Being organised is something we always strive to be good at, but daily life events take over and we often find our day-to-day is rather chaotic and unmethodical.
But now is as good a time as ever to change all that.
It really takes some skill to be organised – and more so, to stick at it. First thing, invest in a diary or planner; one that will really help you to become more efficient every day, and ultimately, be more organised. And, it goes without saying, a diary that oozes style – from its front cover to page design – is the chic companion that will never leave your side.
‘No matter what your goals are for 2018, whether it’s starting that business, running a 10k or finally decorating the spare room, good planning is often the key to it actually happening (or not, as is often the case),’ says Kirsten M Wilson, interior designer and creator of the Hello Day Planner.
‘We all know that following through is much easier said than done, and the reality of everyday life means it’s hard enough to think about tomorrow, let alone the month or year ahead. That’s why good planning is so important.’
When it comes to writing to-do lists, it’s a good idea to split them into daily and weekly tasks. This will help you to set realistic goals and prioritise what tasks need to be completed urgently. For example, is it more important that you buy a new TV, change the curtains in the living room, fix the broken shelf in the bathroom or find a good builder for your home renovation?
To help you plan efficiently so that you can actually tick off your to-do lists, Kirsten reveals her foolproof tips below:
When it comes to planning daily tasks….
1. Take time each morning or the night before to plan your day. Write down your schedule and set your daily to-dos. Don’t forget to include what’s important to you – exercise, family time etc.
2. Be realistic with what you can achieve in a day. Don’t over pack your day with to-dos, or you’ll end up feeling down on yourself for not getting things done.
3. Prioritise your top to-dos. Set yourself your three top priorities and focus on getting them done each day. Other tasks you don’t manage to do can be carried over to the next day, but ticking off those key tasks is key.
When it comes to planning monthly tasks…
1. Set yourself goals and then write them down. Writing them down helps you to actually commit – you’ll feel great when you get them done and tick them off at the end of the month.
2. Break them down into achievable chunks for each week. Starting is often the hardest part, but you’ve now got a manageable weekly objective to work towards day by day.
3. Focus on the task at hand. The end goal can sometimes seem distant and daunting but good planning helps us end each day with a sense of accomplishment.
So now, go ahead and embrace your most organised self yet!
