This is something that I get asked about quite frequently. For me, it’s just a way of approaching your day or week that eliminates stress. However, I recognize that for others, the idea of beginning to organize different parts of their life is more overwhelming that just living with how they do things now.
If nothing else, keep this in mind: Getting organized doesn’t need to happen overnight. It’s not just a new habit. It requires a shift in lifestyle, and a shift in mindset.
There are tons of different areas you can organize. It could be your living space, your professional life, or your social life. Whatever your situation, here are a few things that I believe can be applied to all areas when it comes to organization:
1. Tackle it in chunks.
Chunking things is a great way to handle seemingly large concerns. It makes it easier to digest the idea, and makes it all seem more doable. For instance, if you’re thinking about organizing your apartment and purging items you no longer need, go room by room.
2. Make it unique to you.
The way you approach organization is a reflection of you, and everyone has certain things that they want to see in the final outcome. When it comes to planning out my work week, I like to have my Google Calendar colour-coded, and then I have my tasks and meetings for every day in a list form and delete lines as things occur. Choose one method to start with, and then go from there.
3. Share the “fun” with someone.
It can be easy to get overwhelmed. As you go through the process of organizing, share the experience and your learnings with someone you trust. Maybe it’s your partner, best friend, or your parents. Talking through it will help you to better understand why you took the approach you did, and if there’s anything that you should change going forward as you iterate new versions of it.
Khadijah Plummer Consulting 