How to Be More Organized

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow to Be More OrganizedCharacteristics of Organized PeoplePotential PitfallsFAQ

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

How to Be More Organized

Characteristics of Organized People

Potential Pitfalls

FAQ

Do you have amessy roomthat you dread coming home to? Are you always struggling to find things? Do you have a desk piled high with paperwork that you need to get under control? If so, this chaos might be causing a lot more stress and anxiety than you realize.Enter: Organization. Cleaning your room isn’t a quick fix that’s going to cure your anxiety or depression, but it will certainly help you feel more in control of your life. Putting in the effort to get organized can prevent a lot of last-minute scrambling to find things and reduce your stress levels.However, getting organized isn’t easy. But don’t worry, we’ll help you sort it all out! (pun intended)At a GlanceBeing organized can help you maintain tidy and clutter-free physical and digital spaces. It can help youfocusbetter on the task at hand and be more productive, while reducing your stress and anxiety levels.If you’re not used to being organized, start slowly with small changes and work your way up to bigger ones. It definitely takes some discipline, particularly in the early stages.Over time, however, it will become a habit that’s part of your daily routine.The Connection Between Cleanliness and Mental HealthHow to Be More OrganizedBelow are some tips that can help you be more organized.Choose an Area of FocusGetting organized can take time and effort, sotrying to do multiple things at oncecan be quite overwhelming. Pick an area of focus to begin with and work on getting that under control. For instance, you could start with your closet, your important documents, or your desk at work.Once you’re able to get one piece organized, you can start expanding to the other areas in your life. The more you practice being organized, the better you will get at it.Keep a To-Do ListA 2016 study notes that having a to-do list helps improve productivity, because having a written plan of action reduces the executive burden on the brain and frees it up to work on other tasks.If you prefer writing things down, you can use a planner to keep track of all the things you need to do. Otherwise, if you prefer having things available at the click of a button, you can maintain a list on your phone, tablet, or computer. There are several apps that can help you create ato-do list, set reminders, and track the progress of your tasks.You can create separate lists for the different areas of your life, such as ‘Work Projects,’ ‘Home Chores,’ ‘Grocery List,’ etc. It can be helpful to sort the tasks in order of urgency, so you know what you need to do first.What’s most important is to write down things you need to do as soon as you think of them. Otherwise, if you tell yourself you’ll write them down later, you’re likely to forget them and miss doing them.Set GoalsWrite down a list ofgoalsthat you would like to achieve. Then, break each goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. Set timelines for each step and make it a point to track your progress.For instance, if you’re looking for a job, your to-do list might include steps such as writing your resume, applying to a list of companies that interest you, and sending follow-up emails. It can be helpful to create a spreadsheet to track each of your applications. You can follow a similar process for all your goals.Clean Up Physical ClutterA 2017 study notes that living in a cluttered space can disorient your brain, causing you to experience confusion and spatial uncertainty.Clutteralso leads to a build-up of dust and mold, in addition to posing fire and tripping hazards.Make it a point to clean up physical spaces, such as your home, your garage, your car, and your desk at work. Try to ensure that surfaces are as clean and clutter-free as possible.This might take some time, but try to tackle one area every week or month, depending on your bandwidth. Keep only the things you need and donate the things you don’t.Get Rid of Digital ClutterIt can also help to declutter yourdigitalspaces. For instance, uninstall any apps that you’re not using on your phone and delete any photos, videos, and documents you don’t need, as they tend to take up a lot of space.Maintain an organized filing system on your computer for all your files and documents. Sort your emails into folders and delete any junk mail you don’t need. Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read. Close browser tabs you don’t need, or bookmark them for later.Put Things in Their PlaceAs you clean up, assign a fixed spot to all your things. Going forward, make it a point to always put things back in the same spot. This will make it easier for you to find your things, as you will start to associate the item with a specific location.Maintain a CalendarMaintain a physical or digitalcalendarwhere you note things such as:AppointmentsMeetingsDeadlinesSocial eventsBirthdaysAnniversariesThis will help ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines or occasions. You can also use your calendar to set reminders for yourself, to buy your best friend a cake for their birthday, for example, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.Digitize Important DocumentsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it can be helpful to digitize important paperwork.The CDC notes that this not only ensures you have a backup in case the originals are destroyed, it also makes it easier for you to access and share documents digitally. They recommend digitizing your medical records and insurance information and saving them to a secure digital location that you can access in case of an emergency.Use Organizational AidesThere are a host of products that can help you be more organized, so be sure to take advantage of them.For physical spaces, there are several types of storage solutions for items such as clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, utensils, and documents. For digital spaces, there are severalappsand tools that can help you organize your notes, lists, tasks, and emails.Initially, it may take a little time to get used to the organizer, but once you’re used to it, it will become a habit.Characteristics of Organized PeopleThese are some of the characteristics of organized people, compared to those of disorganized people.Organized PeopleDo things immediatelyTend to be focused and goal-orientedHave more disciplineKeep their spaces clean and tidyMaintain a calendar of important eventsTend to be more punctualHave fixed spots for thingsAre better prepared for emergenciesAre more likely to plan aheadDisorganized PeopleKeep things for laterTend to be more laid-backAre more impulsiveKeep their spaces messy or dirtyTend to miss appointments and eventsTend to be tardyAre often unable to find thingsAre more likely to be caught unawaresAre more likely to be unpreparedPotential Pitfalls of Being DisorganizedHarvard Business Review (HBR) notes that being disorganized can have several drawbacks, including:Time wasted as a result of being unable to find thingsDifficulty focusing, reduced cognitive function, and lowerproductivityTrouble with decision-making and emotional regulationHigher levels of stress, anxiety, and depressionPoorer sleep quality and eating habitsLower quality of relationships, as people tend to have a poorer view of disorganized peopleFrequently Asked QuestionsFrequently Asked QuestionsThere are many different ways to organize something and there often isn’t a “right” way to do things. A method that works for one person may not necessarily work for another, and vice versa. The best method for you is the one that you can follow consistently.It certainly helps to keep a daily routine that involves basic tasks such as making your bed, tidying your room, doing the dishes, and seeing to the most urgent things on your to-do list. Doing small amounts every day can help prevent things from piling up.Apart from this, you can plan to do other tasks over the weekend or when you have spare time.

Enter: Organization. Cleaning your room isn’t a quick fix that’s going to cure your anxiety or depression, but it will certainly help you feel more in control of your life. Putting in the effort to get organized can prevent a lot of last-minute scrambling to find things and reduce your stress levels.

However, getting organized isn’t easy. But don’t worry, we’ll help you sort it all out! (pun intended)

At a GlanceBeing organized can help you maintain tidy and clutter-free physical and digital spaces. It can help youfocusbetter on the task at hand and be more productive, while reducing your stress and anxiety levels.If you’re not used to being organized, start slowly with small changes and work your way up to bigger ones. It definitely takes some discipline, particularly in the early stages.Over time, however, it will become a habit that’s part of your daily routine.

At a Glance

Being organized can help you maintain tidy and clutter-free physical and digital spaces. It can help youfocusbetter on the task at hand and be more productive, while reducing your stress and anxiety levels.If you’re not used to being organized, start slowly with small changes and work your way up to bigger ones. It definitely takes some discipline, particularly in the early stages.Over time, however, it will become a habit that’s part of your daily routine.

If you’re not used to being organized, start slowly with small changes and work your way up to bigger ones. It definitely takes some discipline, particularly in the early stages.Over time, however, it will become a habit that’s part of your daily routine.

The Connection Between Cleanliness and Mental Health

Below are some tips that can help you be more organized.

Choose an Area of Focus

Getting organized can take time and effort, sotrying to do multiple things at oncecan be quite overwhelming. Pick an area of focus to begin with and work on getting that under control. For instance, you could start with your closet, your important documents, or your desk at work.

Once you’re able to get one piece organized, you can start expanding to the other areas in your life. The more you practice being organized, the better you will get at it.

Keep a To-Do List

A 2016 study notes that having a to-do list helps improve productivity, because having a written plan of action reduces the executive burden on the brain and frees it up to work on other tasks.

If you prefer writing things down, you can use a planner to keep track of all the things you need to do. Otherwise, if you prefer having things available at the click of a button, you can maintain a list on your phone, tablet, or computer. There are several apps that can help you create ato-do list, set reminders, and track the progress of your tasks.

You can create separate lists for the different areas of your life, such as ‘Work Projects,’ ‘Home Chores,’ ‘Grocery List,’ etc. It can be helpful to sort the tasks in order of urgency, so you know what you need to do first.

What’s most important is to write down things you need to do as soon as you think of them. Otherwise, if you tell yourself you’ll write them down later, you’re likely to forget them and miss doing them.

Set Goals

Write down a list ofgoalsthat you would like to achieve. Then, break each goal down into smaller, more manageable steps. Set timelines for each step and make it a point to track your progress.

For instance, if you’re looking for a job, your to-do list might include steps such as writing your resume, applying to a list of companies that interest you, and sending follow-up emails. It can be helpful to create a spreadsheet to track each of your applications. You can follow a similar process for all your goals.

Clean Up Physical Clutter

A 2017 study notes that living in a cluttered space can disorient your brain, causing you to experience confusion and spatial uncertainty.Clutteralso leads to a build-up of dust and mold, in addition to posing fire and tripping hazards.

Make it a point to clean up physical spaces, such as your home, your garage, your car, and your desk at work. Try to ensure that surfaces are as clean and clutter-free as possible.

This might take some time, but try to tackle one area every week or month, depending on your bandwidth. Keep only the things you need and donate the things you don’t.

Get Rid of Digital Clutter

It can also help to declutter yourdigitalspaces. For instance, uninstall any apps that you’re not using on your phone and delete any photos, videos, and documents you don’t need, as they tend to take up a lot of space.

Maintain an organized filing system on your computer for all your files and documents. Sort your emails into folders and delete any junk mail you don’t need. Unsubscribe from newsletters you don’t read. Close browser tabs you don’t need, or bookmark them for later.

Put Things in Their Place

As you clean up, assign a fixed spot to all your things. Going forward, make it a point to always put things back in the same spot. This will make it easier for you to find your things, as you will start to associate the item with a specific location.

Maintain a Calendar

Maintain a physical or digitalcalendarwhere you note things such as:

This will help ensure you don’t miss any important deadlines or occasions. You can also use your calendar to set reminders for yourself, to buy your best friend a cake for their birthday, for example, so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

Digitize Important Documents

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that it can be helpful to digitize important paperwork.

The CDC notes that this not only ensures you have a backup in case the originals are destroyed, it also makes it easier for you to access and share documents digitally. They recommend digitizing your medical records and insurance information and saving them to a secure digital location that you can access in case of an emergency.

Use Organizational Aides

There are a host of products that can help you be more organized, so be sure to take advantage of them.

For physical spaces, there are several types of storage solutions for items such as clothes, shoes, jewelry, makeup, utensils, and documents. For digital spaces, there are severalappsand tools that can help you organize your notes, lists, tasks, and emails.

Initially, it may take a little time to get used to the organizer, but once you’re used to it, it will become a habit.

These are some of the characteristics of organized people, compared to those of disorganized people.

Organized PeopleDo things immediatelyTend to be focused and goal-orientedHave more disciplineKeep their spaces clean and tidyMaintain a calendar of important eventsTend to be more punctualHave fixed spots for thingsAre better prepared for emergenciesAre more likely to plan aheadDisorganized PeopleKeep things for laterTend to be more laid-backAre more impulsiveKeep their spaces messy or dirtyTend to miss appointments and eventsTend to be tardyAre often unable to find thingsAre more likely to be caught unawaresAre more likely to be unprepared

Do things immediately

Tend to be focused and goal-oriented

Have more discipline

Keep their spaces clean and tidy

Maintain a calendar of important events

Tend to be more punctual

Have fixed spots for things

Are better prepared for emergencies

Are more likely to plan ahead

Disorganized PeopleKeep things for laterTend to be more laid-backAre more impulsiveKeep their spaces messy or dirtyTend to miss appointments and eventsTend to be tardyAre often unable to find thingsAre more likely to be caught unawaresAre more likely to be unprepared

Keep things for later

Tend to be more laid-back

Are more impulsive

Keep their spaces messy or dirty

Tend to miss appointments and events

Tend to be tardy

Are often unable to find things

Are more likely to be caught unawares

Are more likely to be unprepared

Potential Pitfalls of Being Disorganized

Harvard Business Review (HBR) notes that being disorganized can have several drawbacks, including:Time wasted as a result of being unable to find thingsDifficulty focusing, reduced cognitive function, and lowerproductivityTrouble with decision-making and emotional regulationHigher levels of stress, anxiety, and depressionPoorer sleep quality and eating habitsLower quality of relationships, as people tend to have a poorer view of disorganized people

Harvard Business Review (HBR) notes that being disorganized can have several drawbacks, including:

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked QuestionsThere are many different ways to organize something and there often isn’t a “right” way to do things. A method that works for one person may not necessarily work for another, and vice versa. The best method for you is the one that you can follow consistently.It certainly helps to keep a daily routine that involves basic tasks such as making your bed, tidying your room, doing the dishes, and seeing to the most urgent things on your to-do list. Doing small amounts every day can help prevent things from piling up.Apart from this, you can plan to do other tasks over the weekend or when you have spare time.

There are many different ways to organize something and there often isn’t a “right” way to do things. A method that works for one person may not necessarily work for another, and vice versa. The best method for you is the one that you can follow consistently.

It certainly helps to keep a daily routine that involves basic tasks such as making your bed, tidying your room, doing the dishes, and seeing to the most urgent things on your to-do list. Doing small amounts every day can help prevent things from piling up.Apart from this, you can plan to do other tasks over the weekend or when you have spare time.

Apart from this, you can plan to do other tasks over the weekend or when you have spare time.

7 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Siegel J.Getting organized in your job.J Orthop Trauma. 2013;27 Suppl 1:S8-S11. doi:10.1097/BOT.0b013e3182a52344

Nemours Foundation.Organizing schoolwork and assignments.

Schrager S, Sadowski E.Getting more done: strategies to increase scholarly productivity.J Grad Med Educ. 2016;8(1):10-13. doi:10.4300/JGME-D-15-00165.1

Harrison WJ, Bex PJ.Visual crowding is a combination of an increase of positional uncertainty, source confusion, and featural averaging.Sci Rep. 2017;7:45551. doi:10.1038/srep45551

Aso Y, Yamaoka K, Nemoto A, Naganuma Y, Saito M.Effectiveness of a ‘Workshop on Decluttering and Organising’ programme for teens and middle-aged adults with difficulty decluttering: a study protocol of an open-label, randomised, parallel-group, superiority trial in Japan.BMJ Open. 2017;7(6):e014687. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2016-014687

Harvard Business Review.The case for finally cleaning your desk.

Child Mind Institute.How to help yourself get organized.

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At a Glance#

Choose an Area of Focus#

Keep a To-Do List#

Set Goals#

Clean Up Physical Clutter#

Get Rid of Digital Clutter#

Put Things in Their Place#

Maintain a Calendar#

Digitize Important Documents#

Use Organizational Aides#

Potential Pitfalls of Being Disorganized#

Frequently Asked Questions#