Welcome to Mission #20 of our 52 Get Organized Missions.
One of the best things you can do to feel organized throughout your day is to prepare well the night before. So in this mission we’ll create your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine.
If you’ve completed the previous mission (Get Organized Mission #19: Organize Your office), congratulations.
You’ll absolutely love the difference completing this mission will make to your daily stress management, time management, and home organization.
Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here: 52 Organizing Missions.
Get Organized Mission #20: Create Your Organized Life Bedtime Routine
Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each night
I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Take it with you every night as you complete and check off each item.
Include things that will make your mornings calmer and your days better organized, such as:
Tidy
- Do an express tidy and put away books, remotes, toys, etc
- Give surfaces a quick wipe-down
- Use a hand-vac to get rid of crumbs around food areas
- Put dirty clothes and linen in the laundry hamper
- Put clean clothes back in the closet
Organize morning zones for tomorrow
- Load and turn on the dishwasher
- Set the table for breakfast
- Fill the coffee maker
- Check supplies of milk, cereal, etc
- Check towels in the bathroom
Prepare for tomorrow
- Choose your outfit – including shoes and accessories
- Check your diary, the family calendar, the kids’ school schedule – so there are no surprises in the morning
- Get together any special items you or the kids need – like files for a meeting or permission notes for a field trip
- Pack your briefcase, satchel or purse
- Set the alarm, allowing enough time to get ready and to be on time without having to rush
Do a brain dump
- Make a list of things for tomorrow’s attention
Get bed-ready
- Brush and floss your teeth, wash your face, grab your teddy-bear and do whatever else you need to do before popping into bed.
Step 2: Time yourself tonight
Tonight, complete your Organized Life Bedtime Routine and take note of how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow each night.
Step 3: Do your Organized Life Bedtime Routine every night!
Every night, get out your Organized Life Bedtime Routine list – and follow it! Make it a habit.
Dos & Don’ts
- Don’t turn this into an nightly ordeal. Be quick and spritely. If you’re taking more than 20 – 30 minutes, you’re over-thinking it.
- Don’t feel you have to do it at bedtime. After dinner or any time during the evening is fine – as long as you make it a habit.
- Do remind yourself that the time you spend each night on this ritual will more than pay for itself in better personal organization, time management and stress reduction.
Extended Organizing Mission Options
Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?
- This is an excellent mission to share with the family. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills. Give them age-appropriate tasks in the Tidy (put away toys?) and Organize morning zones (set the table?) areas. Then add their regular bedtime steps, like packing bags and brushing teeth. It’ll be a big help to give them a printed copy of their personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine too.
Ready, Set, Go!
Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.
Before You Go – Please Check In
Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.
And see you back here next week!
Did You Know
You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.
[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocokelley/ / CC BY 2.0]
I’ve ‘organised my clutter’, it does help, to then to get rid of it, quicker!
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Done!
done, some good suggestions for my existing routine
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Done!
Done.
Done — great suggestions.
hi, I jumped a few tasks to get to this one just because I despreately need to create some order in my life, I have my list i am starting tonight
This is a very relaxing time….preparing for bed…..it sets the tone for a good nites rest!
Done. Not too bad! If I can just keep up on it, which I think I can 🙂
Done. Not too bad! If I can just keep up on it, which I think I can 🙂
That’s awesome, Manola! So glad to hear it. :))
That’s awesome, Manola! So glad to hear it. :))
Done. I can’t believe how much I have achieved. Thank you for the regular prompts. 🙂
Done. I can’t believe how much I have achieved. Thank you for the regular prompts. 🙂