Since I started working from home back in 2015, it’s been even more important for me to stay organized. If I didn’t, I’d feel like I’d never get anything done because everything would be all over the place.
But maybe you aren’t the same way… Maybe you’ve been struggling to get organized. And perhaps you’re even a little envious of those who are.
If that’s the case, I have some tips to help you out! In this post, I’m sharing seven habits of organized people so you can adopt them for yourself.
7 Habits of Organized People
Ready to tidy up your life? By adopting these habits of organized people, you’ll be able to get things in order and ensure each day goes much more smoothly. You won’t want to go back to your old ways again!
1. They Set Deadlines
If you want to get things done in a timely fashion and get your life in order, you need to set deadlines. This is especially important when you work for yourself because you’ll find you have a variety of tasks that don’t necessarily have a fixed deadline.
But without a set timeframe, you’re more likely to push those tasks to the bottom of your to-do list.
Set deadlines for yourself and schedule ample time to finish your projects so there’s no stress involved. No more rushing to get things done at the last minute.
For more advice on scheduling your days and setting deadlines, read my post on How to Plan Your Week.
2. They Use Tools to Get the Job Done
One of the habits of organized people is that they have tools and systems in place to help get things done. After all, there’s nothing wrong with relying on a few handy tools to keep you on track. If you don’t already have go-to tools to assist you, now is the time to try some out. You want to have a place to record your to-do list, any ideas that come to mind, and all those important dates.
My favorite tools include:
- Evernote: If you haven’t used it before, Evernote is basically a digital notebook. I have specific notebooks for various tasks and projects within my business. It allows me to keep everything organized with ease. Read my post on Evernote to learn more about how I use it.
- Trello: I use Trello* to plan out larger projects and to track their progress. However, it’s also how I plan my week out in advance. I create a new card for each day and record morning and afternoon tasks. *(affiliate link)
- Erin Condren LifePlanner: For a paper planner, my go-to is Erin Condren. I love to record things in my planner and it’s easy to take with me if needed. If you’re thinking about buying one, check out my review here.
3. They Write Everything Down
If you’re ready to step-up your organization game, create a place where you can record your most important information. You can do this with an app like Evernote or keep a small notebook with you. (Although, sometimes it’s nice to go back to writing things by hand! Just read this article from Inc. about the power of writing, not typing, your ideas.)
Jot down dates you don’t want to forget, ideas, and anything else you’d like to record for later. It doesn’t matter how great you think your memory is, it’s always better to write it down!
4. They Clear Out Clutter
Clutter in your home and in your workspace isn’t great for your mind. It actually makes it harder to stay focused when trying to work in a disorganized room that’s full of junk. That’s why one of the habits of organized people is that they keep things tidy.
If there’s an item in your line of view that isn’t where it’s supposed to be, put it away. If there’s something that’s no longer serving you, toss it or donate it.
Once you’re done cleaning, get into the habit of keeping things neat and tidy. A great habit you can adopt is to clean up your office at the end of the day. Put away the papers. Straighten things up and toss out any trash. You’ll feel much better coming into a clean office the next morning.
5. They Give Everything a Home
This tip goes along with the previous one about clearing out clutter. To keep your life organized, everything needs to have a home. And it should be stored in its home when you’re not using it.
Without a system in place, you’ll end up with a cluttered, disorganized mess. But if you keep things tidy, you’ll never again waste time searching for something.
6.They Focus on One Task at a Time
Do you find that you’re always attempting to multi-task? If so, you need to stop! Instead, you should focus on one thing at a time.
Multi-tasking can often lead to confusion and stress, plus it actually limits your productivity. One of the habits of organized people is that they direct their attention to one thing instead of jumping back and forth. By focusing on the task at hand, you’re able to get your work done with ease.
7. They Practice Maintenance
And finally, if you don’t actively practice these habits, you’ll start to slip-up. While it’s fine to make a mistake here and there, you always need to get right back on track.
Don’t let your papers pile up, saying you’ll sort them out later. Stop telling yourself you’ll do something later because odds are, you won’t actually get to it. Practicing maintenance ensures you’re making progress when it comes to adopting these habits of organized people.