How to be Organized for School, College or Life [The 6 Habits of Highly Organized People]

Summary

In this video, professional organizer Nicole from NeatNik shares six habits of highly organized people. She emphasizes the importance of simplicity in organization systems, establishing daily and weekly routines, assigning a specific place for every item, maintaining an up-to-date to-do list, avoiding perfectionism, and regularly decluttering. These practices can enhance focus, time management, productivity, and reduce stress, ultimately leading to a more balanced and flexible life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Everyone experiences feeling overwhelmed by disorganization.
• 😀 Being organized helps you focus on goals, prioritize tasks, and be more productive.
• 😀 Habit 1: Keep it simple with easy-to-maintain systems.
• 😀 Habit 2: Develop routines for regular tasks to save time and mental effort.
• 😀 Habit 3: Have a place for everything and put everything in its place.
• 😀 Habit 4: Keep a current and detailed to-do list for daily tasks and long-term projects.
• 😀 Habit 5: Avoid perfectionism; focus on progress and action.
• 😀 Habit 6: Regularly toss things and purge routinely to stay organized.
• 😀 Organizing is not a separate event but an ongoing part of daily life.
• 😀 Seek professional advice from sources like NeatNik and Memorize Academy for more tips.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video script?

The main topic of the video script is about how to become more organized and the habits of highly organized people.

Why is it important to be organized according to the script?

Being organized helps you to focus on your goals, prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, work efficiently, reduce stress, achieve balance, and increase flexibility and enthusiasm.

What are the six habits that highly organized people have in common as mentioned in the script?

The six habits are: 1) Keep it simple, 2) Develop routines, 3) Have a place for everything and put everything in its place, 4) Keep a current and detailed to-do list, 5) Don’t get bogged down by perfectionism, and 6) Toss things daily and purge routinely.

What does 'Keep it simple' mean in the context of the script?

'Keep it simple' means to avoid overly complicated organizational systems and to choose systems that are easy to use and maintain.

How does developing routines help with organization?

Developing routines helps manage time more effectively, saves mental effort by reducing the need for constant planning and rescheduling, and ensures important tasks are consistently prioritized.

What is the significance of having a place for everything and putting everything in its place?

It ensures that you know where things belong, making it easier to maintain order and avoid clutter, which is essential for both physical and digital organization.

Why is maintaining a current and detailed to-do list important for staying organized?

A current and detailed to-do list helps with planning, setting smaller steps towards achieving larger goals, and provides a central place to track daily tasks and long-term projects.

How does avoiding perfectionism contribute to being organized?

Avoiding perfectionism allows for progress without the pressure of doing everything perfectly. It encourages prioritization, taking shortcuts, and focusing on what's truly important.

What does the script suggest about the regular practice of tossing and purging?

The script suggests that organized people make tossing and purging a daily habit, not waiting for specific times, which helps them maintain order and declutter their lives continuously.

Where can one get more advice on organizing physical spaces as mentioned in the script?

For more advice on organizing physical spaces, one can visit Neatnik, as suggested in the script.

What resource is offered for learning about organizing knowledge and information in memory?

Memorize Academy is offered as a resource for learning about organizing knowledge and information in memory, as mentioned in the script.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Essential Habits for Organization

The first paragraph introduces the topic of organization and the benefits of adopting a structured lifestyle. It highlights the advice from Nicole, a professional organizer, who shares six common habits of highly organized people. These habits are not limited to physical spaces but can be applied to various aspects of life. The benefits of being organized include increased focus, better time management, reduced stress, and enhanced productivity. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of simplicity in organizational systems, the development of routines, and having designated places for belongings to maintain order.

05:01

📝 Maintaining Organization Through Daily Practices

The second paragraph continues the theme of organization by emphasizing the importance of maintaining a current and detailed to-do list, avoiding perfectionism, and regularly purging unnecessary items. It suggests that organized people integrate these practices into their daily routines rather than treating them as separate events. The paragraph concludes by directing viewers to Neatnik for professional organizing advice and Memorize Academy for tips on organizing knowledge and information in memory, inviting them to return for more content.

Keywords

💡Organized

Being 'organized' refers to the state of having a systematic arrangement or structure. It is central to the video's theme, which is about achieving a more orderly and efficient lifestyle. The script mentions that organized people have habits that allow them to focus, prioritize tasks, and manage time effectively, such as 'Keep it simple' and 'Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place.'

💡Habit

A 'habit' is a routine practice or behavior that is regularly performed and tends to occur subconsciously. The video discusses six habits that highly organized people have in common, which are essential for maintaining an organized life. These habits are integral to the video's narrative as they provide actionable steps for viewers to become more organized.

💡Productivity

'Productivity' is the efficiency of productive activity, often measured in terms of the rate of output per unit of input. The video emphasizes that being organized can lead to increased productivity, as it allows for more effective task management and time management. For instance, the script states that an organized person 'works more economically and is more productive.'

💡Routine

A 'routine' is a sequence of actions regularly followed; a fixed program. The video suggests developing routines as a key habit for organization, which helps manage time more effectively and reduces the mental effort of continual planning. Examples from the script include creating morning and evening routines for regular tasks.

💡Time Management

'Time management' is the act or process of planning and controlling how much time is used for each activity in order to increase efficiency or productivity. The script highlights time management as a benefit of being organized, stating that it allows for more effective work and achieving more balance in life.

💡To-Do List

A 'to-do list' is a list of tasks or actions to be completed. The video emphasizes the importance of keeping a current and detailed to-do list as part of being organized. It is a tool for planning and tracking progress towards goals, as mentioned in the script when it advises to 'Keep a current and detailed to-do list.'

💡Perfectionism

'Perfectionism' is the高标准or ideal of perfection. The video advises viewers not to get bogged down by perfectionism, suggesting that being organized is more about making progress than achieving flawless results. The script points out that 'You don’t have to be perfect to be organized.'

💡Stress

'Stress' is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or demanding circumstances. The video posits that being organized can lead to less stress, as it helps in achieving more balance and flexibility in life. The script mentions that being organized can make one 'less stressed.'

💡Purge

'Purge' in the context of organization refers to the act of clearing out or getting rid of unnecessary items. The video suggests that organized people routinely purge items, which is part of their daily practice to maintain order. The script states, 'Toss things daily and purge routinely.'

💡Professional Organizer

A 'professional organizer' is someone who provides organizing solutions and helps clients manage their personal or business space. The video script introduces Nicole from NeatNik as a professional organizer whose advice is sought for organizing tips, indicating the value of professional expertise in achieving and maintaining organization.

💡Freedom from Chaos

'Freedom from chaos' refers to the state of being free from disorder or confusion. The video suggests that organization can lead to this state, which is characterized by more energy and enthusiasm. The script mentions that once you achieve 'freedom from chaos,' you might have 'more energy and enthusiasm.'

Highlights

Being organized can help you focus, prioritize tasks, set and achieve goals more efficiently.

Organization leads to better time management, increased productivity, reduced stress, and a more balanced life.

Six habits of highly organized people can be applied to organizing anything, not just physical spaces.

Keep it simple - complex organizational systems are hard to maintain and often not worth the effort.

Develop routines for daily or weekly tasks to manage time more effectively and reduce mental effort.

Turn important tasks into routines and structure the rest of your life around them.

Identify your best times for various activities like studying, exercising, socializing, etc.

Develop morning and evening routines for regular tasks to ensure consistency.

Have a designated place for everything to make it easier to put items away and maintain organization.

Avoid putting things down temporarily - always take the time to place items in their proper location.

Maintain a current and detailed to-do list to plan and stay organized.

Work backwards from your end goal to determine the smaller steps needed to achieve it.

Use a central list for all tasks, whether in a physical notebook or a digital format.

Transfer random reminders to your main list to keep it current and avoid losing track of tasks.

Setting deadlines can help you complete tasks and stay organized.

Don't let perfectionism hinder organization - focus on progress and action rather than perfection.

Prioritize tasks and learn to take shortcuts to get things done quickly and efficiently.

Be honest about what's really important to avoid getting bogged down by unimportant tasks.

Organized people constantly declutter and reevaluate their possessions as part of their daily routine.

Cleaning off your desk, deleting old files, and throwing out expired food are examples of daily purging habits.

Organizing is an ongoing process, not a separate event - integrate it into your daily life.

For professional advice on organizing physical spaces, visit Neatnik.

To learn more about organizing knowledge and information in your memory, check out Memorize Academy.

Transcripts

How can you be more organized?

Everyone has experienced that overwhelming feeling that your life is one giant mess.

As a student, parent or average person you’ve got a lot going on and it can be a real challenge

to get in control and stay there.

So what’s the best way to get your life organized?

I asked Nicole from NeatNik for her advice, because she is a professional organizer.

It turns out there are 6 habits highly organized people have in common.

What’s really interesting about these top tips is you can apply them to organizing anything,

not just a physical space.

Now you might be wondering why you should even care about being organized, so let’s

see if any of these reasons blow your hair back.

You’ll be more focused on what you want to achieve, be able to prioritize your tasks,

and set and achieve your goals more efficiently.

You’ll manage your time more effectively, work more economically and be more productive.

You’ll be less stressed, achieve more balance in your life and be more flexible.

And you might even have more energy and enthusiasm once you’ve achieved freedom from chaos.

Sound good?

Ok, here’s how to do it – habit number one.

Keep it simple.

Elaborate organizational systems are hard to maintain, and most of the time – they’re

not worth the effort.

Whether you’re organizing your sock drawer or your class notes, have as few steps as

possible, otherwise it’ll be too frustrating to maintain over time.

Going crazy with a fancy color coding system might look pretty cool, but the effort can

outweigh the benefits.

Choose a system that’s easy to use, and you’ll become more productive, not less.

Develop routines.

If there are things you have to do every day or week, create set routines about when and

how you do them.

This is about managing your time more effectively, and saving yourself the mental effort of continual

planning and re-scheduling.

Turn your important tasks into routines and fit the rest of your life around them, not

the other way around.

When is your best time to study, exercise, socialize, clean your home or relax?

Develop morning and evening routines for your regular tasks, whether it’s study or putting

out the recycling.

Anybody’s routines can get broken but always try to get your groove back as soon as possible.

Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place.

This might be common sense but it’s not always common practice.

If you don’t know where things belong, you can’t put them away.

You might have a shelf for all your text books and class notes, a special section of your

closet for your winter clothes, or folders on your computer for all your assignments.

So this works for physical things or digital things or even your knowledge like I teach

at Memorize Academy.

Try not to put something down temporarily, but take a few extra seconds to put it where

it belongs.

Every time.

Keep a current and detailed to-do list.

Don’t be mistaken, it takes planning to be organized.

Work backwards by starting with your end goal, and then decide what smaller steps you’ll

follow to get there.

Try to keep lists for daily tasks as well as longer term projects.

And use a central list for everything, whether it’s in a physical notebook or a digital

list on your computer or phone.

If you write random reminders on loose pieces of paper, make sure you transfer them to your

main list, and keep it current.

And giving yourself deadlines can help you to get things done and crossed off your list.

Don’t get bogged down by perfectionism.

You don’t have to be perfect to be organized, so don’t think you need to get everything

done, and done exactly right.

Prioritize tasks and try to learn where and how you can take shortcuts and how to get

things done quickly.

Be honest and think about what’s really important.

The end goal is progress, so it’s less about perfection and more about action.

Toss things daily and purge routinely.

Organized people don’t wait for a free weekend or an open block of time to get themselves

and their lives in order.

They constantly cross things off their list, throw things away, reevaluate what they own,

and tidy their house and the way they operate.

They may take a few minutes each night to clean off their desk, delete old files from

their computer or emails from their inbox, or throw out the expired food from the refrigerator.

Organizing is not a separate event – it’s part of their day.

There you have it.

Whether you’re organizing your room or home, your computer, the way you study, the way

you think, your social life or the goals you want to achieve, these six habits will get

you streamlined and heading in the right direction.

Keep it simple.

Develop routines.

Have a place for everything, and put everything in its place.

Keep a current and detailed to-do list.

Don’t get bogged down by perfectionism.

Toss things daily and purge routinely.

If you’d like to get advice from a professional organizer on organizing your room, home or

physical space, head over to Neatnik for some more great tips.

And as always, to learn more about organizing knowledge and information in your memory,

head over to Memorize Academy.

Thanks for watching, I’ll see you again soon, bye!