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Lately, 24 hours just doesn't seem like quite enough time in the day! Between school, extra curricular activities, social life and physical wellness (not to mention figuring out how to navigate the real world and get a real job... yikes!), it always seems like I have a mountain of things to get done. This quarter, however, I have come up with a few tips that helped me get and stay organized— and they've helped so much. I'm sharing them here:
1. Make a giant to do list. I have a running word document on my desk top titled "To Do," that is broken down into categories like "Homework," "Sorority," "Blog," "Jobs," etc. Within each category I update a bulleted list of tasks and their due dates, with the most important items bolded. I update this list every evening, so I know what my priorities are for the next day. Plus, writing everything down takes the burden of remembering little things off my memory!
2. Do a little bit every day. Call me a workaholic, but I don't like taking days off. I think it interrupts my work flow. Plus, it is so much harder to start again than to continue with a habit (I'll be writing about this idea in more detail later this week). Whether it is sending a few emails you've been avoiding or finishing up an application, keep the momentum going by getting at least one thing done every day.
3. Write everything down. I am a yellow Post It note addict— my dorm room is covered in these! Whether it is an inspirational quote I liked, a "to do" item I had forgotten about or an idea that came to me when I was in the shower, I take a minute to write down any important thoughts I have on paper or type them on the computer. There is nothing worse than forgetting a good idea and trying to remember it later!
4. Take control of your email (finally). This is one of the best and most frustrating things I have committed to lately. I get so many emails every day— a lot of which are junk— and sometimes feel overwhelmed by how to respond to things. Now, I leave emails marked as "unread" until I either delete, read or reply to the email. Furthermore, I always proofread. Even if you are replying something that seems straightforward, re-read the initial email you received and re-read your response to make sure the tone is appropriate and you've hit on everything you want to address.
5. Set aside an hour per week for taking care of yourself. For me, this happens on the weekend. I take a really long shower and put on a face mask, shave, paint my nails and blow out my hair. During this time, take stock of any personal maintenance appointments you might need to make during the upcoming week— do you need a hair cut? To visit the dentist? To refill a prescription? Add it to your above-mentioned "To Do" list.
6. Start using a digital calendar. I am an iCal fanatic. While there has been recent push back about the dangers of over-scheduling, I think it is important for me to keep track of class, meetings and social engagements. I view iCal, which syncs between my computer, phone and iPad, as a way to make sure my week is balanced. In fact, some days I even schedule in time for myself (i.e. the appointments I just referenced).
7. Drink OJ, exercise often. Nothing kills productivity like getting sick. I try to drink a glass of fresh OJ every day (in fact it has replaced my afternoon coffee) for a Vitamin C boost. Plus, I try to keep a clear head by working out regularly. A healthy body makes for a healthy mind!
xoxo,
Ashley
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