Updated Sep. 23, 2019. Originally posted Dec. 11, 2012.
Please scroll to the bottom of the post for a list of all posts in this series.
Why a Series on How to Organize Your Life?
Lately, I have really not been on top of things. You might have noticed my blogging has been sporadic. There are other issues, as well. We’ve missed the opportunity to attend several events, because the information never made it as far as my calendar. We missed an appointment because I wrote it down for the wrong week. I took a deposit slip to the bank along with a check I’d written to somebody, rather than the incoming check I needed to deposit. And email is piling up. I could go on, but hopefully you get the point. I need to organize my life!
Now, there are multiple factors that can come into play here. Doing too much (or, rather, trying to do too much) will, obviously, cause problems. And we’ve had issues a few times with the kids clearing off the table so they can “decorate” it, and somehow making important paperwork that was on the table permanently disappear. But the primary problem stems from something I’ve mentioned before: “getting organized” is not something you do once and then are done with; it’s an ongoing process.
Lives change, families grow, and schedules fluctuate — and our organizational needs change. If we don’t keep up with the changes by making constant adjustments, we find ourselves “disorganized” – as I do now. If many life changes have occurred within a fairly short period of time, we can find ourselves in the midst of a particularly large mess, as multiple systems break down all at once. But most of us have room for improvement, if it’s been a while since we re-evaluated things.
Where Am I Going With This?
You’re probably wondering why I’m telling you all this. Well, we all know that our “stuff” has to be organized. But there are a large number of categories of less-tangible things that need to be organized, too, and it’s usually these that throw us off when they’re not working smoothly for us. I know how to get these running; I just haven’t gone “back to the drawing board” in far too long, and since far too many life changes ago. Some of you may be in a similar boat.
So I thought that maybe we could help each other along by working through each category together. I can organize my life, and you can organize your life, side-by-side. (Well, the side-by-side is largely figurative.) Anyone interested?
Where to Start – With an Organization Inventory (a.k.a. Systems Reboot Inventory)
If you’d like to join me, let’s start here, with a life-evaluation. I have a list of categories that require organization. (You can download a printable worksheet version below.) For the most part, these aren’t “stuff” (household items); rather, they’re information, processes, systems, etc.
Chances are, you already have at least a few of these set up well. The more that are in breakdown mode (or, possibly, the more intrinsic to everyday life — like if your calendar is one of them), the more disorganized you probably feel. (I’m feeling the need to start almost entirely over.)
So step one is to go down the list and note which ones are working well, which ones aren’t working, and (if you like) which ones are mostly working but could use a little tweaking.
DOWNLOAD THE SYSTEMS REBOOT CHECKLIST
Don’t get overwhelmed, because we’re going to take them one at a time. And you may be pleasantly surprised to see that you are more organized than you think, and that there are just one or two areas that are giving you trouble.
If you plan to join us, I’d love to know by a “show of hands” in the comments section. (No need, though, to tell us how many areas you have that need work. Unless, of course, you want to. 😉 )
Posts in this series:
Getting Organized: Introduction (this post)
Getting Organized 1: Calendar & Appointments
Getting Organized 2: To -do Lists/Task Lists
Getting Organized 3: Household Cleaning/Maintenance Tasks
Getting Organized 4: Routines
Getting Organized 4: Routines – continued
— More About Laundry Day, Errand Day, & Kitchen Day
— More About Cleaning Day, Office Day, & Garden/Yard Day
Getting Organized 5: Projects
Getting Organized 6: Goals
Getting Organized 7: Recipes (part 1)
Getting Organized 8: Recipes (part 2)
Getting Organized 9: Meal Plans
Getting Organized 10: Groceries
Getting Organized 11: Food Prep
Getting Organized 12: Family Member Info
Getting Organized 13: Health Records
Getting Organized 14: Important Documents
Getting Organized 15: Home Inventory
Getting Organized 16: Warranties & Instructions/Manuals
Getting Organized 17: Want-to-Do Lists
Getting Organized 18: Random Ideas
Getting Organized 19: Storage
Getting Organized 20: Cards and Gifts
Getting Organized 21: Holiday Plans
Getting Organized 22: Gift Lists
Getting Organized 23: Vacation Plans
Getting Organized 24: Address Book
Getting Organized 25: Appliance Info
Getting Organized 26: Automobile Maintenance Info
Getting Organized 27: Mileage & Expenses
Getting Organized 28: Budget
Getting Organized 29: Bills & Taxes
Getting Organized 30: Financial Goals
Getting Organized 31: Debt Reduction
Getting Organized 32: Investments
Getting Organized 33: Passwords
Getting Organized 34: Computer Info
Getting Organized 35: Computer Files
Getting Organized 36: Hobby Supplies
Getting Organized 37: Photos & Negatives
Getting Organized 38: Garden Plans
Getting Organized 39: Prayer
Getting Organized 40: Journaling
Getting Organized 41: School Paperwork
Getting Organized 42: Extracurricular
Getting Organized 43: Home Business
Getting Organized 44: Emergency Info
Getting Organized 45: Emergency Plans
Getting Organized 46: Miscellaneous
Getting Organized 47: Paper Flow
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Me! 🙂 Thank you for sharing this! Very encouraging.
I’m working my way back through this all again myself, because…constant process!