Struggling to get organized? Don’t freak out, it happens to most of us! Even when you have the best of intentions, organization is no small feat. Getting properly organized can help you perform better at work, have more time for a social life and improve your overall well-being.
If you want to bring some more order to your life instead of chaos, follow these tips to get organized and bring a little calm to your world.
1. Don’t Rely On Your Memory.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve tried to remember a task and then within 5 minutes completely forgot what I was supposed to be doing!
Instead of relying on your memory, the best way to get organized is to make sure you write everything down. Use a planner, or Post-it notes or the Notes app in your phone.
Notes, to-do lists, and appointments properly recorded will help you stay much more on plan. If you’re stuck for a planning system that works, take inspiration the business world and turn to guides like 12 Free Employee Scheduling Software Tools for the best calendar planning ideas.
2. Make Sure You Have Back-ups Of Everything Important.
Remember to backup your computer files to save yourself stress and panic in case of technical issues. Cut duplicates of your home and car keys and give them to a trusted friend or family member so you have spares in case you get locked out and need rescuing.
Scan important documents like your passport, ID and bank details and put them in a secure folder. Keep any professional qualification documents, birth certificates, insurance documents and any ownership deeds in the secure folder too.
3. Have a Place For Everything.
Organize your home into categories, and set up dedicated storage spots for everything. At the end of the day, spend some time returning everything to its designated spot, whether it’s putting the laundry back in the wardrobe, or storing away electronics that you aren’t using.
4. Scan and Backup Pictures.
If you’re worried about losing sentimental pictures of friends and family, scan your favorites and back them up in the cloud. That way, even if you lose your pictures or they get damaged by a fire or flood, you can still get copies printed and protect those precious memories.
5. Watch Out For Areas That Attract Clutter.
If you have a habit of dumping clothes on a chair in the bedroom or scattering keys and mail on the hall table, it’s time to dedicate an hour or so to fold those clothes and throw out the mail you don’t need.
By the hall table, you could add some coat hooks, a letter rack and a dish for keys to keep your homecoming mess under control. A tray on the coffee table can be used for remotes and random small things that accumulate there.
6. Manage Your Money.
Typically being disorganized bleeds into several parts of your life- that includes your money. Get your spending under control with a money management app. You can document your spending, which might shock you into dropping bad habits when you can see just how much money you’re wasting.
Being on top of your finances is a good habit to develop and will help you get organized in other areas of your life.
7. Check The Expiration Dates in Your Food Cabinets and Medicine Drawers.
Many of us keep stock of things like painkillers for months, but don’t realize our supplies have gone out of date. Canned goods are another culprit that tend to go bad but unnoticed in a cupboard for a long time. Throw away anything that is out of date, and remember to go through everything regularly.
8. If You Live With Others, Make Getting Organized A Home Routine.
A cleaning rotation works well for roommates, couples and young families alike. Find a list of age appropriate chores here for ideas. It can take a village to get organized, so make sure you include everyone in your home in the process!
9. Unsubscribe, Unsubscribe, UNSUBSCRIBE!
We spend an insane amount of time opening emails or newsletters that we really don’t care about. Take an afternoon to go through your inbox and unsubscribe from any and everything you no longer want to receive.
The ultimate key to getting organized is making it a priority and habit in your life. I hope you found these 9 tips useful and if you have any tips on how to get organized, please leave them in the comments below!
