Busy Girl's Guide to Staying Organized - 5 Tips
I’ve always been a busy bee…downtime feels like wasted time for me. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve tried to slow down and prioritize the quiet moments but staying productive is still mega important. In the whirlwind of today’s fast-paced society, staying organized can feel like an elusive goal. I’m no expert but wanted to jot down a few ideas to help with anyone struggling to find balance in their life.
Use an Organizer:
My organizational hero is Lauren Bosstick from The Skinny Confidential blog. She has her shit down to a science! She recently put out an organizer: Can I Get A Fucking Minute and it is truly the one and only organizer I’ve ever encountered that I’m obsessed with. I’ve always struggled to truly use them after purchase but hers has everything laid out for optimal daily success. Purchase this and use it. It helps I promise!!
2. Set Yourself Up For Success:
Planning ahead is helpful in any arena of life. I try to put our dinners/groceries together every weekend to set myself up for the week ahead. By doing this, i’m way more likely to stick to the plan and use what I have rather than grabbing Chick-Fil-A on the way home. Plus there is nothing worse than finishing a long day of work and having to plan (a healthy) dinner from scratch at 6:30pm..forget it. This is the notepad I use to prep our meals and groceries:
3. Don’t Let the To-Do List Get Too Long:
It can be overwhelming when you look at a to-do list and it’s a mile long…where to begin?! Instead, try prioritizing 3 - 5 things for your day. If you get those done you can move onto others, but by picking just a few things to tackle, you’re far more likely to accomplish (and feel accomplished).
4. Learn To Say NO:
I love the concept of “If it’s not a HELL YES, then it’s a no”. When I was younger I said ‘yes’ to EVERYTHING and EVERYONE. And it’s okay to have a period in life where you’re non-stop, but it will catch up with you. You’ve got to prioritize your own health and well being. I love a concept I heard from Rachel Hollis: Think of yourself like a vase, if you’re constantly pouring your water out to help others around you, you’re left with no water. If you take care of yourself and fill your vase up with water, it will naturally overflow to those around you taking care of everyone. Take care of yourself, it’s okay to say no to people! If someone is offended by this, they probably don’t have your best interest at heart either.
5. Time Block:
I also learned about this from Lauren Bosstick. Want to get shit done in a certain amount of time? Put ALL things away (devices & distractions). Set a timer for 1 hour (or whatever time frame you have), solely focus on the task at hand, the ONE AND ONLY task. Nothing else. By blocking out an hour on your calendar to do X task, you prioritize the thing you need to get done, instead of getting pulled in 10 directions and maybe, someday finishing the task that you could’ve done in an hour if you just sat down and focused.
Staying organized as a busy girl is NOT about perfection, it’s about finding a rhythm and things that work for you. I’ve tried a ton of things and miserably failed at them. They weren’t for me. Try to pick up on the things that seem to help you stay balanced. Don’t forget to take time for yourself too!! Remember, taking care of yourself is the only way to help those around you. Give yourself a break and know that we’re all just trying to do our best around here!
