Skip to Content

10 Great Organisation Habits to Help You Stay Organised in Life

10 Great Organisation Habits to Help You Stay Organised in Life

Life feeling busy and complicated? Try these 10 great organisation habits to help you stay organised in life, cut your stress and boost your spirits.

ORGANISED INSTEAD OF OVERWHELMED

Let’s face it – life can feel chaotic sometimes. Between work, family, friends, and everything else, it’s easy to feel like things are slipping out of control. But the secret to managing all the chaos? Good organisation habits. Having a few solid habits in place can make a world of difference, helping you stay on top of your To Do lists, keep your home tidy, and generally feel more in control.

Don’t worry, though – being organised doesn’t mean you need to become a neat freak or spend hours sorting through every little thing. It’s about finding small, manageable ways to keep things flowing smoothly so that life feels a little less stressful. Think of it like giving your life a tune-up! Sound like something you might need? If so, let’s get you organised…

10 ORGANISATION HABITS TO HELP LIFE FEEL EASIER

In this article I’m sharing my favourite 10 organisation habits that can help you stay on track, without feeling overwhelmed.

1. Write It Down

First things first, get it out of your head and onto paper (or your phone). I can’t stress this enough – one of the easiest ways to stay organised is to write things down. Whether it’s a task you need to do, an appointment you need to remember, or a random idea that pops into your head, writing it down takes the pressure off your brain.

You don’t have to keep everything in your head, which is exhausting and often leads to forgetting things. Instead, try keeping a notebook or a To Do list app handy so you can jot down tasks and reminders as soon as they come to mind.

For example, I keep a simple notebook on my kitchen counter where I scribble anything I think of throughout the day. You could also use the notes app on your phone – whatever works for you. The point is, once it’s written down, you won’t have to worry about it, and you can focus on actually getting things done.

2. The Two-Minute Rule

This is one of my favourite habits, and it’s so simple. If a task takes less than two minutes to do, just do it straight away. It’s amazing how much clutter and small tasks can pile up just because we put them off. But if it only takes a couple of minutes,  the time it takes to boil the kettle for a cup of tea,it’s often quicker to just do it now than to add it to your To Do list for later.

For example, if you’ve just made a cup of tea and there’s an empty mug on the table, it takes less than two minutes to pop it in the dishwasher. Done! Or if you receive an email that only needs a quick response, reply immediately rather than letting it linger in your inbox.

The two-minute rule helps stop those little tasks from building up and becoming overwhelming. Plus, it gives you a sense of achievement – you’re constantly ticking off small things throughout the day, which keeps you motivated.

10 Great Organisation Habits

3. Make a Daily To Do List

I know this sounds obvious, but you’d be amazed at how many people skip this step. Having a daily To Do list is one of the best ways to stay organised because it gives your day structure.

Start each morning (or even the night before) by writing down the tasks you need to complete. Be realistic – don’t overload yourself with a never-ending list of things to do. Instead, focus on the top three to five tasks that you must get done that day. If you finish them, great! You can then tackle other things if you have time. But this way, you’ll always feel like you’re making progress.

For example, if you know you’ve got a big work project, school run, and an appointment at the dentist, focus on those tasks first. Everything else is a bonus. Plus, the satisfaction of ticking things off your list is so motivating!

4. Declutter Regularly

Clutter is one of the biggest enemies of staying organised. It’s not just about having a tidy home or workspace – clutter can actually make it harder to think clearly and stay focused. That’s why a regular decluttering session is such a great habit to get into.

You don’t need to do a massive clear-out every weekend. Instead, aim for smaller, more frequent decluttering sessions. Set a timer for 10 or 15 minutes and tackle one area at a time. It could be decluttering a drawer, a shelf, or your wardrobe. The key is to do it regularly so that things don’t start to pile up.

For example, every few weeks, I go through my bathroom cupboard to throw out old products I’m not using. Or I’ll spend 10 minutes going through my kitchen drawers, often whilst I’m cooking dinner, to clear out anything broken or unnecessary. It’s quick, it’s easy, and it keeps things under control.

10 Great Organisation Habits

5. Create a “Home” for Everything

One of the best ways to stay organised is to have a specific place for everything. When you know where things belong, it’s much easier to keep things tidy and find what you need without stress.

For example, if you have a dedicated spot for your keys by the door, you’ll never waste time frantically searching for them in the morning. Or if you always keep your remote controls in the same drawer, they won’t end up scattered across the living room.

The trick is to assign a “home” for every item you regularly use, whether it’s your shoes, phone charger, or kitchen gadgets. That way, when you’re done using something, it goes straight back to its home – no clutter, no chaos.

6. Plan Ahead

A bit of forward planning can do wonders for staying organised. Taking a few minutes each day to plan ahead can save you loads of time and stress in the long run.

For example, every Sunday, I like to plan my week ahead. I look at what appointments or meetings I have, write a shopping list for the week, and think about what meals I’ll cook. This helps me avoid the last-minute scramble for groceries or trying to figure out what to eat when I’m tired after work.

You can also apply this habit on a smaller scale, like planning your outfit the night before, prepping your lunch in advance, or packing your bag before bed. These small steps help you start your day feeling prepared and in control.

7. Batch Similar Tasks Together

Ever noticed how switching between different types of tasks can slow you down? One good habit to stay organised is to batch similar tasks together. This helps you stay focused and work more efficiently.

For example, instead of checking your emails throughout the day, set aside specific times to deal with them all at once. Or, if you need to run errands, try to do them all in one go rather than spreading them out over the week. The same goes for chores – if you need to do laundry, fold clothes, and put them away, do it all in one go instead of spreading it out.

By batching similar tasks together, you’ll find that you’re able to get through them much faster and with less mental effort.

10 Great Organisation Habits

8. Use a Calendar or Planner

A calendar or planner is essential for keeping track of appointments, deadlines, and events. Whether you prefer a physical planner or a digital one, having a system to keep track of your schedule is crucial for staying organised.

I personally love using a paper planner where I can write down appointments, To Do lists, and important dates all in one place. But if you’re more of a digital person, apps like Google Calendar can be a lifesaver, especially with reminders and syncing across devices.

You might like to take at the Simple Productivity Workbook and Planner available in my shop.

The key is to make a habit of regularly checking and updating your calendar. This ensures that nothing sneaks up on you, and you can plan your time effectively.

9. Automate Where You Can

In today’s world, there are so many tools and apps that can help automate repetitive tasks and keep you organised with minimal effort. For example, set up direct debits for your bills, so you never miss a payment. Or use apps like Evernote to store notes, to-do lists, and important documents all in one place.

You can also automate things like grocery shopping by setting up a recurring delivery for your essentials. The less you have to manually manage, the more brainpower you’ll have for other important things.

10. Review and Reflect Regularly

The last habit is to review and reflect on how you’re doing regularly. Staying organised isn’t about being perfect – it’s about finding what works for you and adjusting as needed. Every so often, take a moment to assess how well your current organisation habits are serving you.

Is your To Do list system working, or does it need tweaking? Is there an area in your home or life that feels a bit chaotic again? Regularly checking in with yourself will help you stay on top of things and make improvements where needed.

10 Great Organisation Habits

CONCLUSION

Being organised doesn’t have to be complicated or stressful. By building a few simple habits into your routine – like writing things down, using the two-minute rule, decluttering regularly, and planning ahead – you can create a system that works for you.

The key is to start small and stay consistent. Don’t feel like you need to overhaul your entire life overnight. Just focus on one or two habits at a time, and before you know it, you’ll be staying organised without even thinking about it! Life’s always going to have its ups and downs, but with these good organisation habits, you’ll be ready to handle whatever comes your way.

Do you struggle with staying organised? Or, have you got any other organisation tips to add to this list? I’d love to hear from you so please leave a comment at the end of the article!

Laura

Sunday 20th of October 2024

Although you'd never know it by looking at my suite, I love being organized. The key is definitely to declutter first, which I'm managing...slowly. I'm combining decluttering with the container concept, which you also wrote about this week.

I've also learned that I like my things to be hidden, and organized in "macro" baskets (large categories). Some people like visual systems with everything out, and/or very detailed organization methods. But I need a system that's fast and simple, and doesn't make my ADHD brain have to look at tons of items everywhere! Bare spaces for me.

Thanks for these great tips, Antonia. I'll get the hang of this organized thing yet!

Balance Through Simplicity

Sunday 20th of October 2024

Yes Laura, some people love micro-organising, for others it's way too overwhelming and complicated. As with all decluttering and organising, it's about finding a strategy that works for you. Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!