Being Organised For The Un-Organised

Have you ever felt like keeping your life in order is trickier than you expected? I know I have. It can be tough when your mind moves faster than most to stay on top of everything, especially when juggling a business or a busy career.

In this podcast, I dive into a few strategies I've relied on to boost my organisation. While they come from my long journey as an entrepreneur, they apply just as well to your day job and personal life. The goal is to reduce stress, clarify priorities and keep you moving forward. Below, you’ll find a quick summary of the key lessons, along with some helpful tips you can try right away.

Why Organisation Matters

When everything feels chaotic, it’s tempting to give up on tidiness altogether. Yet taking small steps to organise your tasks can free up mental bandwidth for the more creative pieces of your life. I’ve noticed that when I’m organised, I get less distracted and feel more confident about tackling new ideas.

It’s also a way to respect your own brain. If you have dyslexia or ADHD, you might already be well-acquainted with random spurts of focus followed by dips in motivation. A good system that matches your strengths can genuinely help you ride those waves.

“You can’t always predict what your brain will throw at you, but organisation keeps you on track.”

Keep Your Goals in Sight

Setting a single big goal is easy to forget. Break it into meaningful milestones that motivate you. Write them in bold letters somewhere you’ll see them every day. That visual reminder can make a difference when your mind wants to wander.

One trick is to focus on the next two or three steps, instead of the 20 steps down the road:

• Pick one core objective for the month.
• Set mini-goals each week that move you closer.
• Review them daily to track progress.

Once you see you’re ticking off smaller tasks, you’ll feel momentum build, which is a great motivator.

Embrace Tools That Work

There are countless productivity apps, but that doesn’t mean you need all of them. Try a couple and stick with what simplifies your life. If you don't like a particular app, move on swiftly. Don’t force something that feels clumsy—it’ll only add to the chaos.

I personally use a basic calendar app and a to-do manager that syncs across my devices. Keep it simple. A note-taking tool can also help if you often misplace scraps of paper or forget random ideas.

Remember to schedule in breathing room. Block out time for breaks, personal errands, or just open space to recharge. This helps avoid burnout and keeps you fresh for the bigger tasks.

Simplify Your Processes

Complicating your routines can leave you frazzled. When you’re busy, chaos creeps in quickly. Instead, build simple habits or rituals around everyday tasks.

• Group similar tasks together—batch emails or phone calls.
• Mark a dedicated time for scanning through your messages.
• Set up automated reminders for bills and recurring tasks.

These small changes minimise decision anxiety. You can then use that extra mental space for meaningful work or for simply breathing and enjoying the day.

Make Time for Reflection

It sounds strange, but pausing to reflect can sharpen your focus. Spend a quick moment at the end of the day asking yourself what went well and what felt messy. You’ll spot areas to fine-tune. This mental check-in is also a neat way to celebrate small wins—something we usually forget.

Reflection doesn’t have to be long or formal. Write a quick journal entry, or do a mental recap in the shower. Let yourself appreciate the progress you’ve made, even if it’s tiny. That sense of accomplishment fuels motivation for tomorrow.

• Recap your day to see where you spent your energy.
• Note any hiccups that repeatedly appear.
• Adjust your plan for the following day accordingly.

Key Takeaways

• Break big goals into smaller, achievable milestones.
• Test a few productivity tools—use what fits naturally.
• Keep routines and processes easy to follow.
• Regularly reflect on what’s working (and what isn’t).
• Respect your brain’s need for downtime.

If you’d like to hear me elaborate and share personal examples from my entrepreneurial journey, the podcast’s audio player is at the top of the page. Grab a cup of tea, listen to the full episode and let me know what resonates with you. Together, we can keep our lives on track, one step at a time.