Staying organised can seem like an impossible task. Especially when we are forced to work/study from home and all the days look the same. With the start of the new year, many of us have probably set the intention to be more organised or, in other words, “get our shit together”. This doesn’t happen overnight, unfortunately. There are, however, some simple ways to make staying organised a little bit easier. I hope you find these tips useful and let me know what you like to do to stay on top of things in the comments below!
Use a(n online) calendar
A key part of being organised and staying on top of things is attending any appointments you may have. Writing these down in a planner that you carry with you all the time is crucial to making sure you don’t miss anything. I have always been a planner user, however, after a few weeks I would always end up forgetting to use the planner or leaving it at home or in a bag. If you are like me, or just forgetful, I strongly suggest using an online calendar.
I have found that Google Calendar has been the best. You can access it from any device, they have an easy-to-use app for your phone, you can create colour-coded calendars so you can very easily see what tasks correspond to uni/work/appointments, you can add events and appointments straight for your email, get reminders before an event and much, much more. I cannot recommend Google Calendar enough!
Make a to-do list
I think that I have mentioned to-do lists in every single post I wrote that has something to do with organisation. That is because to-do lists are one of the best ways to stay organised. Writing down what you need to do helps you prioritise as well as feel less overwhelmed and it ensures that you don’t forget something important - which tends to happen especially when you are busy or stressed out.
You can buy yourself a dedicated to-do list notepad, use any old notebook you have at home or create online to-do lists using Google Keep, for example. As I’ve just mentioned, I’m a huge fan of Google Calendar and Google Keep works hand-in-hand with it. It allows you to create lists (not just to-do lists) and you can access them from any device - which is particularly handy for someone like me who is always working from different places and different devices.
Plan your day/week in advance
Staying organised takes a bit of effort. But the time you spend planning will end up giving you more time in the end. You won’t waste hours trying to figure out what needs to be done next and it will make procrastinating less appealing because rather than saying “I’ll start this later”, you’ll be saying to yourself “hmm I really should be doing that instead of watching another episode”. The point is not to guilt-trip yourself when you need to take a breather but, rather, it’s to help you hold yourself accountable.
Block out your time
You might be familiar with time blocking. If you aren’t, it’s all about creating blocks dedicated to different tasks and activities that are used to break up each day (or week). It’s a technique to help you manage your time and set yourself a certain amount for each task. For example, if you have 3 projects that need your attention but they all vary in size, your week might have more blocks dedicated to the biggest project and fewer for the smallest one.
For this to be as effective as possible, try to colour-code the blocks where you can. That way you will keep your calendar very clear and easy to read: one quick glance and you’ll know what needs to be done. This is very easy to do on virtual calendars. If you prefer paper ones, try using highlighters or colourful post-it notes. Try to stick to the times and don’t go over or else you will have less time to do other tasks. You’ll end up trying to make up for lost time. Instead, if you need more time for a task, add a new block for it the next day.
Keep your space clean
As you have probably heard before, having a cluttered space can lead to a cluttered mind. Make sure that your workspace is clean, tidy and not cluttered with things you don’t need. Try to take whatever you don’t need away from your desk. This will help with being distracted.
Speaking of distractions, try to keep these to a minimum when you are trying to do work. Put your phone on silent or “do not disturb”, turn off email notifications if you have to and ask people you live with not to distract you. When working from home, there is also a whole other range of distractions: chores. There’s always some dishes to clean or some clothes to wash. Try to block out time for these tasks so that you aren’t tempted to get up in the middle of your work session to put on that wash you’ve been meaning to do.
Feed your body
Contrary to popular belief, sitting at a desk all day and doing work is exercise as well. Not the same kind as going for a walk or doing a workout, but your brain needs fuel to work. Make sure that you take breaks and have proper meals. Having a bottle of water by your side the whole time will also encourage you to stay hydrated.
Try to avoid snacks that won’t do you any good. They will only make you feel sluggish. If you can’t resist a bit of chocolate in the afternoon, then have some. It’s all about balance. If you can, make sure your meals are nourishing. Avoid eating a sandwich and crisps or takeout every single day. If you can, prep your meals in advance so you can just heat a portion up on your lunch break. Have your lunch away from your desk to give your brain a proper break. It will help you come back to your desk refreshed and ready to do more work.
Recharge your batteries
You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you don’t allow yourself to rest and recharge, you won’t be able to do your work properly. If 2020 has shown us anything, it’s just how important self-care is. So take some time for yourself every day: do some journaling, meditating, have a cup of tea while looking out the window, read a chapter of a book, cook a meal from scratch, do anything that makes you feel good and relaxed. The more you invest in yourself and your wellbeing, the more you will be able to achieve.
Get some fresh air
Go for a walk every day. Even if you don’t have much time on your hands, spare 20 minutes to just get some fresh air. If you have got the time, go for a longer walk. Don’t worry too much about counting your steps but get outside every day. It will help you clear your mind, it will make falling asleep easier and your body will thank you for the fresh oxygen. While you’re out there, take some time to look around and appreciate what is around you.
Work smarter, not harder
Working smarter is all about making the most of your time and being as efficient as possible. Working hard means spending 45 hours a week in the office, working smarter means getting the same amount done in 35 hours (this is an example). To work smarter, find ways to manage and save time.
You might want to grab the phone and call your client for 20 minutes rather than send emails back and forth for 2 days. If you’ve got a plumber coming to your house to fix something, rather than sit there and have to catch up on work later, see if you can work from home for the day. If you have a lot of readings to do for university, find out the best way to quickly read academic journals and articles (your uni probably has some guidance on that or read this article).
There we have it. I hope you enjoyed Day 2 of “7 Days of Relatable Sunday” and I look forward to seeing you again tomorrow. Have a lovely day.
Yours truly,