My Top 5 Tips for Staying Organized

With so much going on in my life, it can be difficult some weeks to keep it all together.

In any given week, I might need to help a client create a book outline, edit a client's manuscript, send proposals to multiple prospects, review book cover options for a client, update my business automations, or meet with team members.?

That doesn’t even include personal errands, calls with my business coach, exercise, chats with my girlfriends, quality time with my sweetie, workout, and that sometimes elusive activity called rest.?

With all of that, you might wonder how I keep all of my projects straight and still manage to enjoy my life.?

Here are a few tips I use to keep from getting scatter-brained:

Prepare: Someone once said that “Success happens when preparation meets opportunity.” When I play that quote over in my mind, I’m inspired to make time to prepare for the upcoming week so when unanticipated things come up (and they often do), I’m prepared for all of the usual items and can better manage the unexpected ones. For example, designate one day to consider your wardrobe, meal plans, meetings, presentations, documents, follow-up calls, and other items you know are a part of your week. Prepare what you can for these activities so you don’t have to waste time thinking about it later.

Clear the clutter: I’m what many people would call a neat freak. I’m baffled that neat people are called freaks when it’s the messy ones who seem totally freaked out to me. That said, your surroundings--car, home, office--are a direct reflection of what’s happening between your ears. When your mind is cluttered and confused, so will your environment be. Getting your surroundings as clear as possible can do wonders for helping you think more clearly.

Find a place: Looking for things is one of the biggest time wasters I can think of. I like to have everything in a designated place so I don’t waste time looking for items. Review your living and work spaces and take time to designate a place for items. Clothes belong in the closet or drawer, not in a pile near the door. Papers belong in file folders or notebooks, not in a stack atop the desk or the kitchen counter. Make a place for your keys, wallet, purse, glasses, cell phone, and other often-used items and place them there when not in use so you’ll know where to find them when you need them.

Systematize and Automate: There are certain activities that I do regularly. I’ve found that having a system saves time and eliminates the frustration of re-doing things. I have systems for placing follow-up calls, emailing new contacts, scheduling meetings, and several other tasks. Think about the activities you do regularly that could be systematized or automated Write down the order in which a particular task should be done ideally for optimal efficiency and results, and practice doing it that way each time.

Please don’t get the idea that every week is perfectly organized and flows smoothly for me.?

There are times when I have so many projects to manage that I want to scream, “Calgon, take me away!”?

However, when I take a breath and regroup to practice the above five activities, I find life to be much more manageable.

Anita R. Henderson - The Author's MidwifeAuthor Coach & Book Publishing Strategist. Turning high achievers into bestselling, award-winning authors.

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