I have days where I’m super-organised, everything is perfectly planned and I feel really, really productive! Other days, I don’t know how I even manage to leave the house…It all started after I had my son, so I’m going to blame it on baby-brain because it is definitely real!
Surely I’m not the only one who has these crazy days, so I thought I’d share a few things that actually make a big difference to how productive my day is.
OK maybe reading this list alone won’t organise your life, but it will definitely give you a few ideas of small things that you can start doing to make your days less stressful.
Alright, enough of my rambling…Here’s my killer list to help you sort your life out!
54 Ways to Feel More Organised
- Write things down before you forget
- Set a 15-minute timer to complete small tasks before moving on
- Follow a routine in the morning, and the evening too
- Put things back in their place as soon as you’re finished with them
- Create a meal plan for the week ahead
- Meal prep for the week ahead, following the above meal plan
- Unsubscribe from unwanted emails
- Try not to multi-task. Give each task your full attention
- Schedule some daily downtime for yourself. Try at least 60 minutes with no phone, social media, emails etc.
- Use a calendar: on your phone, a diary or planner, even a wall calendar
- Learn to say ‘no’ sometimes. You don’t have to attend every event you’re invited to.
- Declutter your work-space
- Set yourself a challenge, and include others
- Clear out your handbag weekly
- Learn how to batch cook, and use your freezer
- Set yourself a budget and review it weekly
- Tidy up after yourself
- Donate items that you don’t use regularly
- Schedule your washing machine to start while you’re asleep, so it’s finished just before you wake up. (Most machines have delayed-start timers)
- Make your calendar visible to friends & family. Put it up in the kitchen, or share it digitally
- Sort through your mail straight away
- Take a photo of documents so you can keep a record, and get rid of the paper copy
- Use the Reminder App on your phone
- Create templates, e.g. for emails that you send regularly
- Dictate text instead of typing
- Get enough sleep – aim for at least 8 hours a night
- Wake up early
- Leave your phone in another room if it’s a distraction
- Have a cleaning schedule
- Choose and lay out your clothes the night before
- Wash up or put things in the dishwasher straight away
- Tidy up your computer desktop
- Use a password manager on your personal devices
- Set up direct debits for your bills
- Automate monthly savings to be transferred to a separate account on payday
- Go paperless where you can. Opt for email correspondence instead
- Close unused bank accounts; less paper, and fewer emails
- Make your bed
- Stockpile regularly used items when they’re on offer
- Use your space wisely! Not everyone has masses of space, but there are some inventive storage solutions out there
- Track your calories
- Prepare your meals & snacks for the next day, and log/track it at the same time
- Write a shopping list and keep it up to date. As soon as you see things running low, write it down
- Plan your route in advance, if you’re going somewhere new
- If you have a long daily commute, check your route before you set off, in case there are delays
- Clean your car and keep it clutter free
- Listen to something that motivates you. Music, Podcasts, audiobooks
- Follow/subscribe to people on social media that motivate you. YouTube is great for this!
- Research big purchases online, and small ones too
- Use the UNFOLLOW button! Review your social media and be brutal; unfollow anyone who doesn’t inspire, entertain or motivate you.
- Get up, shower and get dressed (even if you don’t plan on leaving the house that day)
- Make your own coffee/tea/juice and take it with you, instead of buying them when you’re out
- Always have a refillable water bottle with you
- Write down your ideas and revisit them often
So, hopefully you’ve made it to the end a little bit more inspired than when you started.
If there’s anything you think I’ve missed let me know in the comments below, or send me an email on contact@wheresmylist.com
