In this blog post we’re talking about how to get organized to be productive. Because here’s the thing most people don’t realize… If every time you sat down to work your goals you asked yourself, What is one result I could accomplish in this session that will make a real impact? and then you used your time to only do that one thing—you wouldn’t believe the traction you’d make in just a few months.
Productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about doing what actually matters. And in today’s blog post, I’m breaking down my favorite hacks for getting organized and making the most of your time, whether you’re running a business, chasing a promotion, managing a household, or juggling all the things at once. Plus, I’m including tactical steps on how to get organized you can start using TODAY to see results fast.
Let’s dive in!
Start with a Clean Slate (Literally and Mentally)
Before I can be productive, I need to clear the clutter—both physically and mentally.
I’ll never forget when I was 18, living in a tiny, crappy apartment in Burbank, trying to figure out how to be an adult. My first “desk” was a $22 folding table from Target, and I remember sitting there, trying to organize my dreams of being an entrepreneur and an author with the little time I had outside of my full-time job. That’s where my obsession with productivity started—because when your hours are limited, you HAVE to make the most of them.
Carrying mental clutter is just as exhausting as dealing with a messy workspace. Try this:
Declutter Your Mind
- Brain Dump: Write down EVERYTHING that’s swirling in your head—errands, work projects, reminders, ideas, all of it. Then use the 3D Method.
- The 3D Method:
- Delegate anything someone else can do – I know this can be incredibly difficult if you’re not used to it but delegation is crucial for anyone who wants to get the most out of the time they have. Focus on what you (and only you) do best.
- Delete anything that doesn’t matter – Seriously, what on that list can you delete? Could you put a reminder in the calendar for 3 months from now and revisit it then? Edit whatever you can.
- Only Do the things that actually move you toward your goals – so simple and so accurate, the greatest productivity hack is just focusing on the things that get you closer to where you want to be.
I’ve used this method for years, and it’s one of the fastest ways to cut through overwhelm and actually take action. (Pro tip: I also use it for my kids. Instead of nagging, I make a chore chart so they always know exactly what’s expected—no arguments, no surprises.)
Declutter Your Space
Spring cleaning isn’t just for your house; it’s for your productivity too. If your desk, car, kitchen, or workspace is a disaster, it’s going to slow you down. Take an hour (or several) and clear out what you don’t need.
- If you haven’t used it in a year, get rid of it.
- If you’re holding onto something “just in case,” put it in a box and revisit it in six months. I have a big duffle bag in my closet where I put all the clothes I never wear but refuse to give up. My rule is, if after a few months I cant remember what’s in the duffle, I have to donate it because clearly it’s not a favorite.
- Create an environment that makes it easy to focus—your space should work for you, not against you.
I wrote a whole blog post about how to actually enjoy doing your chores if you need some inspiration around this topic.
Ditch the To-Do List—Use a Results List Instead
The Results List is a practice I wrote about extensively in my book Girl, Stop Apologizing but if you’re not familiar, let me give you a summary. To-do lists are endless and overwhelming and studies show they don’t actually help us make traction. Instead, focus on the results you want, not the to-do’s:
- Instead of “Update resume,” try “Send resume to 15 hiring managers today.”
- Instead of “Work on book,” try “Write 1,000 words before lunch.”
- Instead of “Get more clients” try “Make 25 cold-calls by EOD”
Results are specific. Results are what matter. Prioritize the three biggest moves that will actually move the needle in your life and focus on those. If you take nothing else from this blog post, let it be this: Stop being busy and start being effective.
Batch Your Work Like a Boss
Multitasking is killing your productivity. Every time you switch tasks, your brain has to recalibrate, which wastes precious energy. In fact, research shows that once distracted, a worker takes nearly a half-hour to resume the original task. Think about how many times you get distracted in a day… if it takes us half an hour to get focused again we could be losing hours (we don’t have!) because of distraction.
Instead, learn to batch your work. Not sure what that is? Read this blog post where I explain this life-changing style of working and how I do it!
This small tweak alone can 10x your efficiency.
Protect Your Focus and Energy
Want to get organized to be productive? It isn’t just about time management—it’s about energy management.
- Turn off notifications when you’re working on something important.
- Time block your day so you have clear focus periods.
- Set boundaries. (Say no to things that don’t align with your priorities.)
Your time is valuable. Treat it like the limited resource that it is.
Plan Ahead or Plan to Fail
Being organized isn’t something you’re born with—it’s a learned skill. And the secret to staying organized? Planning ahead.
- Take time each week to plan out your biggest priorities.
- Set three big wins you want to accomplish.
- Check your calendar for any appointments or prep work needed.
Want to take a deep dive on this subject with me? I did a whole podcast episode all about it and you can listen to it below.
