From the desk of Caitlin Hanson,
Raise your hand if you feel like you fall into the in-between personality of…
- Kind of Type A but sometimes Type B
- Right-minded yet left-minded
- Clean… but messy
- Detail oriented but having a big picture mindset
You can’t see it, but I’m raising both of my hands straight to the sky!!
It definitely has its perks being able to have strengths in both mindsets of a planner and the go-with-the-flow-er. But finding good, consistent organization and time management skills is a tough task to figure out.
To be honest, I can get easily overwhelmed. During some of the most chaotic weeks, I find that what stresses me out the most is my lack of organization… especially when I have a lot on my plate.
Mastering the art of organization and time management can mean different things to different people, but here are a few tried and true tips to keep up with staying organized on a daily basis.
- Create to-do lists
I am a write-it down sort of person. And everytime I think of that, I remember the days in school where my teachers would say… “a pencil to paper is the best way to learn” And they were right!
A Japanese university conducted a study and found that students who wrote on physical paper were able to remember the information an hour later. They associated that writing by hand on physical paper is likely what leads to improved memory. (sciencedaily.com)
Whether you have a physical or digital planner, inputting your appointments, reminders, and to-dos are a huge way to stay on top of being organized.
- A Clean Environment is Key
While I feel like this one is brought up many times, maintaining a clean workspace can be a game changer to your productivity and help clear out the distractions in your mind.
Whether you have almost too many notebooks like me, or devices taking up your space, take some time to find an easy but out of the way space for those objects to live. Too much stuff can be overwhelming. And creating the habit of minimizing them can be a great start to consistent organization!
3. Schedule Self Check-Ins
Take a look at your weekly schedule and figure out a time that works the best for you to sit down with yourself and assess what your week looks like in terms of responsibilities, tasks, errands, and more! Having the time to check-in with yourself and go over your expectations is a great way to get started.
For me, it’s Sunday night. I write down what I’m planning for meal prep, appointments, and things to follow up on so I don’t feel like I am bombarded and overwhelmed once the work week begins.
So… What does God say about this?
Organization pertains to not only our physical objects but to how we manage our time everyday. And God wants us to use our time and resources wisely. Luke 14: 28 – 30 says,
“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.”
It’s important to take a step back and be realistic when we let our schedule fill up. God wants us to succeed with the gifts and resources we have everyday, and that requires self-control that we won’t jump the gun, but to seek out His strength, guidance, and wisdom during the busy seasons of our life.
Next Steps
We hope this blog encourages you to improve your daily organization skills! To hear more faith-based lifestyle tips, check out the You Flourish Podcast or subscribe to our blog to receive the motivation you need every week!