Most people have very good intentions when it comes to organising their lives and homes, but very often, it still remains quite a challenge. We get busy and the little things are ignored, and then the little things accumulate or become big things, and before we know it, we’re buried again.
There are some steps that anyone can take, though, to get out of this cycle and get organised once and for all. Follow these six steps and say goodbye to stress from disorganisation.
- Write Down Everything
Nothing will make you feel as disorganised as forgetting things. That’s why we recommend writing down everything, from appointments to items you need to purchase at the grocery store to tasks that need to get done at home and at work.
Trying to remember everything in your head will make you feel confused and overwhelmed. One great way to do this is by purchasing the best daily planner to suit your needs to make life simpler. Carry it with you to jot it all down.
- Make Schedules (and Stick to Them)
The key to avoiding wasted time is scheduling smartly. You must stay productive if you want your life to be more organised. Find the best daily planner for your lifestyle and fill it out in as much detail as you can.
Be realistic. There’s no point in setting aside 20 minutes to do something that you know will take an hour. That will only leave you feeling more overwhelmed and disorganised in the end. In addition, don’t procrastinate. Even if you complete all but your most dreaded task, you’ll still feel badly at the end of the day. Do your worst chores first.
All of that being said, don’t forget to save time for friends, family, and yourself. There’s no point in being organised if you don’t get to enjoy the extra time that you’ve earned.
- Declutter and Designate Space
If you’re reading this, then there’s a relatively high likelihood that your home, workspace, vehicle, and other places that you spend time need some tidying. Over a period of time, go through all of your belongings and get rid of everything that you don’t absolutely need.
Then, designate a space for everything you have kept. Make sure it’s a spot that makes sense and is convenient given the uses of the item. If you use scissors most often in the kitchen, don’t put them in your home office.
Don’t rush this process. Trying to tackle too much tidying at once is overwhelming. Carve out time in your new planner over the course of a few weeks, instead.
- Maintain Your Tidiness (and Your Sanity)
Now that you’ve spent all of this time organising your spaces, you have to keep it that way! Some of this is going to be about developing good organisational day-to-day habits. Put things away when you’re done using them; clean dishes after each meal; and follow a cleaning schedule (for example, dust on Mondays, vacuum on Tuesdays, and so on).
If you tidy regularly, you never become swamped with a messy home or workplace that distracts you from more important tasks. What’s more, studies have shown that working in a well-kept environment can help your mind focus on tasks at hand and avoid distraction.
Bonus: you’ll always be ready to welcome guests!
- Don’t Accumulate Junk
Along with regular cleaning and keeping your home tidy, you need to avoid accumulating any more junk. We understand how hard it can be to pass up a bargain, especially on an item that you like. But remember that you’re going to have to find a place for that item when you bring it home.
Before you buy something, ask yourself a few questions. Have I recently had a need for this item prior to seeing it on sale? How often will I use it? Where will it go in my home?
Lastly, remember all the hard work you did to straighten and organise your space in the first place, and the amount of peace of mind it brought into your life. Is this new item going to contribute to that feeling, or take away from it?
- Work Hard but Share the Burden
Even the most organised people have to delegate, whether at home or at work. In fact, they probably all do it frequently.
Get yourself comfortable with asking your family and co-workers to help out with chores and tasks that also benefit them. Being organised is also about being realistic about your own capabilities and limitations. Don’t be afraid to say no!
Keep the Big Picture in Mind
Finally, don’t get too bogged down in the minutiae. You’re probably working on your organisation for a bigger goal that you’re working to achieve, whether it be more time with loved ones, starting a business, or time to train for a marathon. Keep that in mind and use it to motivate you on the tough days.