7 Smart Ideas for Getting Organized at the Start of the New Year
It’s that time of year again: New Year’s resolutions are being made, plans for the year ahead are being set, and a flurry of activity is sweeping the country. But have you stopped to think about your organizational needs? It’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and lose sight of what matters most.
We’re here to help! To get you started organizing your life this new year, we’ve rounded up a list of 7 smart ideas for getting organized at the start of the new year.
1) Declutter Your Life
Are you ready for a fresh start? Whether you’re moving, forming a new business, or simply feeling overwhelmed with endless to-do lists and piles of papers, decluttering can be a step toward creating more space in your life and getting organized.
2) Small Goals Build Momentum for Bigger Goals
Have you ever read a book or listened to a podcast and felt like that speaker was reading your mind? Creating small goals at the start of the year will build momentum for larger goals. For example, your goal for the year might be to improve your health. That might mean following a stricter diet plan, exercising daily, or maybe starting an exercise program.
3) Clean Out Your House
If you’re looking to declutter, your home is a good place to start. Once you’re ready to let go, look at all the items that are taking up space and environmental elements that need attention. Are there things lying around that don’t get used? Are you even able to remember when you bought them? Sort through everything you own and determine what can go; consider renting a dumpster to make sure all your trash needs are sorted.
4) Get a Start on Taxes by Gathering Your Receipts and Bank Statements From the Previous Year
First, gather your receipts and bank statements from the previous year, so you know exactly how much money you’ve spent throughout the year. You can also include receipts that show sales made on your credit cards.
5) Establish Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Schedules
If you’ve lost the habit of daily scheduling, now’s the time to establish a schedule. Create a daily schedule that includes all your daily activities, from work to trips to spare time. Try starting with 10-minute intervals and doing it every morning and night.
6) Identify Your Top Five Priorities
Write down on a piece of paper or create an electronic list of the top five most important items you need to get done this year. Priorities can include both personal and professional life, big and small goals. Make sure the list includes active items you can accomplish–not passive items, such as “eat healthier” or “spend more time with family.” You can do this by either making a list of goals or writing a list of qualities you want to change about yourself.
7) Create a Budget and Make a Budget Plan
Create a budget when you’ve identified the top five items on your priority list. The best way to do this is by creating a monthly budget that reflects how much you expect to spend in each category for the entire month. Make sure to include your anticipated travel expenses and monthly savings goals.
Hopefully, you can see how these simple steps can help get you on the road to the next year and a new chapter in your life.
