Organized and Established: The Three Step Formula

This month is National Get Organized Month, and many people feel motivated to get things in order. But what does it really take to stay on track for the new year? Is your GOAL really to get organized? We are going to spend some time over the next few posts learning the three steps to getting established and organized. So here they are in summary, and today we will discuss the first step:

1. Establish Processes

2. Establish Your Priorities

3. Establish Your Projects

Believe it or not, the first step is actually enough to keep us pretty organized in and of itself! The key here is to apply proven processes to as many things as possible, so our daily routines are essentially automated, and easily duplicated! The following questions will help you think of some areas you can establish processes:

-Where are your keys?

-What day do you usually vacuum?

-What's for supper?

-How long does it usually take you to get ready for the day/to go?

If you have just groaned at these basic questions, THESE are you most important "organizing projects," so start with these processes!

Put up a nail or put out a decorative bowl for the keys, and practice putting them there when you walk in the door, even if the phone is ringing, your hands are full, you are exhausted, or the baby is fussing. Choose a day on which to vacuum and stick with it until you figure which day would actually be better! Decide what's for supper and plan to have the same thing on the same day next week. Time yourself getting ready, and set your alarm to reflect at least that much time, if not more! Commit to automating these basic things, and you are going to start seeing more emotional energy and creativity for those daunting organizing projects!

You know how there are some things that you just never forget how to do, even if you haven't done them in a while? Some examples might be riding a bike, or diving. Once that SKILL has been established, you know how it FEELS, and you can do it over and over again even if it's been a while, right!? Automating your processes is just like that, and is where you MUST start to truly be organized and established.

Next time, we will look at the second step: Establishing your priorities!