Nobody likes to be disorganized. Getting organized takes time, but once you get used to it, life flows more easily. To be truly organized, you need to tidy up your spaces and agenda, making sure you keep track of all your appointments and commitments. There is also an organized way of working, which can make you more efficient and productive; you will therefore be able to complete more things in less time. Getting organized helps you reduce anxiety and stress because you will feel that you can manage daily activities with ease.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Organizing Your Spaces
Step 1. Organize your bedroom
If you want to learn how to keep your spaces properly organized, tidy up your room first. Examine each item it contains and decide if there are any that you can get rid of, maybe you don't need them or haven't used them for a long time. Keep only the items you usually use when you are in the bedroom. After tidying up and removing all that is superfluous you will feel better and ready to tidy up the rest of your spaces as well.
For example, if there is a bookcase full of books in your bedroom, go through them one by one and put the ones you no longer need in a box. Be honest with yourself and put away any that you will probably never re-read. You can donate them to your neighborhood library to avoid messing up another room in the house
Step 2. If you work or study at home, organize your workspace and yours desk.
If you are in the habit of working or studying in a room in the house, learn to keep it tidy and well organized. Go through all the documents and paperwork lying on the desk, then file the important ones in a binder, drawer, or closet. Throw away any papers you don't need to keep as a physical copy. Organize the stationery in a closet or drawer space and store the pencils and pens in a storage compartment.
- Objects that you use often, while working or studying, should be kept close at hand so that they are easy to reach. For example, if you use the stapler frequently, make a space for it in the top drawer of your desk so that you always know where it is and that it is easy to grab.
- Organize the electrical cables using zip ties to keep them tidy. This way you will prevent them from getting tangled and you will not risk tripping. Plus, your space will look nicer.
Step 3. Organize the kitchen
It is most likely one of the most used spaces in the house. Tidy it up by examining all items present to eliminate any that are broken or no longer used. Anything that is in good condition can be donated to a canteen for the homeless. Once you have removed the superfluous, arrange the utensils and dishes you usually use.
- Put the things you need in the drawers or lockers available, grouping them by gender (for example, put all the cups or all the cutlery in a single space). The work surface must be as free as possible, you can leave out only the objects you use most often, such as the cutting board or the kettle.
- Some objects must be organized with precision, it is not enough to group them by genre. The single ones that you use frequently, such as spices, should be stored in an accessible place to be able to reach them easily, for example inside a spice rack placed on the worktop.
- Anything perishable, such as food, should be consumed in order, based on the date of purchase or expiration. Organize yourself so that those that go eat first are in the front row; for example, when you cover a new box of peeled tomatoes, place it behind (and not in front of) the one that was already in the pantry.
Step 4. Organize your clothes in the closet
Another space that tends to be often messy is where we keep our clothes, especially if there are a lot of them. Organize the closet by examining one item at a time to determine if there are any that you can discard because you no longer use them. Chances are there are several that you haven't worn for over a year, so you can get rid of them. When finished, organize the remaining items by gender, for example by stacking all the jeans on a shelf or hanging all the jackets in the same place in the closet.
- Alternate them in the positions that are easier to reach so as not to risk wearing the same clothes over and over again.
- Group the shoes in a single space, preferably in a shoe cabinet or inside their boxes. In the second case, label the boxes to know what they contain without having to open them. In this way you will have a complete view of the footwear at your disposal and you will avoid wearing the same shoes all the time.
Step 5. Clean your spaces regularly
To keep them tidy, systematically clean your bedroom, kitchen and study or work area. Spend a day a week tidying up and thoroughly cleaning all these spaces. This way you will be able to prevent dirt and unnecessary objects from accumulating in every area of the house. You will also find it less difficult to keep the organization system you created in place.
- While waiting for the weekly cleaning, you can also periodically reorder each area to keep it organized. Quickly dust off every surface in the house once a day, throw away any papers you don't need, or file the ones you will only use later to prevent them from piling up on your desk and getting in your way while you study or work.
- Cleaning your spaces once a week should be enough, but if you find that it gets confusing in a few days, you can take action in the middle of the week to tidy up where it is needed.
Part 2 of 3: Organize Your Time
Step 1. Write down important appointments on your calendar
Get one and hang it up where you can see it every day, for example in the kitchen, next to your bed or in your study. Alternatively, you can set up a calendar on your computer or use one of the many apps available for smartphones. Record all important commitments, such as deadlines, meetings and meetings. Update them regularly to be able to organize your days in the best possible way.
- Get in the habit of checking your calendar daily; it should be the first thing you do in the morning or the last thing you do before going to bed.
- Use different colors to code tasks based on your priorities. For example, you can highlight the important ones in red and the less relevant ones in yellow.
- If you choose to use an application for your smartphone, you can set up notifications to help you remember when your appointment is approaching, for example a few hours or days in advance; in this way you will be sure not to forget it. There are apps that act as a real virtual personal assistant, do a search in the store of your device.
Step 2. Use an agenda
It is another excellent ally who can help you better organize your time. It allows you to decompose the week into days and the days into hours, giving you the ability to annotate appointments and meetings with extreme precision. This is especially useful if you are someone who has a lot of commitments every day. Record them on the agenda at the right time, then check it every morning to know exactly what you need to do and to be constantly organized.
For example, you might write down that you need to attend a meeting at ten in the morning, call a client at three in the afternoon, and deliver a project by evening
Step 3. Create a to-do list
What the Anglo-Saxons call a "to-do list" is a very useful tool for staying organized. You could make a list for short-term and long-term things you need to do. Write it on a chalkboard and place it where you are sure you see it often, such as in the kitchen or near your bed. Check the items as you meet your commitments; Doing so will help you feel productive and motivated to successfully complete the following as well.
- If you prefer to keep the to-do list on your computer, create an Excel worksheet and use it as a "to-do list". Place it on your desktop so that you can see it and tick items as you complete your tasks.
- For example, you could create a short-term to-do list that lists the following items: finish work for tomorrow, clean my room, and shop for the week. Plus, you can create one for long-term commitments, such as applying for college within a month, studying Arabic, and planning a vacation.
Step 4. Reward yourself for being organized
Use a reward system to motivate yourself to stay tidy. You can reward yourself with something good or a movie night whenever one or more items on the list come up. Or you can take a short break and go for a walk when you complete a commitment on your calendar or diary.
You can reward yourself by engaging in a fun or relaxing activity, such as playing your favorite video game or watching your favorite TV show. The important thing is that you only grant yourself these rewards after completing all the tasks of the day
Part 3 of 3: Working Organized
Step 1. Make a note of your schedule for the day
To stay organized at work, you need to make a list of the things you need to do by evening. Rank the commitments by importance and check them off after you have completed them. The most relevant tasks should be listed first, followed by the least important ones. Whether you are a student or a worker, this method will help you feel more organized and less anxious.
For example, the first items on the list might be completing a project or preparing lunch for your child. Then you may need to find time to read emails or catch up on the latest news and finally have some other less important tasks for the afternoon or evening
Step 2. Schedule breaks during business hours
While it is important to complete all of your assignments, you shouldn't overlook the need to take breaks from time to time. You might want to take a five-minute break at the end of the work in progress, where you can relax your muscles, take a short walk, or do some exercise. You can also use the break to drink coffee or eat something light.
Breaking off from time to time is an effective way to avoid getting too tired, physically or mentally, especially if you have a lot of tasks to complete by the end of the day. Even if you are overworked, try to plan at least one stop so as not to use your body and mind for too many consecutive hours
Step 3. Do multiple things at the same time
Another method to be able to be more organized at work is what the Anglo-Saxons call "multitasking", ie dealing with several things simultaneously. Multitasking allows you to complete different tasks within a short period of time. It also helps you to be more organized, because it allows you to feel less overwhelmed with responsibilities or stressed about other things you have to do since you are already taking care of them.
- For example, you could put the kettle on the stove to make tea and fold laundry, send emails, and load the washing machine while you wait for the water to boil. Or you could start a download on your computer and take care of the paperwork or other work practices while you wait for it to finish.
- However, keep in mind that some studies have found that multitasking can reduce the ability to stay focused when doing just one activity.
Step 4. Delegate your tasks to others when necessary
If you have a lot of things to take care of, try delegating some if possible. You could ask your co-workers in the office or other family members for help if it is household or personal chores. Delegating can help you organize your day better and make you more efficient in carrying out the tasks you personally dedicate yourself to.
