Being organised has become a way of life for me. I’ve always struggled with my memory and this got worse when I started perimenopause! When you’re dealing with brain fog or anxiety, being organised can seem an impossible task. If you can establish routines and ways of managing your day to day life though it can become a habit rather than a chore. It takes time and effort to create the habit in the first place obvs, but once you’ve nailed it you’ll want it to stay that way. These 9 tips will help you to stay organised every day without too much effort.

1.    Check In

Start your day by checking what you’ve got going on and on your to-do list. If there’s anything you need to add, do it now. Prioritise your to-do list so that you tackle the important items first.

2.    Plan

As well as your to-do list you should plan your day. Include calls, meetings, chores and goals. You can use pen and paper, a planner/diary or a planning app. Don’t forget to include breaks! Make sure you include time for friends and family.

3.    The F.A.R. Rules

The F.A.R. Rules are essential for helping you to stay organised. They apply equally to your personal life as well as your work.

File it – if it’s important and needs to be kept (either in paper or electronic form) then file it immediately. I’m actively now trying to go paperless both in an effort to save the environment and storage space. That’s in both my business and my personal life. If I have receipts for example, I scan using an app called Scannable (it’s free, easy to use and I love it). Then I email it to myself and store it in the relevant folder. You can do this with any documents. It’s really quick and easy.

Act on it – if something needs to have action taken, for example, paying a bill or making a call, then do it immediately. Chances are it is something that will take no more than a few minutes so you may as well do it now right? Once you’re done either file or recycle it.

Recycle it – whether it’s junk mail or papers and items you’ve finished with, recycle it immediately once it’s no longer needed. If it’s anything identifiable such as with an address, date of birth, bank details, etc. make sure you shred it first.

These rules apply to emails as well as paperwork. By acting on them, you can keep your inbox under control. My best friend really stresses me out with her inbox. The last time I looked at her phone, the badge icon on her email said 1237!! I can’t even……

4. Digital Aids

We are usually told that we should detox from technology but I think this is crap. Technology is great. Even social media, despite many wellness sites telling you it’s the root of all your problems and you should delete your accounts. Granted, at times technology can be a distraction but there are some items that can help you become and stay productive. I’m a big believer in making technology work for you and not you for it.

Whatever it is you need to be organised with, that old Apple slogan “there’s an app for that” has never rang truer! There are apps to monitor your health and fitness, menu planning apps, scheduling, time and project management, financial management, parenting, household organisation; the list goes on.

5.    Track

To be successful with your organisational skills you need to track and monitor your progress. What’s working and what’s not? Be prepared to make changes and adjustments to how you do things. Just because one method of organising your wardrobe doesn’t work for you doesn’t mean that another won’t. FYI, wanna know mine…..Everything is hung in categories. All causal tops together, trousers together, jeans together. You get the idea. Every 6 months I have a purge. I did find that I would keep the same things hanging around and never wear them so this nifty little trick came in very handy…..I have a sort out, hang everything I’m keeping back in the wardrobe but I hang the hangers the opposite way round. After 6 months, I go through the wardrobe and get rid of everything that still has the hanger the wrong way round. That’s how I can see at a glance what I’m wearing regularly and what I’m not. Simples.

6.    Bin It

Don’t keep things for the sake of it. If it’s not useful or necessary then get rid of it. Recycle if you can or repurpose it. If not, take it to a charity shop. One woman’s trash is another’s treasure and all that. If you are keeping it then remember to put it away. Everything should have its own place. That way you keep your surroundings free from clutter and distractions.

7.    Identify

Keep a track of what works for you and keep on doing it. If something hasn’t been successful then identify what needs to be changed and do it that way the following day. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. If you don’t believe me, ask Einstein.

8.    5 Minute Review

Just like you started your day, end your day with a five-minute review. Celebrate your accomplishments and tick off everything you’ve achieved from your to-do list. Remove any non-essential or unimportant tasks that are still remaining. Whatever is left should be added to the next day’s list.

9.    To-Do List

Create your to-do list for the following day. Include any important tasks that you didn’t complete that day and only important items that need to be done. MAKE AN EXTRA EFFORT TO TACKLE THOSE TASKS FIRST THAT YOU DIDN’T GET DONE YESTERDAY THOUGH! Chances are, you didn’t get it done for a reason. That reason is usually avoidance or procrastination. Just do it. It will make you feel so good about yourself if you do it. Honestly!

Try and limit your list to 10 items or less so that you don’t feel overwhelmed or end the day with a list of unfinished tasks.

Becoming and staying organised doesn’t happen overnight and it does require regular effort. However, you can stay on track by following these nine tips. You can be organised every day with a little planning, time and effort.

What are your top tips for planning and staying organised? Share in the comments and spread the love.