The Master List

Welcome to a more organized you!

How many of you would like more time in your day? Or have the kitchen pantry more organized? Whether the clutter in your life is at a minimum or at an all time high, the goal of this column is to provide you with some helpful tips that will save you time and money. So let’s get started!

As a professional organizer in Manhattan, I work with lots of modern Jewish moms – just like you! These moms are busy moms (what mom isn’t busy?), shuffling their kids from Hebrew School to play practice to soccer games. Nights are spent making dinner and helping their kids with homework and by the time 10pm rolls around, many of these women wonder where their day went.

This month, here are some tips to organize your time.

Get it on paper. Write a master list of all the things you have to do. Don’t censor yourself or pass judgment – just get it all down on paper. Once you’ve finished, review your list and separate the activities into similar categories – for example, phone calls to make, errands to run, emails to return, etc. Then, block out a set time to complete similar activities, as opposed from jumping from one activity to another. You will find that it’s easier to complete all of your phone calls if you get them all done in one swoop.

Let people help you.  How many of the things on your list can you have someone else do for you? Is there anything you can delegate to a friend or another member of your family? You really don’t have to do it all.

Think outside the box. Are there activities on your list that could take less time if you approached them differently? For example, if you find that you’re spending hours every week grocery shopping, maybe look into buying your groceries online. This way, you can purchase all of your staples, without even getting out of your pajamas. You will save time by eliminating the commute to and from the market, and waiting on line during check-out.

Challenge your routine. How many of the things on your list do you really have to do? Are there any activities on your list that aren’t as important as you tell yourself they are? For example, do you really have to polish the silver every month? If not, cross it off your list, and let it go.

Do what you love. Review the activities on your list. Are you looking forward to doing any of them? How many? Make sure to include at least one activity everyday that you truly enjoy doing.

Bonus tip: Do you find that you have loose post-its and scraps of paper with important information floating around your house? Invest in a master notebook and carry it around with you everywhere you go. This way, all of your reminders, shopping lists, and messages can be found in the same place.

Happy Organizing!

Jordana

Founder, live ORGANIZED

Jordana Jaffe is a professional organizer based in Manhattan. She loves helping moms organize their homes, offices, and schedules so that they can lead more fulfilling and functional lives.

To contact Jordana, or to schedule an initial consultation with her, please write her at jordana@liveorganized.com. For more information, visit www.liveorganized.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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