Trying to stay organized, keeping on top of everything, from friends to family, social gatherings, events, and life admin, can be overwhelming. It can seem like a juggling act even at the best of times, throwing balls into the air and hoping that one doesn’t come crashing down.
Despite the idea that organization is a “born with it” trait, it can be learned and honed like any other soft skill. Programs like an online doctorate in organizational leadership at American International College online can also teach skills like strategic planning and efficiency that translate directly into organizing your life more effectively.
If you’re looking to truly organize your life, this guide is for you. Instead of throwing tasks into the air, hoping you’ll manage them all, these are tips you can implement into your daily life to control the daily chaos.
The benefits of being organized
Getting organized brings plenty of benefits, such as reduced stress and increased productivity. By organizing your life and space, you’ll have more time for yourself, work, and events with friends.
Benefits you’ll enjoy by getting organized include:
- Less stress: When your schedule and space are organized, it can lead to less stress. This is because you know exactly what to expect, your day is already planned, and you know where everything is.
- Increased capacity for creativity: Staying on top of your tasks and having a clear schedule can free up more time for creative hobbies, like art or writing. It also frees up your mental capacity, as you’re not constantly trying to organize activities at the last minute.
- Reduced risk of burnout: When you’re feeling stressed, it increases the risk of burnout. Getting organized will also reduce the risk of making mistakes, which will, in turn, reduce stress.
What is getting “organized”?
The concept of organization will look different for everybody, but generally, it means arranging your tasks, information, and resources so you can manage them effectively.
For some people, this might look like using planners, for others, calendar apps, or task lists.
Organization and mental health
Beyond the benefits of being organized, it’s also shown that organization, clutter, and mental health are connected. A lack of organization, whether it’s within a person’s physical space, tasks, or routine, can have a negative impact on a person’s well-being.
Understanding this connection can be a great motivator for staying organized. It’s also a great way to discern if there’s an opportunity for you to modify your physical space or routine to improve your mental health.
Increased stress levels
A person’s home is a place where they should be able to rest and relax; however, research shows that disorganization and visual clutter can impact that. One study found that people who reported more clutter in their homes had higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, compared to people who had less clutter.
Cortisol has many functions, such as regulating blood pressure and helping control your sleep-wake cycle. Elevated levels of cortisol can cause high blood pressure, disrupt sleep, and lead to weight gain.
Difficulty focusing
Research shows that clutter can make it harder for people to think clearly. So, if your office space or home is filled with clutter, it can decrease productivity and even impact your mood. Our brains can only focus on so many stimuli at a time.
Procrastiation
Studies have found that disorganized people with cluttered homes are more likely to procrastinate when it comes to important tasks. Poor organizational skills can also make it harder to complete tasks. For example, a poorly managed email inbox might make it harder to find the right email to reply to.
Top tips for organizing your life
If you’re tired of feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of everyday life, the following tips will help you bring a sense of control back to your life. These tips can help improve focus, create routines, and manage stress.
Start using a planner
If you haven’t tried already, planners are a great way to consolidate all of your tasks, appointments, and goals.
The difference between a planner and a journal or diary is that planners include options for calendars, lists, and notes. Using one is a great way to easily (and visually) plan out your week in advance. Pro tip: when shopping for a planner, find one you like, whether it’s a leather-bound option or super colorful.
Set priorities and goals
Taking time to reflect on your goals and setting priorities that align with them, like your career or university, can help you better organize your life. That way, you can organize tasks based on importance.
Sitting down and creating a clear vision for your future, whether it’s for the next few weeks, months, or years, can help you create a manageable plan to organize and achieve it. Setting goals can also help you stay focused and motivated.
Leave room in your schedule
Burnout is when you feel emotionally, physically, or mentally exhausted from life’s demands, whether it’s in your personal life or work. Filling up your schedule every week can contribute to burnout, and leaves no room for unexpected events or emergencies.
We recommend always leaving flexibility on your calendar to deal with any unexpected events that might pop up, or to just remind yourself to have some downtime.
Develop habits and build a routine
Routines and habits are the key to strong organization. Everyone has habits that develop and solidify throughout life, determining our actions without conscious thought. The goal is to create healthy, positive habits.
Good examples might include sleeping for eight hours every night, reading before bed, or meal prepping every Monday. Good habits and routines can set you up for long-term success.
Declutter your space
When your space is messy, your thoughts are going to be messy. It’s harder to organize when your space, whether it’s your home or office, isn’t clean and filled with clutter. Try to make it a regular habit to declutter; this can also help reduce stress and increase productivity.
Self-care and sleep
Between appointments and social events, it’s important to leave time in your calendar for self-care and sleep. Overextending yourself by going out too often or spending too much time on work can increase stress and make it challenging to keep your life organized.
Several ways you can indulge in self-care include:
- Reading a book
- Ensure you’re getting enough sleep
- Watching a movie with friends
- Meditation or journaling
Sleep is a necessary human function, crucial for allowing our brains to recharge and our bodies to rest. Even slight sleep deprivation can impact a person’s memory, judgment, and mood. If you’re trying to get your life organized, a consistent sleep schedule is crucial.
Related: Does Your Behaviour Decide Your Financial Health? Psychology of Finance
