3. Plan Ahead
Work two weeks ahead, or more if you can. On Sunday’s I spend time in my calendar mapping out the next two weeks. When you do this, you naturally memorize what’s coming up so there are no surprises. When things get really hectic, I block personal time for myself in advance so that when the last-minute requests start coming in, I can make a decision (sometimes you need to say NO!) rather than over committing or double booking myself. Set yourself up for success by meal prepping, planning outfits, and clean up your space at home (as noted in step 1 above). You want to walk into your work week knowing your life is completely organized.
4. Use Lists
Make lists and follow them. You can make daily and weekly lists, put things in order by deadline or priority, whatever makes sense. I am all about being green and utilizing our devices, but when it comes to your to-do list take it back to the pen and paper. You need your list to be somewhere you will see it every day like on your counter, desk, or your night stand. When you do something on your list, cross it off. It is a working list, when you think of something you need to do, add it. Don’t spend all day making lists, they are not supposed to look pretty. Think brain dump— get everything into your list. Once you get through everything you wrote down, then you can start a fresh one.
5. Quality Time
In order to be organized, you need to have a clear and healthy mind. You absolutely need to make time for things that fill your cup and provide you with joy which leads to clarity. I always write in my journal in the morning no matter what. It helps me release my thoughts and practice gratitude. I will put on a playlist or podcast and go for nature walks. I do a lot of my best thinking by myself when I’m walking, and I often process whatever is going on in my mind. By the time I’m home, I have a clear mind and there is space available to fill my brain back up. You cannot feel like you are “too busy” all the time and not spend time with yourself. Cook, exercise, stretch, meditate, read, have a bath, get a manicure, watch Netflix - make time to think.