose in your life and may be ready to be put away forever.
It’s a good idea to have an ongoing donation box, so as you find items you’re ready to get rid of, they can go straight in the bin. This will prevent you from having to go through the whole purging process over again in a few months.
The key to organizing is to do it on a regular basis, so make a commitment to tidy and declutter your home at least once every month or two. With a little time and effort, you’ll soon have a clean and clutter-free house that will keep you organized for years to come.
Organize
Getting organized might seem like a natural skill that some people have and others don’t, but the truth is it is something that can be learned and mastered. If you struggle with organization, there are many tips and tricks that can help you get better at it. The most important thing is to find a system that works for you and stick to it. Having a system in place will help you stay on track and keep your work life in check.
Start by organizing one space at a time. This will make the process less overwhelming and prevent you from procrastinating. If you have a lot to organize, divide it into several smaller projects. For example, you could decide to organize your bedroom in one day, or maybe spend a morning sorting through everything that can be donated and another one packing up items for storage. This will help you feel accomplished and reduce your stress levels.
Create a to-do list for your organizational project and mark off each item as you complete it. This will give you a sense of accomplishment as well as serve as a reminder to continue your progress. Continually monitoring your progress will also allow you to adjust your goals. For example, if you’re finding that you’re most productive in the morning, you might decide to change your schedule accordingly.
A good tip for organizing your home is to keep things where you use them. If you frequently use a specific item, such as your ink pen stash or pet toys, store them near those areas so you won’t forget to put them away. This can also help reduce clutter and make your home easier to clean.
Context switching is a big productivity killer, so try to limit the amount of times you switch between tasks or apps throughout the day. This will allow you to focus on your work and increase the chances that you’ll be able to meet deadlines. To further minimize distractions, you can silence your phone or put it on “Do not disturb” mode during working hours.
Create To-Do Lists
One of the most important ways to get organized is through a good task list. Whether you use pen and paper, a to-do app or a sleek document on your smartphone, a to-do list is the best way to plan out your day. Having a clear idea of what needs to be done by when gives you a clear picture of your time, and can help ensure that you meet deadlines.
It can be tempting to fill out a mile-long to-do list, but the longer it is, the less likely you will complete all of the tasks on it. Instead, try to keep the number of items on your list to around five or fewer tasks. This can help you focus on your top priorities for the day and avoid wasting time on things that don’t matter as much to you.
In addition, be sure to include your biggest priority tasks at the beginning of your list. This will help you feel more motivated to work on them and will also encourage you to tackle them first so that you can complete your day’s work more quickly.
A great way to prioritize your tasks is by using a technique called the Eisenhower Decision Matrix, which can help you determine what should be done immediately and what can wait for another time. By putting each task in one of four quadrants, you can see where your focus should be for the day and which tasks may not even need to be done at all.
Finally, be sure to give each task a title that inspires you to complete it. Tasks like ‘clean out closet’ or ‘call Mom’ do not incite motivation, and you might find yourself not working on the list at all. Try titles like’make bed to improve discipline’ or ‘try sleeping an hour early tonight’ to generate some enthusiasm for the list and for the tasks on it.
Don’t forget to consider any other factors that might influence your ability to perform the tasks on your list, such as if you need any supplies or if the task requires collaboration with others. By incorporating these factors, you can better plan out your workflow and be more effective in meeting your goals.
Keep Records
Getting organized at work takes time and practice, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Using methods that adapt to your working style, such as creating a to-do list or using a daily planner, can help you get organized and experience the freeing feeling of tidiness.
Keeping records is another key aspect of organization. Depending on the type of files and records you keep, some may need to be kept in an easily accessible location, such as in your desk drawer, while others require more secure storage. NDSU Extension publication FE446, “Inventory of Important Family Records,” is a great tool for helping you determine which types of records to keep and where they should be stored.
Once you’ve finished a major decluttering and organizing project, make sure to stick with the new routine. This can be as simple as having a house rule that requires everyone to put things away when they use them or adding hooks to your entryway for keys, bags and other items you carry in and out of the house. To celebrate your success, take a picture of your newly organized space. Then, whenever you’re feeling discouraged about your progress, look at the picture and remember the positive feelings you gained by completing your goal.