Organize Your Life Before the New Year: A Step-by-Step Guide

Dec 16

As the year comes to a close, it's the perfect moment to reflect on your organizational habits. Could your time management use a little fine-tuning? Is your home in need of decluttering? No matter where you are on your organizational journey, there’s always value in evaluating what worked well — and identifying areas for growth.

By recognizing the systems that supported you, you can build on your successes. At the same time, reflecting on what fell short provides a chance to set intentional goals for the year ahead. Let’s take this step-by-step journey together.

Step 1: Celebrate Your Wins

Start by acknowledging your successes! Too often, we focus on shortcomings, but recognizing what worked is just as important. Grab a notebook or open a fresh document and consider:

What organizational tools or strategies were effective this year?
Did a specific app, planner, or routine help you stay on track?
When did you feel most in control of your time and environment?
Maybe you decluttered a room that stayed tidy or established a morning routine that set a productive tone.
What habits brought joy or reduced stress?
Perhaps meal prepping made weeknights easier, or setting reminders for self-care kept you balanced.

Remember, progress matters more than perfection. Even small wins — like hanging a hook for your keys and always knowing where they are — deserve celebration. Take a moment to appreciate the effort behind your achievements. These wins are the foundation for even better systems in the future.

But before we move to the next step, take a moment to appreciate the effort you put into your successes. These wins are the foundation for building even better systems in the future.

Step 2: Acknowledge Your Challenges

Now it’s time to turn to the areas that didn’t go as planned. Remember, this isn’t about self-criticism—it’s about growth. Reflect on these questions:

What organizational habits or tools didn’t serve you well?

Maybe you bought a planner that you barely used or tried an app that just didn’t fit your style.

When did you feel overwhelmed or disorganized?

Were there specific times of the year or types of tasks that felt particularly challenging?

What habits or systems added stress instead of alleviating it?

Perhaps you overcommitted to too many responsibilities or struggled with maintaining a tidy workspace.

Be honest and compassionate with yourself. Identifying these areas isn’t about finding fault; it’s about pinpointing opportunities for improvement.

Step 3: Consider the Lessons

With your wins and challenges laid out, look for patterns and insights. Consider these:

What made the successful strategies work?

If your meal prep habit stuck, was it because you kept it simple or enjoyed the results?

What hindered the less successful systems?

If you didn’t use a planner, was it too complex, or did you forget to keep it handy?

How can you adjust your approach moving forward?

Maybe you need to try a different app, simplify your routines, or involve others in your organizational efforts.

This analysis will help you refine your systems, ensuring they align with your lifestyle and needs.

Step 4: Set Intentions for the Year Ahead

With clarity on what worked and what didn’t, you’re ready to set intentions for the coming year. Intentions are different from resolutions; they’re more about guiding principles than rigid goals. Here are some examples:

For Time Management:

“I intend to honor my schedule while leaving room for flexibility.”

For Physical Organization:

“I intend to maintain a clutter-free workspace that inspires productivity.”

For Emotional Well-being:

“I intend to prioritize systems that reduce stress and create balance in my life.”

Write your intentions down and keep them somewhere visible—they’ll serve as gentle reminders of the direction you want to move in.

Remember to start small and be realistic. You can always add more later. Building momentum feels much better than falling short of your lofty intentions.

Step 5: Create a Plan of Action

Intentions are powerful but even more effective when paired with action steps.

For each intention, brainstorm practical ways to bring it to life. For example:

If you intend to “streamline my morning routine,” you might:

Lay out clothes the night before.
Prep breakfast ingredients ahead of time.
Use an app to organize your daily priorities.
If you intend to “stay on top of household tasks,” you could:
Implement a simple weekly cleaning schedule.
Delegate chores to family members.
Set up automatic reminders for recurring tasks.

Start small, focusing on one or two intentions at a time, and build from there.

Step 6: Celebrate Progress Along the Way

Finally, remember that true change takes time and doesn’t happen overnight. When we’re trying to improve habits we’ve had for decades, it’s important to be patient!

As you implement your new systems and habits, take time to celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Each step forward is a win, and recognizing that will keep you motivated.

Cheers!

Reflecting on your organizational habits is an empowering process. It’s an opportunity to learn about yourself, acknowledge your strengths, and address areas for growth with compassion and intention. As you review your past year and set your sights on the next, remember that the goal isn’t perfection—it’s progress.

Here’s to a more organized, joyful, and fulfilling year ahead!

If you want to change your habits but need support, contact me for a quick chat to learn how it works and see if we’re a good fit. I look forward to hearing from you!

Jolene Monaco, CPO

Jolene Monaco