13 Ways to Feel More Organized Every Day

Today, we’re sharing 13 ways to feel more organized every day! 

These 13 ideas are not groundbreaking, super expensive, or even really time-consuming.

They’re life hacks almost anyone can do.

They are small decisions you can make every single day to begin forming healthy habits.  

Decisions that allow you to be present with your loved ones and not thinking about the things you did or didn’t get accomplished on your to-do list.

While I’ve always fancied myself as a fairly organized person, I do not think you have to have some sort of “organization gene” to carry out these ideas.

You do have to commit to taking action on these 13 ways to feel more organized every day in order to see results though.

Even doing one, two, or three of these things *consistently* can help set you up for success.

Here are 13 Ways to Feel More Organized Every Day…

Start Prepping the Night Before

Having a successful and more organized day actually begins the night BEFORE. Here are 4 simple things you can do every night to help save you time each morning…

  • Layout your clothes for work/school/the gym and other afternoon activities you may have planned.
  • Prep the coffee pot, lunches, and snacks 
  • Review your schedule & priorities list for the next day
  • End the day on a positive note so you’ll wake up refreshed.

Run the Dishwasher Each Night and Empty the Dishwasher Each Morning

One of the easiest ways to feel more organized each day is to run the dishwasher each night before you go to bed leaving your sink empty and your kitchen tidy.

Each morning, commit to emptying the dishwasher before you start your day. That way, you’ll immediately have a place for dirty cereal bowls, smoothie glasses, and coffee mugs.

You’ll also be able to keep the sink and kitchen clean before you leave for work.

Utilize Phone, Tablet, and Desktop Apps

We’ve used to-do lists and task apps for a few years now and love them. Task apps allow us to create everything from grocery lists to home improvement lists to bucket lists.

Most of them are shareable, easy to use across multiple devices and there are even a few free versions available too.

While I’ve never personally used it because I keep everything in my planner, I’ve also heard great things about EverNote. Several of my friends use it daily and love it. 

Consider using the Waze app to help keep you informed traffic routes. The Mint app will help to keep your budget and bill-paying systems organized. 

A lot of restaurants and fast food places also have their own apps. Use them to score extra discounts or points. At some places, you can even order directly from the app and skip the drive-thru line now too. 

As always, research and compare your options in advance to make the best choice for you, your family, and/or your business. 

Keep a Calendar

It doesn’t matter if you’re kicking it old school with a paper calendar fit for a boss lady or if you prefer an electronic calendar like Google Calendar on your phone, tablet, or desktop.

Keeping a calendar will help you stay focused on your family, work, and personal schedules at any given time during the week/month.

Google Calendar is free and has a sync feature which means you can easily keep track of your schedule and the schedule of your family members or team members as they update their calendars too.

Write Down Your Most Important Tasks of the Day

The second easiest way to feel more organized every day is to write down your most important three tasks of the day BEFORE you go to bed or leave the office.

These top tasks become your top three priorities for the next day. 

That way, if your day gets slammed or if something unexpected comes up you’ll at least feel good about having gotten your priorities completed.

Do One Thing at a Time

I can completely relate to how easy it is to get sidetracked or sucked down the Pinterest rabbit hole when you’re looking for birthday party ideas.

Finishing one task before you begin another one will help keep you laser-focused on the task at hand.

It will also provide a sense of accomplishment when you cross an item off the to-do list without leaving any loose ends.

If you’re having trouble focusing, consider using a kitchen timer, the alarm on your phone, or a timer app like The Pomodoro Technique to help keep you on track.

Only Handle It Once and Clean as You Go

This is something we have to work on every. single. day. Having to clean up a mess twice will ALWAYS take more time than cleaning it up once and maintaining it.

At the end of each day, we do a “15-minute clutter catcher” meaning we set the timer for 15 minutes, and for the entire 15 minutes we are picking up drink glasses, putting away magazines, blankets, craft supplies, game pieces, or whatever has been left out from the afternoon/night.

You will be shocked at the number of things you can put away in 15 minutes so definitely give it a try.

Control Paper Clutter Daily

Sort through your mail/receipts daily and file them accordingly or consider scanning important papers into your home computer.

Use a basket to hold catalogs and magazines you’ve received in the mail. After you’ve read them, be sure to recycle or pass them along to friends or family members each week.

If you receive a lot of both make sure your basket has been emptied on Sunday night, so you can start fresh the following week.

Have a Designated Place for Everything

This includes everything from having a container by the front door to hold your car keys to baskets that hold pantry items.

Having a designated place for everything means items can be immediately and easily put away.

Meal Plan

Meal planning for the week/ month will not only help you to make healthier food choices, but it can also help your budget too.

If you’re short on time or hate to meal plan, consider using a meal delivery service or save time at the grocery store with curbside pick-up.

I personally hate to grocery shop so curbside pick up has been lifegiving, no joke. 

Create a Cleaning Routine that Works

No one wants to fall into bed tripping over a pile of junk. 

Divide basic cleaning chores into daily tasks, that way, you’ll keep a clean house all week.

Take Control of Your Time 

I know this is going to be so hard for some of you, it’s hard for me too sometimes. But it’s also a self-preserving skill we need to practice for as long as it takes until we get it. 

Learning how to say no to the things you don’t want or can’t do, will free up your time for the things you really care about and want to do.

A purpose-filled no will always be better than a reluctant or people-pleasing yes. Your time and energy have value!

Simplify As Much as Possible

Finally, feel more organized every day by making room in your life for what truly gives you joy and simplifying as many areas as you possibly can.

Be proactive by automating bills or when making reoccurring purchases online, scheduling white space in your day, creating a capsule wardrobe, assigning each day a specific task, color-coding your calendar, bath towels, sippy cups, or school folders to make things easy.

Decompress by writing in a prayer or gratitude journal, meeting up with friends, reading your favorite books, going for a walk, taking a hot bath, or looking up at the stars before you go to bed.

Whatever brings you simplicity and joy – find a way to do more of it!

These 13 ways to feel more organized every day and positive habits won’t happen overnight. They take time and continual refinement but that’s what growth is all about.

Believe me, you are worth the investment! Until next time, I’ll see you on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

Other Organizing Posts to Enjoy: 

52 Weeks to a Simplified and Organized Home Challenge

Spring to Summer Cleaning and Organizing Task List 

The Best Way to Organize the Kitchen 

Many blessings,

CoCo

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17 Comments

  1. You are on fire! We too are big fans of the 15 minute timer.It’s kind of like “beat the clock”. We use this method when cleaning the house too and you would be surprised at how quickly the entire house is cleaned! Thanks for sharing all of your fabulous ideas!

  2. I need SO MANY of these now that school is back in session, CoCo, thank you!

    1. You are so welcome, Sarah, happy to help any time! Hope your week is a fun one, CoCo

  3. I feel like I could actually do these Coco. Thanks for the great tips.

    1. You are very welcome, Bonnie! As I shared in the post, you definitely don’t have to do all 13 unless you want. Even doing 1, 2, or 3 of these things consistently will help make your days more organized. Cheering you on, CoCo

  4. Lonna Berridge says:

    I am a new subscriber and love your practicality! You advocate things I can actually do – and will do.
    Thanks so much! Lonna

    1. Such a sweet compliment, Lonna, thank you so much! And welcome, we’re excited to have you here. I’m definitely a practical person and I truly believe great things can be accomplished when we focus on purpose-filled small steps. Cheering you on as you try these tips and tricks, CoCo

  5. Marcia Lantow says:

    “A purpose-filled no will always be better than a reluctant or people-pleasing yes. Your time and energy have value!”
    So true Coco! Is that your quote it from Lysa’s book? Either way its a good one!

    1. Thank you, Marcia! That quote is my little nugget of knowledge but Lysa’s book is filled with so many good ones too. Sending you big hugs for a happy week, CoCo

  6. yes, Yes, YES to all of it, I do some, forget about others so thanks for the reminder. CoCo. Have a great day. XO- MaryJo

    1. So glad you like this post, MaryJo and it’s exciting to hear you already use some of these same techniques too. I definitely don’t think you have to do all of them. Even 1, 2, or 3 things done consistently will help, so feel free to pick your favorites. Hope your week is a special one, CoCo

  7. These are some excellent ways to stay organized! I especially love the tip to write down the most important things to do – I could get so much more done by doing that! 🙂

    1. Thank you, Caleb! I totally feel you on the writing things down. I always think I’ll remember the important things I need to do from one day to the next. More times than not though, the distractions start creeping in the minute I wake up. Writing things down the night before has really helped me keep it all together and I feel more focused each day too. It’s definitely worth giving it a try! Cheering you on, CoCo

  8. Love, Love, Love all of these suggestions! I must ask about your pantry. Is it stenciled or wallpapered? Love it!

    1. Thank you so much, Teresa! I hand stenciled the bees on the walls of our pantry several years ago and we still love it to this day. Our walls have an orange peel texture to them so wallpaper doesn’t really work for us. Thankfully, stenciling is the next best thing ? Hope your day is a fun one, CoCo

  9. Thank you so much for these tips! These seem very doable–and I need all the help I can get in this area! I’ve pinned this to my “Organizing” board for future reference.

    Thanks so much for joining the Grace at Home party at Imparting Grace. I’m featuring you this week!

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