One reason I started Create Your Own Reality is that I wanted to build a life that I love living, and I want to help other people do the same.
Creating a life you love starts with getting your life organized! So today, we’re going to look at the eight tips that can help you organize your life so you can meet ANY goal you may have!
Brainstorm your goals
Before you do anything, make a list of the things you want to accomplish. At this point, we’re talking big picture stuff. Maybe you want to move into a bigger house or start your own business. Maybe you want to get healthier or have a solid morning routine.
Whatever your goals are, write them down! Don’t over think them and don’t worry about them being “too big” or “unrealistic.” Open yourself up to the possibility that you can have what you want if you’re willing to work to create it.
Prioritize
You can’t tackle everything at once. Even when you try, your attention can only really be on one task at a time, so prioritize your goals.
If you have goals that are more time-sensitive, you might want to put them towards the top of the list. Otherwise, decide what goals are the most important to you and which goals you would like to see achieved first.
Make a plan
For each of your goals, consider the steps it would take to achieve that goal.
Then make a plan detailing the specific actions you will take, complete with a realistic time table (more on this in a moment).
Repeat for each of your goals until have a concrete plan for everything you want to achieve.
Side note: While it’s difficult to be actively working on more than one goal at the exact same time, it is possible to have more than one plan going at the same time, depending on the scale of the plans.
For example, if two of your goals are to save for a house and build a morning routine, you can likely work on them at the same time since they’re in different areas of your life. But if two of your goals are to save for a house and save of a trip around the world, you’ll see success sooner if you focus on one plan at a time.
Respect time
As you plan, respect the fact that there are only twenty-four hours in a day, seven days in a week, four weeks in a month, and twelve months in a year.
Be realistic about how much time you have and what you can reasonably accomplish in that time. When in doubt, under-plan.
This may seem like I’m telling you to go easy on yourself, but really, this will set you up for success.
It’s easy to get discouraged if you find that you’re not sticking to your time table. It becomes easy to think that if you can’t stick to your time table, you’ll never reach your goals, and your dreams are never going to come true.
On the other hand, it’s easy to feel successful if you’re able to stick to your time table and see some kind of progress. Even if you’re just taking a small step forward, you’re likely to feel more successful if you’re meeting your check points. And if you feel successful, you’re more likely to stick with your plan until you reach your goals.
If you find you seriously under-scheduled, you can always work ahead and reach your goals even sooner than you expected.
Learn to say no
If you’re giving more of your time, money, and energy to your goals and plans, it means you don’t have as much time, money, and energy to give you other people and activities.
Learn to turn down invites to things you don’t want/don’t have the time to attend, and learn to tell people you can’t help them out this time around.
Of course, if you have people in your life that you care about, you can’t say no all the time, but if there is someone else who can help, if your presence is not really required, or if there’s a time that works better for you, take advantage of that!
If you don’t prioritize and protect your goals and plans, no one else will.
Delegate
Related to the point above, learn to delegate tasks when you can, especially if it’ll help you reach your goals.
For example, if one of your goals requires more money, you may end up working more often or working later.
If you’ve also been the person who makes dinner, see if you can delegate that task to someone else some of the time. And sometimes, you might delegate that task to the Chinese place on the way home.
If you’re shifting your priorities to accommodate your goals, it means you may need some help. There’s no shame in asking for it!
Let go of shit that doesn’t matter
There is a lot that happens every day that’s outside of our control. Some of it matters, but some of it doesn’t. Don’t let yourself get caught up in the shit that doesn’t matter.
For instance, maybe you have a really rude coworker. He’s not hurting anyone or anything, he’s just short, rude, and generally irritated to work with. Don’t bring that irritation home with you. You need your time and energy outside of work to focus on your goals and plans. Instead, except your coworker for as he is, and let that shit go so you can put your energy where it needs to be.
You have more control over the stress and drama in your life than you realize. In most situations, you can simply opt out. If you can, do it!
Simplify when possible
Another way to stay focused on your goals and what really matters is to simplify your life and situations at every opportunity.
If you find yourself involved in or considering doing something that “would be nice” but wouldn’t be missed if it didn’t happen, then this is likely an area to simplify!
For example, if it’s your turn to host the next family holiday, it would be nice if you took the time to fold the napkins in a fun and fancy way, but would it really change the event if they were just folded into traditional rectangles? No. It wouldn’t.
Save yourself time and energy. If you can cut something for your to do list or your life with minimal impact, do it!
Sound off: What tips and tricks do you use to organize your life? Tell us about it in the comments!