Learn how to stay organized with practical tips, tools, and strategies for managing your time, reducing stress, and keeping track of important tasks.
Life can get overwhelming, can’t it? Between work deadlines, laundry piles, school drop-offs, and the never-ending to-do list, staying on top of everything sometimes feels impossible. I know those who have bought my Digital Clutter Course say their number one struggle is that they never seem to feel totally caught up on life.
Since I was a little girl, I’ve loved the idea of being super organized with color-coded calendars, tidy drawers, everything in its place a la my home neat home series. I’ve also noticed that when I am organized, I feel lighter, calmer, and more capable of tackling the tasks at hand. Organization doesn’t mean perfection; it means setting up systems that help you manage your time, reduce stress, and stay in control of your day.
In this post, I’m sharing some of my best techniques on how to stay organized — with tips, tools, and strategies that actually work for real life. You’ll get a starting point to get organized in your home, schedule, and digital life.
How To Stay Organized
Staying organized means more than having neat drawers or a pretty calendar (although those definitely help!). It’s about creating systems that allow you to handle your important tasks, action items, and long-term goals while also feeling like you are ahead of the game – not behind.
When you’re organized, you can take better control of your time, keep track of due dates, and stay on top of your daily routine. You’re less likely to misplace things, forget appointments, or feel like you’re constantly playing catch-up. Plus, organization makes it easier to delegate tasks when you need help because everything is clear and in order.
Why Is Staying Organized Important
It Helps You Manage Your Time
When your tasks are scattered and you don’t have a system, it’s easy to waste time just figuring out what to do next. Staying organized makes it easier to prioritize, assign due dates, and focus on the tasks at hand. Instead of reacting to chaos, you get to decide how to manage your time more intentionally. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you where to start, and my course can do that for your digital life!
It Reduces Stress
As I wrote about in this post, a messy house, an overflowing inbox, or a cluttered mind can cause unnecessary stress. When you know where everything is and what’s coming up, you can breathe easier. Staying organized gives you mental clarity and helps reduce stress so you can focus on what truly matters.
It Boosts Productivity
Organization keeps distractions at bay and ensures you’re working on your most important tasks first. You’ll move through your daily routine more smoothly, check off action items with more efficiency, and actually get things done instead of just thinking about them.
It Creates Long-Term Success
Short-term fixes may help you clean up for the moment, but building solid organizational habits sets you up for long-term success. Whether it’s learning how to organize files or setting up a system for your finances, the benefits go far beyond today’s to-do list.
How Do You Stay Organized
You know the first thing I’m going to recommend is to simplify. It’s the first step in any organization mission. But it’s also the easiest step. Donate, delete, or delegate anything that isn’t essential.
Start with a Daily Routine
Having a set rhythm to your day makes it easier to stay on track. Even small habits, like unloading the dishwasher in the morning or writing out your action items the night before, can help you feel more grounded. Critique your current routine and ask if there are tasks you could consolidate, reschedule, or otherwise shift (think creatively!) so you’re wasting less time.
- Anchor your day (and night): Begin with one consistent habit (like making your bed or unloading the dishwasher) to set a productive tone. I tend to “reset” the kitchen each evening (get it looking perfect!) and then do it again after everyone is done with breakfast.
- Batch tasks: Group similar action items (like emails, errands, or phone calls) into one time block to save energy.
Write Things Down
I find a simple brain dump can really help me sort though my priorities. I seriously don’t know how anyone can rely on memory alone in this day and age. Whether it’s a notebook, planner, or the Notes app in your phone, make a list of all the tasks swirling around in your head. Writing things down frees up brain space and lets you organize your thoughts by group.
- Use a brain dump list: Jot down everything that comes to mind and work in groups if possible (household, personal, kid, health).
- Prioritize with symbols: Mark important tasks with stars or color codes so you know what needs attention first.
Organize Files (Digital and Paper)
Digital clutter is just as stressful as physical clutter. Take time to organize files on your computer and phone. If you’ve ever wondered how to clean up a Gmail inbox, that’s a great place to start! On the home front, use labeled folders for bills, receipts, and documents so you can find what you need when you need it. I know I keep mentioning it, but my course is the best out there for creating and sticking to a system to organize your digital world!
- Create clear folders: For papers you DO have to keep hard copies of, separate work, personal, and household files by category so you can find documents fast. Digitize everything that you can in the cloud.
- Set recurring reminders: Whether it’s a weekly meal planning session or quarterly estimated taxes, set reminders that popup in your calendar or Reminders app so you never miss anything.
Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do everything yourself. Delegating tasks – whether at work or at home – frees you up to focus on the most important tasks. The kids might grumble, but if you can slowly get their habits to shift (like getting dirty laundry IN the basket) or incentivize them to help out more, it’s a win-win!
- Communicate clearly: When you delegate tasks, give due dates and clear instructions to avoid confusion.
- Make chores charts for kids: When we first introduced more chores and responsibility to Birch, we made him a printable chore chart that he could check off himself. Maybe he gets his satisfaction of list checking from me, but he sure liked the checking part! It helped a little bit with his routine and reminders.
Declutter Regularly
Staying organized doesn’t mean cleaning once and being done forever—it’s an ongoing process. Life trends toward chaos, especially if you live with other people. Regularly decluttering keeps stuff from piling up and helps you stay in control of your time and space. Check out my guide on how to organize your home room by room for a step-by-step approach.
- Try the one-in, one-out rule: For every new item you bring into your home, remove one you don’t need. Examples: new towel replaces old towel or new toy comes in, donate one you’ve outgrown.
- Set a timer: Spend just 15 minutes decluttering a drawer, shelf, or corner to make progress without overwhelming yourself. I always find a podcast or music makes decluttering way more fun!
What Tools Do You Need to Stay Organized
A Planner or Calendar
A planner is essential for tracking appointments, due dates, and daily routines. Digital calendars work, too—set reminders so nothing slips through the cracks. I love the planner app Teuxdeux used in combination with Google Calendar and the Reminders app in Apple. I am always asking Siri to help me remember things!
Sticky Notes
Old-school? Maybe. Effective? Definitely. Sticky notes are perfect for jotting down quick reminders or action items you need to see front and center. Or the Notes app for a greener option!
Storage Bins and Labels
For home organization, bins and labels make a huge difference. Whether it’s kids’ toys, pantry staples, or craft supplies, having everything in its place makes it easier to stay tidy long term. If you don’t have a place to store it, it’s more likely to end up on the floor. Check out this post for tons of storage bin options.
Apps for Digital Organization
There are so many great apps for managing your time and keeping tasks organized. From simple to-do list apps to more advanced project management tools, find one that works for you. Check out this post: The Best Apps To Stay Organized.
And if your phone photos are stressing you out, here’s my guide on how to organize photos on iPhone.
File Folders and Cabinets
For paperwork, nothing beats a good filing system. I push a digital one in my course by recommending Dropbox, Google Drive, or Evernote. You can easily scan docs with your phone these days! Whether you choose digital or paper, keep track of tax documents, bills, and insurance forms in one place. Organize files by category so you never waste time hunting things down.
A Little Goes A Long Way
Staying organized isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating systems that work for you. Whether it’s using sticky notes to capture action items, setting due dates for important tasks, or learning how to delegate tasks more effectively, these small habits can add up to big changes over time.
The biggest antagonist to organization is an unmade decision.
Staying organized helps you reduce stress, manage your time, and keep control of your daily routine. And with the right tools in place, you’ll be ready not just for today’s tasks at hand but also for long-term success.
