Getting organised will make your work, and life, so much easier

We’ve all experienced that sense of mild panic at some point when we need to make a note of important information, only to spend what seems like a lifetime scrambling to find a pen and pad.

Or needing to find that all important file, and then realising it’s lost within the mound of scrap paper and other bits and pieces on your desk.

Chances are getting more organised is something you decided to do back at the start of the year. And chances are even higher that you’ve already given up on the resolution.

But, being more organised is something we should all try and do. Here are just a few reasons why…

Giving your work and personal life an organisational overhaul

Being organised, both in your personal and work life has countless benefits. Managing hectic schedules is just part and parcel of life for most of us, and whilst there are those of us who do it well, there are many who could learn a trick or two.

Here are just a few reasons why being organised is beneficial for yourself, and your business – or at least why it works for us.

10 reasons why being organised works for PRAO

• Productivity is increased
• Stress is reduced
• Can aid punctuality
• Saves time and energy
• Provides a sense of achievement
• Boosts confidence
• Makes work life more manageable and controlled
• Leaves more time for out-of-work activities
• Can save money
• Gives us that feel-good factor

The art of being organised

Keep a tidy desk – De-cluttering will help you be more organised, and will likely save you time and money. Keep documents and stationary down to a minimum and file other documents away in drawers or a filing cabinet. A clear working space helps achieve a clear mind and allows you to work through documents in an orderly way.

Plan ahead and plan well – Preparing your to-do list a day in advance is ideal. Careful planning will save you time and make for more effective execution of tasks. Your focus will be strong and you’ll notice an increase in productivity straight away.

Streamline your jobs list – How you log your list of ongoing jobs is important and determines how well your actionable items are managed. Whether you use an online task manager or a daily written diary, make sure you’re regularly assessing its effectiveness and how it can be modified for the better. Looking for some inspiration? Check out the following tools; the Eisenhower Matrix, todoist, MyLifeOrganized and Vitalist. Stephen Covey’s best-selling book, ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People’ is also an insightful read.

Figure out your ideal work time – When are you most productive? If it’s first thing in the morning, that’s the time to complete your most important tasks. If your creativity flows after refuelling at lunch, then that’s the best time to sit down for brainstorms and planning sessions. Don’t skip lunch, and try to get some fresh air during your lunch break. Eating and getting outside for a few minutes helps keep your blood sugar levels up, helps you keep focus and return to your desk feeling fresh for the second half of your day.

Optimise your time – Frequent interruptions can destroy productivity. Try to reduce the time spent occupied with these by making rules, such as only checking emails at set times during the day, and by not allowing yourself to be interrupted by colleagues for more than two minutes at a time, unless it is urgent. Non-urgent tasks should be added to your jobs list and dealt with at a later designated time. If you want to track the time you’re spending on particular jobs to establish if and where improvements need to be made, then tools like toggl are great.

Staying organised – The most crucial tip of all is to find a way to maintain momentum. If you’ve established methods that work for you, then do all you can to stick to them. Reward yourself when you reach personal targets and make notes of all the positive things that result from your new-found organisation, whether it’s a bonus, a well-deserved promotion, or a happy team or client.

And remember: “Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing”. Theodore Roosevelt.