Learn a guaranteed system to stay super organized with just 4 digital tools! Get your life in order and simplify your day-to-day tasks. I developed this digital organization system and I want to share it with you.
If you ask anyone who knows me, they would probably say I like to plan a little too much. It gives me joy to look at a calendar or update my weekly to-do lists. Maybe you feel the same way or maybe you think I’m a nut (my husband does too). But trust me when I say you will get and stay organized.
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The four things I use to stay organized are all on my phone and computer:
Here’s my system for each, and if you follow it I guarantee you will stay super organized with these 4 digital tools:
1. CALENDAR:
I use the PocketLife app on my phone which syncs to the iCloud calendar on my computer. Whatever app you use, make sure it syncs so you can access it on both your phone and computer. I color coordinate into four colors:
Purple – general to-do items (i.e. make an eye doctor appointment for next month)
Red – work-related items (i.e. 4p Call with Sarah to discuss XYZ)
Green – day-of appointments or plans (i.e. Bobby’s birthday party)
Blue – items that will sync to my husband’s phone too, so anything we share including to-do items or appointments (i.e. Laura’s wedding)
When someone looks at my calendar app they often feel overwhelmed, but that’s because I like to include many things on there – you can just include what you really need to remember. The calendar is my most important organizational tool. The best time to look at it is the night before because you then know what your next day will consist of. I check it a few times throughout the day on my phone as well as keep it up on a browser on my computer at work.
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2. NOTES:
The notes app is another tool I use daily and it also syncs to my iCloud allowing me to access it on my computer. Again, make sure whatever tool you use here works on both your computer and phone. This is where I hold my lists.
The lists I have include: work, buy, ideas, pack, fun, writing, books/movies, $$$, health, extra. Most of these lists I look at a few times a week, but the ‘work’ one I look at six to seven days a week as it’s the list I use for my job. Within each list, I have ways of organizing it and you should organize your lists for however is the easiest way for you to use it.
3. CLOCK:
Like my calendar, this is also something I check every night to set for the next day. I use the ‘alarm’ area to set reminders. Some are general reminders like taking time to stretch throughout the day at work or setting aside time to write at night. If I have a work call or an appointment I will add in those alarms the night before too.
4. EMAIL:
There are three things I do with my email to stay organized:
I create folders to organize the content, including a folder labeled USC for my work as a professor and when I was planning my wedding I had a WEDDING folder. I make sure to go through and open all of my mail, but if I need to pay attention to something I will leave it marked ‘unread’ so I’ll remember to reply to it. Lastly, if I send an email and want to remember to get a reply from someone I’ll turn the email into a ‘draft’ so it’s in my draft folder, which reminds me to reach out if I don’t hear back from someone and I need a response.
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So there you have it! Those are all of my secrets. Now make sure you stay super organized with these 4 digital tools.
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