Organizing Tips for Keeping New Year’s Resolutions

Happy New Year! It’s that time of year…time to implement a strategy for addressing those New Year’s Resolutions that we have made. We have given thought to the changes that we would like to make in our lives. In some cases the changes are life-altering, like losing 50+ pounds; in other cases the changes are just as important, like exercising 3 times/week, but seemingly easier to achieve.

Unfortunately for many, January becomes the month of resolution making and breaking. What’s needed are some organizing tips for resolutions. We start out with very good intentions but somewhere along the way our energy and drive are zapped and our plans for our New Year’s resolutions get derailed. In the hope that this may be the breakout year for keeping your plans intact, here are some organizing tips for managing resolutions which will hopefully ensure your success regardless of the nature of the resolution.

1. Write the resolutions down as this will solidify your commitment to making a change at home or at work.
2. Post your list of New Year’s resolutions in a place where you’ll see it.
3. Prioritize the resolutions based on their impact on your well-being.
4. Focus on the resolutions one at a time.
5. Each resolution will require a behavior change. Trying to multi-task and take on more than one at a time is a recipe for failure as it is very difficult to adapt to a series of new behaviors all at one time.
6. Keep your New Year’s resolutions very targeted. For example, if you are organizing your office, start with the desktop and only move on to the drawers once you have been able to maintain the new systems for at least 2-3 weeks.
7. Share the news about your success with close friends and family. Their support and enthusiasm will provide just the right positive reinforcement for maintaining what you have achieved and energize you to continue adapting new habits.

Not surprisingly, “getting organized” frequently places in the top 10 on many people’s resolutions lists. The increasing popularity of this resolution is fueled by a desire to start enjoying the benefits derived from being more organized at work and home. Greater productivity, less stress, saving money, more time…these are things for which we should all strive.

If getting organized is on your list, consider these benefits. If not, identify the benefits associated with your specific resolutions so that you can periodically remind yourself later this month when you are thinking of throwing in the towel.

Good luck! I hope that by the end of the month you have made significant progress with the first resolution on your list.