How to Stay Organized Amidst the Chaos of Balancing Work, Life and School

Have you ever stepped back and realized that life is extremely chaotic and we are constantly going, going, going? From working overtime to making dinner to the kids’ soccer games, the list can go on and on.
Now throw studying in the mix if you are pursuing a degree; the feeling can at first be overwhelming.
In order to stay afloat in a hectic world, organization is key. It will be helpful to utilize the following tips so you adopt a systematic approach instead of just flying by the seat of your pants.
It’s interesting to note that organized people are characterized by the following traits: efficient, punctual and reliable. Wouldn’t we all wish to be like that? By implementing some simple strategies, someone who considers themselves disorganized will be able to become a more efficient and effective person.

First and foremost, evaluate your current organization strategies.

• Do you compile a daily to-do list?
• What does your desk look like?
• Do you have a pile of papers lying around your house in no particular order?

Assessing how you prioritize your daily activities and tasks will help determine whether you are working efficiently or against yourself. Also, throw out any old/outdated papers or file them away if you absolutely cannot part ways with them.

Second, establish a plan.
Prioritizing and time management are vital skills to implement when creating a plan. Prioritizing helps decrease that overwhelming feeling, and it’s an effective way to determine what tasks are truly time sensitive and need attention immediately versus the tasks that are less important.
Additionally, prioritizing should mean creating checklists, which ultimately allow you to stay on task (time management) and not get sidetracked by the inevitable daily distractions.
When you’ve finally established a plan and developed some strategies, it’s time to utilize them. Don’t let your hard work go to waste; think about how much more effective and valuable you will be. Most importantly, it’s you who has the opportunity to direct your life, so try to do it in the way that is most beneficial to you.