Technically this isn’t organizing a space in your home, but it is to help stay organized outside the home. That counts, right?!? In part one I talked about ways to organize your kitchen and in part two we went over bathroom organization. If you want to catch up part one is HERE & part two is HERE. For this post I will be providing tips & tricks to stay organized on-the-go.
We all know that life is hectic. Whether you work in the home or outside the home. Between school pickup, doctor appointments, helping with homework, my marriage, a career, toddler, blogging, cooking, baking, grocery shopping, laundry, & countless other daily tasks it is super easy to forget about something. Ahhh!!! Just typing all this just gave me anxiety! However, I have learned over time how to stay organized-ish and saving a little money on the way. It’s hard and I am not saying the list I am about to provide is going to magically make you captain organized, but I can say using these items have helped me immensely, so I am sharing them with you.
Tip 1: Monthly Agenda
I’m an old soul at heart. I still believe in handwriting a letter or a to-do list. I actually absorb more when I write it out instead of type. I know I could note everything on my smart phone, but what if I drop my phone?! I have definitely done that, so I like to depend on old faithful, my agenda. I’ve been using Kate Spade agendas for several years now and even converted one of my coworkers to them.
They come in a variety of fun prints, but most importantly will keep the most unorganized of people (like me) organized each day. Bonus, they are 17-month agendas, starting in August of the current year so you get 5 extra months! I use my agenda for work and home so I always know what events are coming up and where I need to be.
Tip 2: Invest in a Travel Mug
I bleed coffee. One of my coworkers actually told me that a coffee mug is a staple in my hand every time she sees me in the office. I laughed when she said it, but it is absolutely true. I use to buy Starbucks EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. but that gets SUPER expensive. I’m not going to say I don’t buy Starbucks anymore, because that would be a lie, but I do buy it a lot less now that I have this adorable travel mug.
I’m not the best morning person. Actually, I’m probably the worst. 😉 So in the evening before I go to bed I set up the coffee maker for the next day. This way I can go downstairs, push the start button, and then go back up to get ready. That way when I’m ready to go out the door the coffee is ready.
Tip 3: Setting Alerts on my Phone
I know this contradicts number 1, but my agenda can’t alert me. So I write the details in my agenda and put a generic alert on my phone to notify me of whatever it is I need to do. I always set my alert two days in advance and then on the day, two hours before.
Tip 4: Checklists
This ties in to number one. The agenda has space to write things on each day. I make a checklist for the day. I am one of those people that gets the feeling of accomplishment when I make a check in a box. Sometimes I actually will write something down I have already done just to put a check mark next to it. I know, I’m a little cray, but it really does give me a sense of accomplishment.
I write each to-do item on a separate line along with a check box. I don’t know about you, but I always feel accomplished when I can check a box.
Tip 5: Invest in a Good Pen
I am left handed and the only (yes only) 😂 draw back to that is that I would always smear the ink when I would write. And with my OCD it would bother me. But the clouds parted when I found the fine tip sharpie pen! I LOVE these pens. I have them in a variety of colors and the ink has never smeared while using them. Ever. Yay!
Tip 6: Carry a Pencil Pouch
I’m pretty sure I bought this pencil pouch when I was in college. I still use it to hold my pens but also where I keep all my coupons. That way if I stop by the store I always have my coupons with me.
Tip 7: Have a Nightly Routine
I’m not much of a routine person, but to keep me sane in the morning, I have a routine. I gather all the things I need in the morning the night before. Such as:
Get my bag/briefcase ready for work
Setup the coffee the night before
Have my travel mug cleaned and next to the coffee maker
Layout my outfit
Put my car keys & jewelry next to my bag
Sign school papers (if any)
Gather items the boys need for school/daycare
Doing these things makes getting ready in the morning almost seamless. And believe me, I need all the help I can get in the morning. 😂
Now you know my secrets of how I attempt to juggle my busy life. Again, these are the things/ways that have helped me stay organized. I hope this list has inspired you in case you are like me and struggle with organization.
Well friends, that’s it for this post. Until next time. Xo
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