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Thanks for joining me once again for part 3 of our series on the mindset of organizing. Today, we’re talking about routines and habits – two things that can help you really get organized in 2024.

Why Routines and Habits Are Important

The best system for organizing is always the easiest one – the one you can follow basically forever without running into difficulty. The keys to making this happen are habit and routine. Here’s why:

  • Habits become natural over time. You don’t forget to breathe or to eat lunch because these are natural habits within your routine.

  • Once set, it’s hard to break a habit or routine. These habits and routines will become so ingrained into your life that they are difficult to break, making them more sustainable.

  • ‘Automation’ is the aim. You want organizing to become automatic. This is only possible with good habits and routines.

How to Make It Happen

So getting organized in 2024 relies on routine and habit, but how do you make these positive changes?

In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear recommends:

  • Setting cues and reminders – Set notifications on your phone or computer, or leave post-it notes around the house to keep your targets in mind.

  • Staying simplistic and realistic – Habit-forming actions must be easy to do, and your pace must be realistic and achievable.

  • Focusing on positive outcomes – What positive changes will your new routine or habit bring? Keep these in mind.

In his own book Tiny Habits, BJ Fogg offers these tips:

  • Build on existing habits. Maybe you’re already saving documents within the right file folders, so build on this by renaming the document according to your system.

  • Keep it small. Don’t say “I’m going to spend three hours organizing things today” – say “I’m going to put these specific documents where they need to be” and go from there.

  • Celebrate your progress. Make a physical movement when you complete your tasks, like a little fist pump or a wave of the hand. This associates the habit with positive action.

Learn More About the Mindset of Organizing

Reach out to our team to discover more about getting organized in 2024!