Quick and easy solutions are what we need with today’s fast pace.  Quick solutions are things we can do in 15 minutes or less.  Easy…well that’s enough said for this!  Here’s 20 quick and easy organizing and productivity tips and solutions as we enter 2020.

 

1. Recycle easily

Set up a recycling station vertically with bins in your garage or mudroom. Pay for curb side recycling or set a reminder on your smart device to take recycling each week. It’s our eco-friendly nature that reinforces this solution.

 

2. Return easily

Returns pile up and we get behind.  Return easily by purchasing online only from Amazon or other companies that include a return receipt in the box.  Amazon returns can be made at Kohl’s too.

 

3. Declutter easily

Locate a donation location on your way to work or school.  Once a week or month place donations in the bag and drop off right away. More is always coming in and less is going out. This will equalize the amount of items in your home.

 

4. Donate easily

Say yes when you receive a call for donations to be picked up at your door. Mark the items in a bag or box.

 

5. Prepare meals easily

What’s the hardest thing about meal prep? It’s knowing what to fix. Ask your family for a list of favorites. Add the ingredients to your local grocery app and schedule delivery for Sunday.

 

6. Be on time easily

It’s not what to do to be on time, but what NOT to do.  What trips you up in the morning keeps you from being on time?  That includes getting on email, not allowing yourself enough time by getting up too late and doing that one last thing.  Knowing that you have a timeline in the morning with enough time to do specific tasks makes it easy to get out of the house on time. Place an analog clock at important locations in your home like your bathroom, kitchen and exit.  You see time elapsing with an analog clock.

 

7. Manage paper easily

Paper is overwhelming and arrives at an alarming rate.  Make it easy by discarding daily. Set up a recycle and shred station and make this an easy daily routine.

 

8. Schedule your time easily

Use a planner that works well with the way you think and schedule. For me it’s a hybrid paper and electronic planner. Pull out your planner as soon as you see a date and schedule your time.

 

9. Coordinate plans easily

Are you and your family or partner on the same page?  Make it easy with an online planner. Everyone enters dates and everyone can access plans.

 

10. Make routines easier

Routines are the backbone of productivity. These ensure you are doing what you intend on a regular basis.   Make routines easier with assigning a day or days of the week to those tasks that need automating.  It can be Money Monday, Admin Monday or Laundry on Monday.

 

11. Check email easier

Email floods in!  There’s little time to process and catch up. You don’t have to be at it’s beck and call. Schedule 3 times a day that work for you to slow the tide.

 

12.  Clear your desk easier

Is your desk top a chaotic and crowded space? Designate an unprocessed incoming paper spot to drop papers you have to review or work on.  Keeping these off your desk frees up space and your colleagues know where to place these papers.

 

13.  Know your most important tasks

Prioritizing can be a challenge when everything seems equally important. Write a list of your 3 Most Important Tasks (MITs) for the week. It will keep you on track and ensure success.

 

14. Write a note easily

Hand written notes are appreciated and a way to connect.  Order stationary online and keep the notes, stamps and address labels in your desk drawer. Save a few minutes after lunch to write your notes.

 

15. Connect with a friend easily

Keep all your contacts accessible in your data online.  For me it’s Outlook and it can also be gmail.  When you think of a friend or colleague, send a quick text.  Knowing you are thinking of them is that special touch.

 

16. Practice self care easily

Set a bedtime for yourself.  Get ready for bed early, brush teeth and get in your pajamas well before lights out.

 

17. Corral technology easily

Keep technology ready for the next day for you and your family with a common charging space in a common area. Also, it’s easy to find and take with you the next day.

 

18. Gather ideas and thoughts easily

Our minds are a cluttered space. Choose an online app to help you keep things clear. Trello, Asana, Google docs or Notes apps help you hold and organize all these details.

 

19. Strategize easily

Take a big picture approach to work, life and work life integration by scheduling time away.  It’s easiest to step back when you have time to ponder.  That can be a day or multiple days.  Taking time to strategize gives you a more complete view of your accomplishments.

 

20. Set your intentions easily

It’s a new decade. Use your word of the year to propel yourself forward.  That is a word that focuses you on your big intentions this year.

 

Take only one of these quick and easy tips to own this week, month or year. Making it easy makes things happen!