Five Ways to Get Organized This Year
Published: January 7, 2021
January is the start of a new year, and also “Get Organized Month”!
Getting organized at the start of the year is a great way to set-up the rest of the year for success. Studies have shown that being organized can improve your physical and mental health. According to WebMD, getting clutter under control can improve sleep quality, reduce stress, improve relationships, reduce depression and anxiety, and more.
As you look ahead to a new year, here are five tips to help you be more organized and productive throughout 2021.
1.) Have a daily to-do list and keep it with you.
Having a list for keeping track of what you need to do each day is critical to staying organized. Telling yourself that you will remember will not work in the long term. Even if the list is only a few items, it helps you keep track of important items and dates, and you will feel very productive when you get to cross an item off the list.
2.) Follow a routine.
The more organized you are, the more likely you will be productive. Start by writing down an hour-by-hour account of each day and how much time you spend on specific activities. Once you see how much time you spend watching TV or on your phone, you can set up a new daily routine with built-in time for other habits like tidying up, paying bills, or organizing.
3.) Stick to a cleaning schedule.
Organized people make cleaning up a daily priority. Even if it is just setting aside time to fold laundry or put the dishes away, prioritizing tidiness regularly will help you stay on top of it and keep things clean and organized long term. Set aside one block of time a week to do a “deep clean” and get to those undesirable tasks like scrubbing toilets or dusting.
4.) Donate one item before buying a new one.
It sounds simple, but it is actually quite tricky. Whenever you buy a new shirt, pair of shoes, or kitchen gadget, donate an older one. Donating will help you only buy the stuff you truly need and keep clutter to a minimum.
5.) Unsubscribe from old email lists.
Is your inbox overwhelming you? Set aside time once a month to unsubscribe from any unwanted email lists or subscriptions. Even though it might feel like a small thing, clearing up your inbox will give you peace of mind and allow you to be even more productive.