Getting organized is a life skill that can help you work more efficiently, avoid stress and make it easier to achieve your goals. Whether at home or at the office, having good organizational skills can boost your mental health.
If you’re not naturally organized, it can take time to develop a system that works for you. Start with these tips to get you started:
Get Organized
Getting organized may seem like a “born with it” trait, but it can be learned and honed with practical techniques and tools. Whether you’re struggling with personal clutter or an overflowing work desk, there are many things that can be done to improve your productivity and decrease stress levels.
Organizing is not an overnight process, so it’s important to start small and set realistic goals for yourself. If you’re aiming for a fully organized home, start by choosing one room or even less than that (such as just a closet or countertop). You can also use an organizing challenge calendar to keep yourself motivated.
The key to keeping a space organized is to make sure that all items have their own designated place, and that those spots are easy to access. That way, you’re less likely to leave items out on counters or floors because it takes too long to find where they belong.
Creating an organizational system is not only good for your mental health, but it can also be good for your physical health as well. It can help you avoid overworking, reduce stress, and increase focus, especially when working on a project that requires your full attention. Getting organized can also help you save time by eliminating the need to search for files or emails that have already been sent, which can lead to a significant reduction in wasted hours.
Create a To-Do List
A to-do list is a basic organizational tool, and one of the most important in your arsenal. You can create a to-do list with pen and paper or use an electronic tool. Some apps even allow you to set notifications for recurring tasks or assign them to team members. Whatever method you choose, be sure to spend some time thinking about each item on your list and making it as clear as possible.
Remember that our working memory is limited, and only seven items can be held in it at a time. So, when you write your to-do list for the day, try to limit it to just seven items (plus or minus two).
The next step is to rank the tasks on your to-do list by importance. Start with the most important task first, and work your way down. This helps you stay on track for the entire day, and it gives you a sense of satisfaction when you finish a task early.
Keeping the list short also makes it easier to manage. If a task takes longer than expected, try to break it into parts and complete those on a different day. Or, if the task is not important but urgent, consider delegating it to someone else. This is not about taking on more work, it’s about empowering yourself to make better decisions. In the end, that’s what getting organized is all about.
Create a Calendar
Whether you use an app on your phone or tablet, a physical wall calendar, or an online one, a good way to organize your life is to have a clear schedule to reference. Whenever you have an appointment, event, or meeting, make sure to write it down in your calendar so you can keep track of all the important things happening in your day.
It’s also a great idea to create a plan for each day before you go to bed the night before so you know exactly what you need to get done. This helps prevent you from waking up and being overwhelmed by everything that needs to be accomplished. Plus, it’s a great way to feel like you have accomplished something every day.
Another great way to organize your schedule is by creating categories in your calendar. The key is to divide your appointments and meetings into groups that have similar characteristics. For example, group doctor appointments together or any meetings with clients who are a repeat customer. You can then color code the categories so you can see at-a-glance what is coming up in your week.
You can create a customized calendar on ClickUp to help you stay organized! Just add the Calendar view by clicking on it in the left sidebar and choosing the time period you want to view (it can be a day, four days, a week, or month). Any tasks that have a start or due date will automatically appear in your Calendar.
Write Things Down
If you’re not a big planner or note taker, you can still get organized. You just need to write things down, and by hand if possible. Studies show that our brains hold onto information better when we physically write it down, rather than typing or scanning an electronic document. That’s a pretty good reason to ditch the apps and go back to paper for your notes, reminders and lists.
Writing down your tasks, appointments and to-dos takes the pressure off of your brain. You can focus your mind on other more important work, or enjoy a relaxing dinner with family or friends. Having your calendar and to-do list written out also helps prevent you from forgetting important dates or meetings.
When you’re able to clear out your mental space of all the “must remember” thoughts that constantly distract you, you can think more clearly and efficiently. You can prioritize and organize, and see the big picture so that you can make wiser choices about your time and resources. The freedom you feel from taking this weight off of your shoulders can be very powerful and freeing. The process of writing also preserves memories, and it’s a great way to reflect on past events or your life in general. Whether you choose to use a journal or a day planner, getting in the habit of writing it all down will help you stay on track.
Set Up Work Zones
Work zones are some of the most hazardous environments for workers, as they place them in close proximity to vehicles traveling at high speeds. These conditions can lead to traffic accidents and fatalities for both the traveling public and roadway construction crews. Ensuring proper work zone layout — from the length of advance warning, transition, activity and termination areas to the location and spacing of temporary traffic control devices — reduces these risks and improves safety.
For instance, while it may seem strange to have a lane closure sign up for a long time without the work actually occurring, this is done in order to ensure that motorists have ample notice of upcoming work and can alter their routes accordingly. It’s also common practice to close only the minimum amount of lanes required for safe and effective work. Lane closures are also analyzed for their impact on traffic delay, and every effort is made to minimize these impacts.
Getting organized helps professionals stay focused and productive, whether they’re working on road construction projects or in the office. There are a number of tools that can be used to help with this, including time blocking your days, writing things down and setting up work zones. With these methods in place, you can make sure your priorities are clear and your tasks are prioritized, helping you reach your goals. To add a new work zone for a resource, select the resource from the Resource Tree and click Work Zones. On the Add Work Zone for
Put Things Back Where They Belong
When you have a place for every little item in your home, it’s much easier to keep things neat. That’s why it’s one of the most important tips on how to get organized and stay that way. It doesn’t take long to put those scissors back into your desk drawer or that pitcher into the kitchen cabinet, but these simple tasks can have a huge impact on your mental state.
Large open spaces, like shelves and cupboards, are easy to turn into dumping grounds when there’s no set organization system in place. To avoid this, try putting items away as soon as you’ve used them. It’s also a good idea to group similar items together so they’re easy to find, like cleaning supplies in one area or dog toys in another.
Another great tip for how to get organized is to use organizational tools, like bins, shelves, or shoe racks, in each room of your house. This helps define the space and makes it easy to sort through and organize items. It’s also a good idea if you have more than one person living in the house to make getting organized a shared family goal.
This is especially helpful for larger spaces that can feel daunting to tackle alone, such as the garage or basement. By making these goals a family project, you’ll have more support and motivation to continue with your organizing journey.