Organizing and time management don’t come naturally to many people, but they can be learned. Julie Morgenstern, author of SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life, offers tips on getting yourself organized and managing your time for your own benefit.

When you’re physically organized and good at managing your schedule, you make the most of your time, space, energy, and money. And of course, being organized makes almost anything possible, because all of your resources can be invested in the pursuit of your dreams.

Some people believe organization is about neatness or rigidity or a “one-size-fits-all” solution, but if your system is designed properly, the opposite is true. Organizing isn’t about neatness; it’s about function. And organizational systems can be as unique to an individual as his own fingerprint. The key is to custom-design your system around your natural habits and the way you think so that it brings out your best self, rather than restricting you. A good system will help you optimize your resources, interests, and passions and be easy to maintain. Being organized (in your physical space) is as simple as being able to find what you need, when you need it, and to feel comfortable in your space.

Good time management involves the ability to plan systematically and anticipate your needs. It requires you to know yourself exceedingly well: your energy cycles, natural energy sources, the length of time you can focus on any particular task, and what you are good at. It also involves the ability to adjust your schedule, break down overwhelming projects into manageable parts, and delegate effectively.

How Can I Improve My Organization?

Organizing and time management don’t come naturally to many people, but they can be learned. When you are ready to apply these tips to your own space and schedule, the key is to think function — not neatness:

1. Custom-design your system. Don’t copy anyone else’s system — not your boss’s, your spouse’s, or your best friend’s. You don’t think like they do, so why would you want a replica of their system? Think about your own goals, habits, and style, and design your system accordingly.
2. Think kindergarten. A kindergarten classroom is the perfect model for organizing any space or schedule. There are clearly defined zones for each activity — a spot for reading, a place for napping, and an arts and crafts corner. For more information on adapting my activity zone model to your space and your schedule, read my first book, Organizing from the Inside Out.
3. Organize the basics first. Your handbag, briefcase, and/or wallet are the most frequently accessed reflections of your ability to organize, so get those together first. At home, jump-start your sense of control by tackling your entryway, the bathroom, and your underwear and sock drawers. These are the most frequented areas in most homes, and organizing them will take the least amount of time. Starting with those key areas will give you a new daily sense of freedom and control. The rewards you reap will likely inspire you to tackle a bigger organizing project later.
4. Study yourself. Highly organized people know themselves exceedingly well. Become a nonjudgmental student of yourself and determine your optimal conditions for peak performance. Track your energy cycles, noting the times of day when you have the most/least energy, when your energy starts to fade and what activity (a phone call, chat with a friend, catnap, reading the newspaper, exercising, drinking a glass of water) acts as a natural energy extender. Use a stop watch to time yourself doing routine tasks (at home and work) so you know how long they take. To study more about your personal relationship to time, read Time Management from the Inside Out.
5. Learn your concentration threshold. What is the ideal amount of time you can focus on reading, writing, paperwork, leisure, cleaning, exercising, or a meeting? Is it four hours or forty-five minutes? Once you know how long you are able to focus on a particular activity, you can set yourself up for success. Plan tasks that won’t be either too much or too little for the time you have available. For more tips on how to boost your productivity and mental energy, read Never Check E-Mail in the Morning.
6. Hire a pro or find a friend. Organizing can be difficult, because you get caught up in questioning your own needs (or changing them all together), so you never even get to setting up your system. You’ll have an easier time getting organized if you get an outside perspective. A friend or professional will take your needs at face value and help build a system around them. For referrals to a professional organizer near you, contact www.napo.net.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Julie Morgenstern is the New York Times bestselling author of SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life (Copyright © 2008 by Julie Morgenstern), Organizing from the Inside Out, Time Management from the Inside Out, and Never Check E-Mail in the Morning. She lives in New York City. Visit her at www.juliemorgenstern.com and join the free SHED community.

MORE ARTICLES BY THE AUTHOR

• 7 Ways to Shorten Your Workday
• 6 Ways to Break Your Habit of Procrastinating

LEARN MORE

• Read Chapter 1 of SHED Your Stuff, Change Your Life: A Four-Step Guide to Getting Unstuck
  
• Get the author’s top 5 tips on how to get rid of clutter for good and more
• Watch the video: Julie Morgenstern on how to SHED your stuff