Getting Organized: Where do I start?

The number one statement from my organizing clients:

I just don’t know where to start.

Sound familiar? There’s nothing more frustrating or daunting than a laundry room resembling a tornado disaster or an office desk piled so high you only recognize the computer monitor. My guess is there is just not enough caffeine to be convinced.

Regardless of the clutter projects surrounding you, the first and most important place to start is with YOU. What I actually mean is start with the framework of your life – begin with organizing your time, your priorities and your tasks. You will be successful in executing any organization project if you start here. You can’t have a tree without roots.

Time, Priorities and Tasks

Confession number 837… my friends would tell you I am often late. Okay, they would really tell you I couldn’t be on time even if I was being chased by a hungry bear. I am notoriously guilty of trying to be so efficient with every minute of my day that instead of being 5 minutes early (right answer), I will try and fit in a chore or errand and end up 15 minutes late (as my mom would call it “uncouth”). My organizing clients would not agree, as I have made an extraordinary effort to plan ahead on routes and allowing for traffic. I have also learned to not overbook so that I’m not in a hurry between clients. This takes only a little extra effort to organize, but the end result – my schedule is easier to follow and when I don’t feel rushed, I don’t feel stressed. Now if I could learn to apply this standard to my personal life and get my baby on board with this idea – life would be cake. Figure out what works for you when it comes to organizing your time. As it has been proven writing things down creates a better memory in our minds so I am an advocate for a day planner – I have used the tried and true Franklin Covey to the chic and thoughtful Day Designer. I also cross schedule all my personal and professional appointments into my phone calendar with reminders. Conveniently, my phone talks to my computer and tablet device so all my electronics are in sync. I am not going to directly advertise for my electronics as I have given them so much money already but their logo may or may not be a piece of fruit.

We are all ‘busy’. Sometimes my busy is binging on the latest season of OITNB. And sometimes my busy is a full day of work appointments intermixed with infant care, followed by chores and homes duties. I encourage you to make an active list of your priorities both at home and at work. I consider reading bedtime stories with my daughter to come way ahead of emptying the dishwasher. Home is the easy list as family time is always the priority. And as my Aunt Sylvia would say, “Screw chores!” – but instead of ‘screw’ she used a much more profound verb. As for the professional side, work projects are many and serving in a creative consulting field is no exception. I make a priority list weekly and revisit at least once a day to make sure I am on track and focusing on the projects that are greater priorities. While I love blogging and pouring out my thoughts on my favorite subject, it rarely comes ahead of taking care of customer needs. This is where prioritizing by sustainability comes into play. At the end of the day, your priorities should reflect what matters most to you. Are you spending your time doing the things that just fill time or the things that will help you reach your goals?

Ah, then there is the beckoning to-do list. After you’ve figured out how to keep your schedule straight and you know where your priorities fall, you can finally build up that task list. It doesn’t matter if you rely on a fridge notepad or have the most expensive list app available – just have a way to make that list and track it! Make sure however you do maintain your list that it is something that is easy to update and highly visible. Trust me on the highly visible part, this will be a glaring reminder that can prevent at least two hours of social media stalking minimum. The precursor to this part is actually taking the time to make your task list. I recommend you do so at the close of your day for the following day. I feel so much better about enjoying Sunday night dinner (which is pasta night at our house) when I have already made Monday’s to-do list. Revisit your list at the beginning of your day and then get down to it! Am I the only weirdo who feels like a can of awesome sauce when I can cross out not one, but TWO items on the to-do list?

With the framework of your time, priorities and tasks set, getting organized will be achievable and sustainable.

If you still feel like you just don’t know where to start, just call me.