The year has already begun but that isn't stopping me from making some small changes that will go a long way to becoming more organized. Many people use productivity and organization interchangeably perhaps because you need one to be good at the other. For me, it's easier to attack organization than think of how to be more productive. If I have a set time and place for everything and prioritize those things, greater productivity will follow.
Here is what I'm working on now and into 2018 to be more organized:
De-Clutter
I spent a good part of the holiday season removing the clutter from my life. You know what I mean. It's those piles of magazines, paperwork and stuff that you haven't looked at in months. If you are not paying attention to it, you just don't need it. That goes for probably half the items in your closet, pantry and office, too. There might be things lurking in there for years that you just don't need.
You may not realize that the clutter does have an impact on your psyche and ability to think clearly. While you may not go as far as to Feng Shui your office or home, you can do a good clear out, including recycling and donating items. In return, you'll be able to find what you really need much more quickly.
Simplify
Once you undertake the de-clutter, keep it that way. I realize it's easier said than done because many have a tendency to continue adding things on impulse. However, if we can discipline ourselves to only buy what we really need to get by on a daily basis with a treat here and there, the simple existence we have will enlighten us on a mental and emotional level, driving greater focus.
While I do love technology, I also keep the number of devices I have and reliance on them to a minimum. Otherwise, it tends to drive distractions and attention deficiency. Minimize how much time you spend on these devices and use them only for specific tasks that may help you organize or be productive. I've also been able to save more money and start a retirement fund. In this way, I've become more organized with my finances, too.
You don't have to strip everything out of your life all at once. Identify one or two areas where you might be able to remove complications. From there, aim to do the same with other areas over time as you get comfortable with a simpler life.
Techify And Automate
While I use fewer devices, I have added more apps that automate many aspects of my life. Using as much automation technology as possible buys time back for me to use elsewhere on more productive, revenue-building activities. It's even time I can apply to other things like exercise, downtime and sleep. Look for ways to easily arrange meetings, prioritize based on your past actions and keep you on time for your appointments and events.
Delegate
Often, this becomes an issue more so for women who believe they have to do it all themselves and are afraid to ask others for help. It's not a sign of weakness to delegate anything on your endless to-do list. If anything, one of the smartest things I've done was to figure out who could help me in work and life. This tactic helps with becoming more organized because it allows me to compartmentalize different aspects, tasks or projects and hand them off to someone I trust.
Whether it is budgeting a bit more to hire a freelancer or other virtual team member or it's getting a spouse or child more involved, there are plenty of people out there that want to help you get on top of your responsibilities. You gain time and focus while they get to advance their skills and reap other benefits.
File
Put 2017 behind you and stop thinking about what happened or went wrong. Take any lessons you can find upon reflection and add these to your 2018 goals. It's not the time to beat yourself up. Although the past can serve as a guide, you can only get organized by looking ahead.
That means physically filing any 2017 paperwork away. You can also do the same with your digital files to ensure you have plenty of room for new projects and work in 2018. Anything that you no longer work on can be separated and removed to help you get to what you are working on much more quickly.
Before you do, though, don't forget to gather everything you need to prepare your business and personal taxes for the year! When those are done, you can also put all that information away.
Prioritize
I've always set goals every year and even on a quarterly basis for my work. However, what I'm focusing on in 2018 is prioritizing those things that are the most important to achieve in both my professional and personal life. I made a list of long-term priorities for the year and shorter-term priorities for each month and week. As part of the apps I use, I've also prioritized daily tasks related to the overall priorities and goals I've set. Don't choose more than three of each type of priority to focus on or you'll just be back to the idea of a to-do list. Once you have listed what is most important, you can organize everything else around those things.
