The new year is coming quicker than we're ready for it, and that can often lead to stress and pressure for many people. New Year's resolutions, busy schedules and new semesters at school are just a few of the things that can hinder your organization. However, there are certain things that are easy enough for anyone to do to ensure you stay organized this year.
1. Get a planner.
This seems like such an obvious piece of advice, but you would be surprised how much difference a planner can make if you don’t already have one. It will be the Bible to your organization if you use it correctly.
2. Never go anywhere without said planner.
The whole point of having a planner is to keep track of every activity and responsibility you have, so it is important that you always have your companion on hand wherever you are. A planner will lose its helpfulness if you leave it tucked away at home in your desk while you're off living your busy schedule.
3. Write everything down.
I have taken to writing even the smallest details down so I remember them. You can write things down in your planner, on Post-Its, on your arm — really, it doesn't matter where, as long as it helps you remember what you need to do and when you need to do it by.
4. Fill out your calendar in advance.
Waiting until the day before something is due to mark it on your calendar is about as efficient as doing it on the day it is actually due. If you know of something that is coming up, even if it is months in advance, make a note on your calendar. That way you can visually see how your next few days/weeks/months will be like — and you won’t double book your time.
5. Use your calendar to refrain from over-scheduling yourself.
If a week on your calendar is looking particularly brutal, try to keep a few days open the next week for time for yourself. No one likes being stressed to the max for long periods of time, and you’ll thank yourself later if you give yourself even just an afternoon off.
6. Color code your schedule.
The oldest trick in the book: use a different color for each type of activity. Got a work meeting coming up? Write it in red. A lunch date with your friend? Write it in blue. The most important part about this tip is to be consistent. If work means red, then work and only work most remain red to save yourself confusion in the future.
7. Do not wait until the last minute to get something done.
Often this is easier said than done, but imagine that feeling of relief you will get when you start your ten page paper two weeks before it is due. You never know what might pop up in the final days before that nasty due date approaches, and it never hurts to be one step ahead of yourself. The smallest about of progress whenever you have some free time will alleviate the pressure of that last minute cramming.
8. Prioritize.
Sometimes there will be days that we cannot get everything done in a 24-hour period no matter how hard we try. Organizing your sock drawer might sometimes need to take a backseat to the deadline you have to meet the next day. Consider what needs to be done first and what is most important to you when making priority decisions.
9. Limit the amount of commitments you make.
If you're the type of person that wants to do everything and have a busy schedule to flaunt to all of your friends, beware of stretching yourself thin. Sometimes it is not possible to say yes to everyone and to do everything — and sometimes a full schedule will not even allow it. Instead of agreeing to do something and later realizing you are going to struggle to get it done, do not make the commitment in the first place.
9. Get yourself ready the night before you have to go somewhere.
If you need to be at school at eight in the morning, you can save yourself from being an unorganized mess in the morning by gathering everything you need before you go to bed the night prior. Put all your books in your bag, lay out your outfit for the morning, check your fridge for breakfast options — anything you need to do to keep yourself from running around your house crazily the next day in a rush.
10. Never keep a dirty environment.
A major downfall of a hectic lifestyle is that our surroundings will often take a heavy beating. Personally, my room is a mess after I’m done getting ready for the day — which is a huge burden when I get home and have to clean up the debris from my morning routine. Clean up after yourself as soon as you make a mess so that it doesn't build up. Hang up the shirt you decided last minute not to wear. Put away that book you don’t actually need for class. Make your bed so it’s not a crumpled mess when you come home exhausted.
11. Get the right amount of sleep.
Once you see your freshly made bed calling your name at the end of the day, everything will feel right in the world. It is important not to skimp on sleep because you will never get anything done if you're walking around like a sleep-deprived zombie. While at the moment it might feel like the right decision to stay up late to finish that assignment, the next morning you will feel the consequences if you don't catch enough Z's.
12. Utilize alarms to keep you on track.
I have found that alarms are the best way to control my schedule. I use the clock app on my phone to keep me from spending two hours on something that I only need an hour to do. With a ticking personal deadline forcing me to focus, I don’t use more time than I actually need on anything.
13. Stay away from social media when you need to get work done.
My biggest foe when it comes to staying on track is usually social media. It’s not uncommon that I find myself scrolling through Instagram when I should be reading for class or watching videos on Facebook instead of getting ready for work. Turn that phone off if you know you can be easily distracted, as just a few minutes on Twitter can cost you valuable time.
14. Reward yourself along the way.
A good practice to make sure you are doing what you're supposed to is giving yourself little incentives to motivate you. Maybe it’s a ten minute break to catch up on what you missed on social media after studying for an hour. Maybe it’s a piece of chocolate once you finally cleaned your room. Little rewards once you’ve accomplished a task are good ways to keep yourself going through responsibilities that are dull and unappealing.
15. Stick to a daily routine.
If possible, stick to the same general schedule every day. Wake up at the same time, get ready in the same timeframe, spend the same amount of hours on work at home in the evening. Once it becomes a habit for you, it will be easier to stay organized as long as you know what you have to do and when you have to do it.
16. Remain true to your word.
Lastly, it is important for your word to have truth behind it. If you make a commitment to someone, always follow through. If you tell yourself you need to get that paper done today, get it done today. False promises and flaky motivation will lead to disorganization and stress every time. Never overextend yourself and always stay positive about the task at hand. That way, your schedule will not seem intimidating; instead it will be the key to a successful 2016.
