The following article is part of the “Getting Organized” series.
Now that we have considered some strategies for getting organized at work, let’s look at some quick ideas for organizing your personal life.
Use Lists to Stay Focused
Although many new time management experts argue against lists, I am still a huge fan of this “old school” tool.
I use lists virtually every day as a way to keep my mind open and free for other things. Anytime I think of something that needs to be done, I immediately “download” to the list. Then, later that day I make time to “upload” my daily list to my on-going lists that I usually manage on my computer.
You know the drill. Use lists to keep yourself on task.
Batch Routine Tasks
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again - batching tasks is perhaps the greatest time management tool for today’s world.
Here’s a sample list of some things I’ve found it useful to batch in my day-to-day life:
- Laundry
- Shopping
- Phone Calls
- Errands
- Online Tasks
- Mail/Email
I have also found it helpful to batch many things together - a batching of batches, if you will.
Maintain Your Calendars
The calendar is another classic time management tool that’s still in fashion. The only major change these days is most of us have three or four calendars to manage instead of just one.
Try your best to keep these synchronized while leaving each one to its own purpose.
Make Time to Relax and Have Fun
Of course, staying organized is ultimately about freeing up more of yourself and your time. You don’t want to turn into an automaton or anything, but planning to have fun and enjoy life isn’t a bad idea either.
Consider making a list of fun things you’d like to do and then look that list over when you have a free weekend. Trust me, once you start applying these principles on a regular basis, you’ll need something to do.
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