Mehmet K.Personally, I love lists. I like making them, and I like using them. They help me keep track of things that would otherwise slip my mind, and to make habits out of things that would otherwise fall by the wayside. They help me avoid wasting time and energy rushing to complete tasks that could have been done days or even weeks ago at the last minute (I know we have all been there, but really anything we can do to combat procrastination is for our benefit). While they may seem limiting and constricting from the outside looking in — being restricted by the tasks on your list might feel that way to some extent — it is actually liberating. It gives you an accurate representation of what needs to be done, and an idea of what time you will have left to do what you want to do afterwards.
Having a list that helps you to stay organized is an awesome asset. You have a number of items — whether they are separated by room, time of day, or any other category of tasks you find most convenient — and you work through them, one by one, until you have rid your home or office of clutter, out-of-place objects, and dysfunction. Without further ado, here is a simple to-do list to help you get and stay organized, whether at work or at home!
Making Your To-Do List
This part sounds rather elementary, but it is essential. You need supplies, whether that’s a refrigerator calendar, a nice notebook, some writing utensils, and a place to put them all that is easily visible and accessible. You need it in a spot that is easily recognizable, both so you can remind yourself of the tasks at hand, and so you won’t get distracted or be able to forget its location or importance in the future. It will be a constant reminder of what needs to be done, and what has been done, throughout the day to get and stay as organized as possible.
Once you have that handled, it’s time to actually formulate the items on your list. What rooms need the most attention? What items need to be put away? Where are they stored? Are there tasks that require outside help, such as plumbing or electrical work? When it comes to organization, whatever needs doing should make it onto the list. You can separate the tasks by day, by room, or a mixture of both. Whatever best fits your needs and makes the most sense for you. You can start small, with just a few tasks a day, or load them onto the weekend, having a weekend reset stuffed with organizational tasks. At the end of the day, the list should work for you, not against you.
When to Work On Your List
One of the questions that ultimately comes up with these things is, when do I actually have time to get this done? Well, that really depends on you. You need to find time during your week when you have an, perhaps two, to truly make a concerted effort and organize your space. This means filling the appropriate drawers, cupboards, and cabinets with the items that belong there. If you can perform your to-do list over the course of a weekend, or a few days, then you can spend smaller increments of time — perhaps 30-45 minutes — doing what you can to mark items off that list, before going back to it the next day. Find a time that works for you, and stick with it. The results will speak for themselves.
Conclusion
Telling yourself you need to pick up around the house and get organized is one thing, but having a system in place to do so is another. When you do things regularly, they become a habit, which is why systems are so important. The longer you stick with it, the easier it will get, and the more organized and decluttered your home will be. If you are interested in other lifestyle, wellness, or mindfulness topics, then make sure to check out our other blogs for more!
