I’ve had a few people
ask me recently what my secret is for juggling a career, a relationship,
friendships, and now a family. I’m definitely still figuring it out, but one of my
best tips is staying organized. If you ask me, a person can never be too
organized. We’re all so overscheduled nowadays. And, when you have a lot on your
plate, organization is key. Life is bound to get busy and when it does, having
your thoughts, space, and life in order can be the difference between success
and failure.
Today I wanted to share
10 common habits of the most organized people out there. If you can adopt them,
they're sure to bring a bit more clarity and precision to your life…
They write everything down.
Making to-do lists is
a given. But for ultra-organized people, it goes beyond that. No matter how
good your memory is, you’re bound to forget the small details every once in a
while. So, anytime there's something important you want to remember — from the
name of the acupuncturist your coworker recommended to the funny short story
idea that came to you in your sleep to your brother-in-law’s birthday — just
write it down.
They give themselves deadlines.
The most organized
individuals know that it’s not just about having a to-do list. It’s about
having a specific deadline assigned to each task you want to complete. By
checking tasks off by a certain time and date, you'll avoid leaving anything
important until the last minute.
They take breaks.
Stopping in the middle
of the day to declutter your desk isn’t always just a form of procrastination.
Taking a few minutes to catch your breath and get your space in order can help
you be more productive when you return to the task at hand. So, if you need a
breather, go grab coffee if you must, but consider an “organization break” as an
even more productive alternative.
They have a home for everything.
Extremely organized
people won’t bring anything home unless they know exactly where they're going
to put it. This means being more selective in what you purchase, and also
having proper storage systems. Here are a few creative storage solutions I love, and some tips for organizing your craft supplies.
They have shared online calendars.
Organized people know
that having shared online calendars makes for so much less back-and-forth when
you're trying to schedule something. So, consider syncing your Google or iCal calendar
with your closest colleagues, family members, or anyone else who would benefit.
And for times when you're trying to set a meeting with a larger group, I highly
recommend using a scheduling tool like Doodle.
They have a detailed email filing system.
You might think it was
a little bit ridiculous if you saw how many different folders I’ve created for filing
my emails (er…26). But, the fact of the matter is that having a detailed filing
system makes it easy to go back and find old emails in a snap.
They tackle one task at a time.
Trying to do too many
things at once can lead to chaos. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, try taking a
step back and focusing on one thing at a time. Prioritize the items on your
to-do list and start either with the tasks that are easiest to check off or the
most important. I promise that your to-do list will be cut in half before you
know it.
They have less stuff.
The more stuff you
have, the more likely it is to become disorganized. Organized people love to eliminate
the clutter and regularly purge items they no longer need. This also includes learning
to walk away from bargains. As far as the space in your closet is concerned,
it’s better to purchase one investment piece you really love than five so-so
tops you found on sale. Also, consider donating items you no longer need. It’s easier to part with
your possessions if you know they're going to a good cause.
They delegate.
Asking for help is
never a bad thing; in fact, it’s the quality of a good leader. Organized people
know when it takes a team to get something done and tend to be just as good at
organizing people as they are at organizing objects.
They set their alarms 15 minutes earlier
than they have to.
Being an early riser
gives you some uninterrupted time in the morning to organize your home, your
workspace, your thoughts or whatever else needs it. Not having to rush out the
door also ensures that your clothes and toiletries won’t end up strewn across
the floor or counter, and will instead be put back in the appropriate place. Here are some tips on becoming a morning person.
What are the best tricks you have for keeping
your life organized? xo Ilana
Team LC