Organize by sticking to your routine

I've read that some people think having a routine is like being stuck in the mud. Sometimes is it referred to as being stuck in a rut. That implies that you are not getting anywhere, that a routine is bad and you shouldn't have a routine. Don't fall for it.

A routine is good for you. Your routine keeps you on track. If you have a certain set of tasks you do each day, your routine makes sure you get those tasks done and don't forget any. That's good! If you follow a routine for exercise or other activities you want to accomplish on a daily, every-other-day, or weekly basis, it will keep you on track. That doesn't mean your life is dull or boring. Those who sit there not doing anything because they have no routine are the ones who are bored. They don't know what to do next and forget to do some things they needed or wanted to do. So not only are they bored, but they are also discouraged because of their lack of routine. A routine helps keep your life exciting.

A routine is a way to be grounded. Your routine gives a perspective and balance in your life. You can appreciate where you are because you have put a lot of work into getting there. Look at your routine. Tweak it if you must. Use your routine to build an exciting, well-balanced life. Then sit back and enjoy the balance your life has while others wander around aimlessly. You can laugh at them because they have no routine to keep them grounded while they accuse you of being stuck in the mud. You are the one who is going places.

Set a routine

Setting a routine of doing the same things the same day of the week or the same time each day can really help a person stay organized and on top of things. For example, I like to recharge my shaver each week on Monday. That way I don't get to the middle of the week and all of a sudden the shaver is too weak to finish the job. I can plug it in and finish shaving, but that would make me seem unorganized and it wouldn't be as efficient.

Map out a routine: Decide which things you need to do daily, weekly, monthly, or annually. Then set a certain time of the day, week, month, or year to do that task. Having it set as a routine will mean you are less likely to forget. People will comment about how organized you are. That will feel good.

Include reminders: Even this "routine" system can require reminders. Yesterday was Monday. I forgot to recharge my shaver. I thought of it last night as I brushed my teeth to get ready for bed. I didn't want to leave it plugged in overnight, since it takes less than an hour to fully recharge. So I got out the cord and laid it on the counter so I would remember in the morning. It was good I put the reminder out there, because I caught myself putting my shaver away this morning when I noticed the cord laying there. Without that reminder I would have forgotten. Maybe you are not as forgetful as I am, or maybe you are in denial. I would recommend giving yourself reminders just to be sure, especially if it is a monthly or annual task. You can use Google Calendar or Zoho Planner to send yourself an email reminder in advance. Or set a To Do List pop-up reminder like I do for most of my upcoming recurring tasks.

Do unfavorable things first: There are some things that we don't like to do as much as others. I do vacuum maintenance at work each Wednesday night, the beginning of my work week. The vacuums need cleaning and checking to make sure they work properly. The hose is usually plugged up with straw wrappers or sugar packets which no one will admit to not picking up before vacuuming. So I routinely clean them out so they can't come up with the excuse "I can't vacuum tonight, the vacuums aren't working." Cleaning a vacuum is not my idea of having fun. But by having it pop up on my To Do List, I get it done right away and don't have to think about it the rest of the week.

At work or at home: These routines are good to set whether you are at home or at work. Being highly organized at work and completely unorganized at home doesn't make sense. What is good for one is good for the other. So, make a routine, stick with it, and feel good about yourself!