If you are one of those people who has a hard time staying organized, you are not alone. Most of us find it difficult to get everything we need to do finished on time.
Getting organized isn’t really difficult. It really comes down to getting into the habit of doing a few things that will keep you on schedule and help you keep track of your things and where you should be.
Let’s Get Organized
By incorporating just a few of these methods can help save you time and keep yourself on schedule.
Write Things Down
Keep a notebook and pen with you and jot things down. This can be your grocery list, a phone number, an appointment, or even an idea for your smashing new novel.
Use a Calendar
Put down places you need to be, dentist appointments, the kid’s soccer game, pub night, and everything else you need to remember. Use a large wall calendar and the one on your phone.
Use Alerts
Set up an alert to let you know ahead of time that something is coming up. This will get you into the habit of checking your calendar and then you will always see other items listed there.
Meal Prep
Take the time to make up large dishes and then freeze them. Make up the lunches for your kids and yourself the night before. That will save you time and not stress you out in the morning.
Put Things in the Same Place
When you come in the door, have a place to put your keys. How many hours have we all lost searching for our stupid keys? Keep them by the door on a peg or in a container close by.
Keep your phone where you charge it, whether it is charging or not. You will soon get in the habit of doing so and not have to call yourself yo find it.
Say No
You have enough to do. Don’t get roped into helping your sister move or babysitting her dog. If you don’t want to go, don’t. Don’t feel guilty about it, either.
Do it Before You Need To
Anything you can do ahead of time, do it. Set up a timer to post your blog, get started on a project that isn’t due for a while, or food prep. When you know it is looming, start early.
Get Rid of Clutter
Do a regular sweep and get rid of things you don’t need. Take your clothes and books to a charity shop, recycle items that you are not using or have a yard sale, and make a bit of money off of your stuff.
Do More Than One Thing
If you are prepping the lunches for tomorrow or writing your blog post, throw in a load of laundry. You don’t want to spread yourself too thin, but you can do a few things at once to make your life a little easier.
Do the Things You Hate, First
Procrastination is easy. Attack the jobs and tasks you dislike the most. Then, the other jobs seem like a breeze in comparison. They will get done a lot faster once the crappy ones are out of the way.
Stick To Your Schedule
People who are always late do so because it is their habit. Give yourself plenty of time to get somewhere, complete a task, or even take a break. Set your alarm to get up a little earlier if you need to.
It’s important to remember that your schedule isn’t just yours. If you are late or take too much time doing something, you are now interfering with the schedules of other people, as well.
You Are Doing Great
Getting yourself organized is really a simple matter of forming a habit. He more you do it, the easier it becomes until it is a natural thing to do. Try starting with little things, don’t take them all on at once.
We can’t be all things to all people. Give yourself a break now and then and don’t try to take on the world. It is okay to say, ‘no, I can’t today’.
