The busier we get, the more the concept of being organised comes into play. If we want to be successful and actually enjoy our lives while doing it, then organisation is not optional—it is essential.

Staying on top of your schedule does not have to mean colour-coding every minute or overthinking every detail. It is about creating simple systems that keep your life running smoothly so you can focus on what truly matters. Here are a few practical tips to help you stay organised without losing your marbles:

Calenders

Whether you are a fan of the digital calendar or you prefer the paper version, then a calendar is a major factor in staying organised. The paper version has its benefits as you are most liable to remember something you have written down. A digital version means you can share it with team members and family.

Tip: As soon as you have made an appointment, put it on the calendar don’t tell yourself you will remember to do it later, chances are you will not. Get into the habit of checking the calendar nightly before bed so you are aware what your day looks like tomorrow or first thing in the morning to avoid surprises. 

The good thing about digital calendars is that you can set reminders. 15 minutes before the board meeting, a day before the dentist appointment, what ever you need to keep you on track. Even using a paper calendar, having digital reminders can help your day run smoothly.

To-Do-List

People either like them or they hate them. While they help with your daily living and your life. These pesky list can also be a source of anxiety and a reminder of how much you still have to do. To-Do-List are not only helps keep you on track, they allow you to know at all times what you are working on, allows you to priorities the most urgent tasks and can also help keep you motivated just by you being able to tick off items completed. Yes, you are allowed to add an item you have competed that was not originally on the list, just to cross it off and feel accomplished. 😉

Tip: Create or finalise your list at the end of the working day for the next day or first thing in the morning, this ensure you know exactly where your day is heading. Transfer any items not completed to the next day.

Try to be realistic, adding a ton of task to a list that is not possible to complete can be demotivating.

Plan and Plan some more

We all know it works, once we see the results, even if something doesn’t go as plan, we are still able to recover easier. The trick to it is not to spend loads of time on creating a plan as it then defeats the purpose. Also, try not to overthink or get bogged down in the smaller details. Leave that for the execution phase.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail” – Benjamin Franklin

How to plan like boss?

Monthly and weekly sessions of not more than thirty (30) mins to an hour. Making the time for it will be worth it and giving it your undivided attention while doing it will see the best results.

What you should be planning?

Any area of your life you need to run smoothly, that can be, the weekly or monthly grocery shopping, your exercise routine, meals, after school or work activities, travel, hobbies. All of it.

Tip: Automate some of it, download a supermarket app, that way you can build the list as time goes by without too much effort and you always have it with you. myShopi is a useful tool https://download.cnet.com/myShopi-Grocery-list/3000-2649_4-75619333.html (No affiliation). Your days of being in the supermarket and your list being at home are over. You can also share the list with your partner or assistant with the click of a few buttons.

Declutter

There are many benefits to be derived from decluttering your space. It not only frees up space within your environment, but also within your mind. Too many pieces of items keep your brain fogged and you gain so much clarity when there is less. Every personal item we own, occupies a portion of space within our brains. When we part ways with items that we do not need or no longer serves us, we are giving ourselves permission to move on.

Another benefit of having less, is that it increases efficiency. By knowing where items are, you are more efficient, you spend less time looking for your belongings, thereby you are less frustrated. The best way to avoid With each item having a home, then you know exactly where to go look for it, but most importantly you need to also learn to put things back where you take them from. (Yes, just as your parents thought you). 

Unsubscribe

Technology has taken over our lives and it has brought some good and some not so good. One of the drawbacks to technology is that it encourages us to waste time and it is also invasive (if you allow it to be). This could be a whole discussion on its own, but as it relates to being organise, start by unsubscribing from all the unnecessary mailing lists. First off, it’s another form of clutter. You are unable to see the important items in your mail box because you have all these flyers and messages of advertising blocking your view. 

These messages are also tempting to some persons, you click on the link and next thing you know you have just bought more clutter you do not need or wasted an hour watching videos of cats doing stunts.

Tip: Create folders in your inbox – acts as a virtual filing cabinets and you do not waste time trying to find emails.

Summary

Trying to stay organised can seem like a taunting task but if you start by organising one area of your life and maintaining that with these tips, you will eventually get a handle on it without causing yourself too much anxiety.

On a path to better productivity https://livingloudonabudget.com/how-to-be-productive-at-work-daily/

When was the last time you change your passwords? https://livingloudonabudget.com/its-time-to-update-your-passwords/

Book a discovery call to discuss how we can help you live a more intentional life https://calendly.com/tanja-livingloud/30min?month=2025-10