In my earlier post I wrote about the importance of being organised (for kids mainly), but it appears that many adults are in just as much need when it comes to “how”. Here are a few tips for home, work and play for getting organised.

1) Create space. We have so much stuff that we hardly use and in the end our spaces of living end up being junkyards. So start with your house and pick a room that you occupy frequently such as the bedroom. Clear everything off your bedside table apart from that which you are using now. Make sure chargers are not on that table. It will ensure that your electronic devices stay out of your room. Then go to your cupboard and place all items that you don’t wear regularly into an “Op-shop” bag. Great freedom will result just from this. Then move to your bathroom, and clean out all cupboards and drawers of all things that you don’t use. Wow, that’s a great start. Similarly over a weekend or two, you can do the whole house. You will be amazed how much “stuff” has been accumulated.

2) Create systems for everything. You need to have a place where each item goes and this item can only end up in that place, nowhere else. Keys; wallet; bills to be paid;  bills paid;  nailcutters; school items such as caps, bathers, sports clothes; iPad and iPhone; Myki card; sunglasses; flyspray etc etc! I’m sure you get the picture. If the item is always kept in that same place, there is no way it can ever be misplaced or lost. Sounds a bit OCD, but it works!

3) Create more time. You can do this very simply by waking earlier than usual. Even 15 minutes earlier will make a difference. I wake at 5am most days and find that I get something useful done in between 5 and 6. It maybe yoga and meditation, running, or reading and blogging. You can even  “create” more time by getting things ready the night before. Your bag placed at the front of the house. Your shirt or dress ironed. Perhaps even making lunch and putting it in the fridge.

4) Create extreme efficiency! One of the best ways of getting super organised is with lists. You can do it on your smartphone or you can use an old-fashioned note pad or diary. Learn to prioritise ruthlessly. The most important tasks get done first. The rest comes later. There’s nothing more enjoyable than crossing off items from your list. A smartphone calendar enables you to list all your recurring activities and then you can add in appointments. This enables you to plan your day and week effectively.

5) Create happiness. Being happy is one of the easiest way of being organised. The happier you are, the more engaged you will be with everything you do. And the more engaged you are, the more aware you will be with all your tasks. Awareness automatically leads to organisation. How do you achieve happiness? You gotta find your way. It’s your birthright to be happy so don’t let anyone or anything stop you. It’s in your hands.

Have a think about each of these items. It doesn’t happen overnight. Give yourself a few weeks and you will notice an incredible difference in your life. Not only will you feel like you have more time, you will get a lot more done if you choose to.

In Health and Wellness.