19 August 2025

In today's fast-paced world, staying organised can be a daunting task. With the constant influx of information and the myriad of distractions, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. However, by implementing a few key strategies, you can regain control and enhance your productivity. Here are five main points to help you stay organised in the age of distraction.

1. Identify Areas of Disorganisation

The first step to getting organised is to take an honest look at your life and identify areas where disorganisation prevails. This could be at home, work, or in your daily activities. Make a list of these areas and tackle them one by one. Disorganisation can stem from various sources such as life events, bad habits, upbringing, social networks, or even chronic disorganisation. Recognising the root cause of your disorganisation is crucial in addressing it effectively.

2. Create Realistic Goals

Setting realistic and achievable goals is essential for staying organised. Start by writing down your goals, breaking them into smaller, manageable steps, and prioritising these steps. Set milestones to track your progress and be specific about what you want to achieve. Using tools like spreadsheets or apps can help you keep track of your actions and measure your progress. Remember, it's important to focus on one thing at a time and create a schedule that you can stick to.

3. Get Everyone on the Same Page

Whether it's your family, work colleagues, or others you interact with daily, getting everyone on the same page is vital for maintaining organisation. At home, using tools like Google Calendar can help synchronise everyone's schedules and set reminders. At work, implementing changes gradually and learning to say "no" more often can help create a more organised environment. Perseverance and patience are key to getting everyone to work together towards a common goal.

4. Craft a Plan of Action

Developing a detailed plan of action is crucial for staying organised. Start by scheduling structured activities like work or school and then fit in other tasks around these. Creating a menu for meals, scheduling errands logically, and delegating tasks can save time and reduce stress. By planning your meals in advance and ensuring you have enough time for each task, you can avoid feeling rushed and overwhelmed.

5. Create Realistic To-Do Lists

To-do lists are a great way to stay organised, but they need to be realistic. Avoid making your lists too long and prioritise tasks based on urgency. Tackling the most disliked tasks first can give you a sense of accomplishment and make the rest of the list seem more manageable. Keeping your planner up to date and choosing a system that works for you, whether it's a paper planner, a PC-based planner, or a mobile app, is essential for staying on track.

By following these five main points, you can stay organised and productive even in the age of distraction. Remember, the key is to identify areas of disorganisation, set realistic goals, get everyone on the same page, craft a detailed plan of action, and create realistic to-do lists. With these strategies in place, you'll be well on your way to a more organised and less stressful life.

Staying Organised in the Age of Distraction QUIZ

Answer these 10 questions with a YES / NO answer and see if you have a good sense of organisation in your day. The answers to these questions are at the bottom of the quiz.

1) Is identifying areas of disorganisation the correct first step to getting organised?

( YES / NO )

2) Is setting unrealistic goals recommended in order to stay organised?

( YES / NO )

3) Is it a smart idea to use tools like Google Calendar to synchronize schedules at home?

( YES / NO )

4) Is it sensible to tackle the most disliked tasks first to make the rest of the ‘to-do’ list seem more manageable?

( YES / NO )

5) Is it recommended to create a detailed plan of action to stay organised?

( YES / NO )

6) Is it advised to make to-do lists as long as possible to ensure all tasks are covered?

( YES / NO )

7) Is it important when leading a team to get everyone on the same page for maintaining organisation?

( YES / NO )

8) Is it sensible when attaining goals to avoid using any tools or apps to track progress and measure the progress of your goals that are set?

( YES / NO )

9) Is it sensible to schedule in your day structured activities like work or school first when crafting a plan of action?

( YES / NO )

10) Is it best to focus on multiple tasks at once to stay organised?

( YES / NO )

Answers:

1 – YES.  2 – NO.  3 – YES.  4 – YES.  5 – YES.  6 – NO.  7 – YES.  8 – NO. 

9 – YES. 10 – NO.