I am so thrilled to introduce you to Jessica, a fellow blogger over at The Organized Mama. Jessica has loads of knowledge about staying organized and keep on top of your to do lists, so I've invited her to talk about some of her favorite tips and tricks.
Hello! My name is Jessica and I write over at The Organized Mama. I’m so excited to share some of my tips and tricks to keeping your days, weeks, and months organized! As a professional organizer, I teach my clients ways to keep themselves organized with a few simple tricks!
For me, I have a ton of color-coded lists to help keep me organized. I make each list on Sunday night with everything I need to do for the upcoming week. I have one for my blog, one for my organizing clients, one for home, and one for me. Each list is then broken down into subcategories based on what I will accomplish that week. I have my must-do for the week, my may-do for the week, and my eventually list for the week. This helps me prioritize my tasks at hand. I try to do all of the must-do lists first, then the may-do list, then, if there is time, the eventually list.
I also color-code within each of my lists. For example, on my blog to-do list, I have a pen color that I use specifically for things I have to write. I have another pen color for things I need to take pictures of. I have another pen color for projects I need to complete. You get the idea.
I also write down every little detail of anything I need to accomplish. If I have to go to the grocery store, it goes on my home list. If I have to fold laundry, it goes on my home list. If I have to go to workout class because my sanity depends on it, well, it might go on a few lists to make sure I do that!
Every time I complete the task, I get to cross it off and celebrate a little! I know it is kind of funny to think about, but instead of focusing on everything else that is left to do on your list, try to celebrate completing that one task. By doing this a few times, you will get in the habit of finding the good in completing small tasks.
Now I am not saying you need to do all of this too, as this might not be the most effective way for you to get organized. Maybe you do better with one big, giant list of everything in your life you need to accomplish. Maybe you just need two lists. Maybe you put in calendar reminders into your phone as a way to tackle your list. Maybe you need to break down the tasks based on day, week, month, quarter, year. Whatever way works best for you is how you should generate your lists. There really is no right way to do this. The only wrong way of making lists, is you not following through on whatever list-making task you decided for yourself. So find a way that works for you and get to work!
By creating lists, color-coding, and celebrating the accomplishments, hopefully, you can find a strategy, or two, that will work for you and keep you organized! Thank you so much Danyell for having me share some tips on keeping yourself organized! You can find me over at The Organized Mama for more organizing tips and tricks!
xoxo, Jessica
Tell us a bit about yourself
My name is Jessica and I am a thirty-something mom to two little kiddos under three. I also have a fur baby named Larson, who is a Schnoodle puppy. I grew up in Minnesota, went to undergrad at Indiana, and have been living in Chicago ever since. I was a special education teacher turned organizer a little over three years ago!
How has organizing affected your life?
I have always been an organized person, started as young as three. My parents have always said that they never had to bribe me to clean up, because I just naturally would. I am a little OCD, which has made things a little challenging in regards to organizing because I want everything to be put away in the right location, facing the right way. My husband always has a good laugh when he turns a bottle the wrong way in a cabinet! I feel that by being organized, you are able to spend more time on things you really want to do, instead of searching for things you might have misplaced.
What are some of your goals for this year?
Good question! I am hoping to get my Etsy shop back up and running as I ran short on inventory and never replenished it! I am also looking forward to attending my first blogging conference called the Inspire Retreat.
