Hello and Happy Monday!
A couple of my friends who run online businesses like myself have been asking me what I do to stay organized. How I prepped for 2017. So I thought that I would share my tips and how to stay organized throughout 2017 with you here. I also want to say that I am one of the most organized people you will ever meet and I still had work to be done so please know that this “stuff” takes time. Little by little you will be able to cross more off that list and eventually feel lighter and leaner in your work and personal space like I do now!
Below are a few tasks that I have completed in my personal life, my office area as well as online and on my devices. I have also decided to continue doing this quarterly throughout 2017 to keep me on my toes. So don’t stress about getting it all done at once. Just start! Light your favorite candle, put on your favorite music and get this organizing party started today!
Office
Shredded $15 worth of unneeded paperwork, notebooks and tax info from years past. Not sure why I didn’t do this years ago. I was shredding docs from 1998. Really?
Created a new Vision Board for 2017. I am a very visual person so if I have something to look at every day it helps me stay focused. I have post-its on a cork board and goals I want to reach. I even have my favorite fortunes from cookies. Yes I collect them!
Got rid of battery packs, chargers and electronics that were no longer working. Really not sure why I had a freezer bag full of these. Set up an EBay store and sell them if they do work!
Organized folders, office supplies and paperwork. Labels, sharpies decorative boxes, glass jars or vases and paperclips are best for this. I just cleaned out a storage unit so this took the longest but felt so good when I finished.
Created a special space for all of my journals. These are my pride and joy.
Put together a 12 month plan/calendar so I can see everyday what I need to be working towards and to stay ahead of the game. I have always focused on a month at a time. This year I wanted to map out my year and focus on quarterly goals. So far it’s working out for me.
Put away all my old planners and set up my new one for 2017. For some reason I still cannot part with a few of these but at least they are all in one place now. My new planner however is amazing and I am obsessed with it! The best part is that my best friend gave it to me as a Christmas gift. I am extremely picky with my planners and she bought the exact style I love and it has anchors all over it. Love that touch of style as I am originally from RI so the anchor holds a close place to my heart. I’m always posting it on my Instagram. That’s how much I LOVE it!
Set up a work schedule for myself so that I do not feel overwhelmed with my workload. I am one to stay on my computer for 12-14 hours at a time which is awful. I know I can’t do that anymore with my NMO so I have set up times to be on, then research then back on then prep meals, work out etc.
Personal
Donated two suitcases worth of clothes, shoes, and misc items to Goodwill. I know I have more this is just the beginning. I also have a collection of medicine bottles growing to donate to a country who recycles them. I just found out about this charity. I wish I knew about it in May. I would have 100 bottles by now.
Created a new Happiness Board for 2017. I like to have a cork board for work and a cork board for ME! This includes quotes, pictures, just anything that puts a smile on my face 🙂
Add a new thought for my Happiness Jar daily. I created this in December and have been putting a new thought in every day. When you are having a tough day just or at the end of the year you pull out your thoughts and read them.
Journal every single morning. I’ve been doing this since July 2014.
Trying to eat gluten free and dairy free and intake less meat products weekly. I can absolutely see the changes in my body when eating this way. I know it is best for my health so trying my best to stick with it.
Walk at much as I can throughout the week. I’ve gone the past two days in a row. I am so sore right now but on a mission to get back out there today. I tune up my music and power walk for about 3-4 miles. Trying to do 5X this week. Wish me luck…
Meditate daily. Even if for only ten minutes. I go through phases with this. Going to get back on track this week.
Online
Completed a re-brand of kellyanngorman.com.
Updated every single social media page I have. It’s very important to keep your brand and message consistent all across the board. I just finished my Pinterest boards this morning.
Unsubscribed from hundreds of emails that I no longer needed.
Deleted emails and social media accounts that I no longer used.
Created thank you messages for all my new followers in the notes section on my phone. I have thousands to thank so this message makes it so much easier to do.
Computer
Put together an Excel Spreadsheet to track all of my social media, LinkedIn and newsletter subscribers. I tally them every Monday night and at the end of the month to see which outlet is working best for me. I started doing this in a notebook a few months ago but decided an Excel sheet would be best!
Backed up all files in two different places. 10 years of digital files takes forever. Times two!
Organized desktop. I went from 20 folders to 6. Looks so clean now!
Took off all notification pop ups.
Cleaned up task bar!
Phone
Deleted apps I haven’s used in a few months.
Deleted email accounts I no longer needed on phone.
Deleted notes I did not need.
Organized photos into new albums and deleted one the one I did not use.
Organized my iBooks App.
Tablet
Took off all social media and unused apps. I like to use my tablet to watch my webinars or videos while I work on my computer. I use my phone for social media and music. Three devices at once is normal right?
Well that’ it. I still have a few more to check off my list but I think I am off to a great start. I feel so much better working in my space now. Try it! And again leave me a comment below if you need some help or another tip. I would love to help you out…
Oh! I almost forgot to mention my online schedule for you! This is so important to post so your followers know where to find you…And most importantly it keeps me accountable knowing that I must post and follow the outline I have created…
Monday: KAG blog posts here. Spend time in Facebook Groups. IG Stories
Tuesday: Medium blog posts. Spend time in Facebook groups. IG Stories
Wednesday: Newsletters go out! (You can subscribe on home page) Spend time on Facebook. IG Stories
Thursday: LinkedIn posts. Spend time in LinkedIn groups. IG Stories
Friday: Record new show for The Happy Workaholic Podcast. Post LIVE! IG Stories
Lastly, I have been spending more time on Instagram Stories and Facebook so feel free to follow me there.
Have a wonderful week!
Kelly
