Top 5 Ways to Get Organized in 2024

Getting organized for the new year can set a positive tone and help you achieve your goals. Here are five top ways to get organized:

Set Clear Goals

Define your short-term and long-term goals for the year. Make them specific, measurable, achievable and relevant. Whether they are related to your career, health, personal development, or relationships, having clear goals will guide your actions and keep you focused. I like to break it down each month – what am I trying to accomplish – in January I usually do a health re-boot; February and March are intense work times; April I re-group and re-evaluate. I can lay out the entire year and focus on different things in different months.

Create a Planner or Calendar

Invest in a planner or use digital tools to organize your schedule. Mark important dates, deadlines, and events. Break down your goals into actionable steps and allocate time for each task. Regularly review and update your planner to stay on track. There are so many great Apps out there that help with planning and organization – I won’t even try to list them all here. Have some fun researching – there’s literally an App for everything!

Declutter Your Space

Start the year with a clean and organized living and working space. Decluttering can help reduce stress and improve productivity. Sort through your belongings, donate or discard items you no longer need, and organize your space in a way that makes it easy to find things. I am constantly de-cluttering, and I focus on my home office in December/January and the rest of my house afterward. I’ve learned a lot about how you can donate household items that are gently used and also how to get rid of high-quality clothes that are barely worn. I have never needed the business wardrobe I had pre-COVID and I have found good ways to make use of those business clothes.

Establish Routines

Develop daily, weekly, and monthly routines to create structure in your life. This can include morning and evening routines, weekly planning sessions, and regular reviews of your goals and progress. Routines provide stability and help you manage your time more effectively. Working from home full-time, I depend on my routines.

Prioritize Self-Care

Make self-care a priority in your life. This includes taking care of your physical and mental well-being. Schedule regular exercise, ensure you get enough sleep, and allocate time for activities that bring you joy and relaxation. When you prioritize self-care, you'll be better equipped to handle challenges and stay focused on your goals. I pay a little bit more to belong to a fancy gym, but it’s five minutes from my house and open 20 hours a day, so it’s worth it. I tend to not get there when I’m really busy with work, so I feel guilty paying for a membership that maybe in a month like March which is super busy, I might not use more than a few times. But it is worth it for all the other times that I CAN use it – it’s there and it’s close by!

Remember that getting organized is a continuous process, and it's okay to make adjustments to your plans as needed. Consistency and adaptability are key to maintaining organization throughout the year.