Seven things organised people do every day

We reveal the hints and tips organised people live by.

There are certain people in life who seem to be naturally organised, making time in their day for everything and ticking off tasks on their to-do lists like there is no tomorrow. So what's their secret?

These people aren't organised by accident - they have chosen to make organising a part of their daily practice. That's every single day. While that may sound daunting, in reality it isn't a gargantuan task.

Take a look at the following seven things organised people do every day:

1. They plan their day the night before

Taking charge of the day before it happens is key. While of course there is no need to plan your day minute by minute, having a guide as to what you would like to achieve will give your day structure and make you more inclined to be productive. Every evening take five minutes to jot down what needs doing the following day, you may also find this helps you sleep better as you have an action plan in place.

2. They have just one to-do list

To-do lists can be helpful, but when you're carrying around a number of different lists it is easy to lose track. Aim to have just one list on the go at a time, updating and adding to it as you go along.

3. They take 30 minutes every day to respond/clear emails

While many of us spend far longer than 30 minutes checking emails, we don't necessarily deal with them (marking as read doesn't count unfortunately!). To save you from getting overrun with emails, try taking 30 minutes out of your day to go through them and either responding, actioning or archiving your correspondences.

4. They keep a tidy desk

Having a cluttered workspace can be distracting and may lead you to lose important paperwork. At the beginning of each day, give your desk a quick tidy - filing away paperwork and washing up any dirty mugs.

5. They make time for lunch

You may think that working through lunch is more productive, but by not taking a break you will get fatigued and less productive. Take at least 30 minutes away from work to eat something nutritious and if possible walk outside. You'll return to work feeling refreshed and ready to take on the afternoon.

6. They have morning and evening routines

These routines needn't be complicated. Your morning routine could involve a few stretches and a healthy breakfast, while your evening ritual may involve some reading and a relaxing bath. These routines will help set a tone for the time between and will encourage a positive mentality.

7. They spend 10 minutes tidying

At the end of each day, taking just 10 minutes to give the house a quick tidy will help you feel accomplished while keeping on top of the housework. If you have children try to get them involved too.

If you think you would benefit from a little outside help, you may want to consider hiring a life coach. To find out how they could help, please visit our personal development page.

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