New Year - New You
6 strategies to get more organized
When the new year arrives , many people focus on changes that can be implemented in the months of come . This time of year is a popular one to make resolutions to clean and organize homes and offices .
There are plenty of things that can use a little organizational attention . There ’ s no ideal way to get organized . Whatever works is a good approach , but the following are six strategies to help individuals clear the clutter . 1 . Utilize to-do lists People tend to be less productive when they ’ re storing all of their tasks in their brains . The first step to getting organized is to remove those plans from the head and put them down on paper or in some other tracking tool . A digital to-do list manager , for example , enables you to see all of your tasks , deadlines and due dates in one place so you can get things done more efficiently . Carry around a notepad or use the digital notes app on a phone to jot down thoughts and needs as they come up . 2 . Corral your “ smalls ” Smalls are keys , phones , chargers , wallets , headphones , and other accessories . When these items are grouped together , they ’ re easier to find so you can stay on track . Invest in an attractive organizer and install it by the front door or another high-traffic area . You ’ ll cut down on trying to find those smaller items when running errands . 3 . Conquer clutter regularly It ’ s easy to be put off by cleaning and organizing when clutter has gotten out of control . Instead , by cleaning up items on a daily or weekly basis , it ’ s much easier to keep ahead of clutter . Treat it like a daily job , including sorting mail and tossing unnecessary items ; emptying waste pails ; dusting the desk ; deleting emails ; and putting items back where they belong . 4 . Categorize emails Utilize the folder creation option from popular email providers to sort your messages . Drop messages that need attention into categories of your choosing , such as school , health and receipts . Then you ’ ll know which folder to go into when searching for what you need , eliminating the timeconsuming task of scrolling through a full inbox . 5 . Give one ; toss one When bringing new items into the home , follow the procedure of giving away or throwing out one item for each new item that is received or purchased . This can help to tame clutter .
6 . Mise en place your life
“ Mise en place ” is French for “ put in place .” It is used in the kitchen to refer to preparing and setting out all ingredients needed in a recipe . The same concept can be used elsewhere . Lay out clothing on the dresser for the next day at work or school . Prep the foyer of a home with items you need , like an umbrella , shoes and paperwork . Organize backpacks so they ’ re ready for the school day . Establish a to-go bag at work for items that need to be brought home .
Getting organized can be as simple as taking small steps that have lasting impact .
28 Greenville Life WINTER 2023