How to Stay Organized and Set Priorities Without Having to Put in 12 Hours a Day

Staying organized is becoming increasingly important in a time where people seem to be busy on most days. There’s always so much to do, but keeping things organized and prioritized can make it much easier to get everything done without a significant level of stress.

Whether a person is used to being organized or they’re just finding that they need to be better at it, there are tips and tricks they can use to develop and retain good organizational skills. These skills are good for the working environment, but they can also be used at home in order to make things easier and get more done.

1. Try Out Organizational Tools That Can Help

Need to be organized? There’s an app for that! Actually, there are several apps for that, because organization is something most people need but a lot of people really aren’t used to or that good at on their own.

Trying out an app that can help is a great way to see where organizational skills are lacking and what kind of help is needed.

Additionally, there are software programs and digital calendars people can try out, too. Not every option is a good one for every person, which is why there are so many different choices.

Most apps and programs help people set reminders, keep things on track, and list out priorities that need to be added to a calendar or even handled right away.

By having these organizational tools, getting and staying organized can be easier. It can also be easier to set priorities, and to accomplish more in the day without having to spend more time.

The old adage of working smarter and not harder applies here, since putting in 12-hour days isn’t any fun and there are far better ways than that to get things accomplished.

2. Organization On Paper Translates Well to Digital Choices

A lot of people write down their priorities and list out what they need to do in order to stay organized. People who have been doing this for a while are used to their method, but that method usually transfers over to digital options and apps quite easily.

The best apps are the ones that a person will actually use, and that are intuitive when entering information. Apps come and go, as well, so it’s best to find one that is popular and well-established. That will keep the chances of that app sticking around high, so switching to another app later probably won’t be necessary.

3. Setting Priorities and Organizing Takes Some Time, Initially

Even for people who are really sure where they’re going in life and who have good plans for all the things they want to get done, taking time to organize and prioritize can be important. Setting a time to do that is the first step.

Every day before work, for example, take 15 or 20 minutes to review tasks and priorities for the day, and take note of what needs to get done. Looking at the rest of the week can also help with staying on track, because getting behind on one day can mean playing catch-up on other days.

Knowing what to work on first is one of the ways to avoid that back-up of tasks.

4. Priorities and Goals Aren’t Just for the Working World

When people try to get organized and set priorities, they mainly focus on what they have to do at work. While that can be very important, it’s not the only thing to take a look at. Instead, it’s also important to prioritize personal goals and plans, as well. There should be priorities in someone’s personal life, such as things they want to do that day, that week, or even well into the future.

Having a list on the refrigerator, on a home computer’s desktop, in a planner that gets used every day, or in a number of other places can be a good way to keep things at the forefront of the mind each day.

Review that list of priorities every morning, and cross off the items that have been completed. The list should shrink over time, but there will also be new things that get added to it as new priorities develop and new ideas become important.

For example, a person might decide that they want a part-time job now that their children are in school all day, or they may want to go back to college in their later years because they want a better job or they just love to learn.

Priorities can change over time, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The key is to make sure that what’s important is really being prioritized, and then staying organized in order to work toward seeing those priorities come to pass.

5. Write Down Your Life Goals as Part of a Bucket List

One of the best ways to organize your life goals is by writing them down as part of a bucket list. Instead of thinking of this as just another to-do list in your life, think about it more as a wish list for your life. What are some things you would hate to miss out on in life? Taking the time to jot down life goals is just the motivational kick some people need. Just remember not to be too hard on yourself if you don’t end up checking off every single item.

Not sure where to start? These downloadable bucket lists offer 150 ideas, from traveling to getting healthy to leveling up in your career.