1. To-Do List
Creating a to-do list is a fundamental step in organizing your daily routine. Writing down everything you need to do can help you stay organized and ensure that you don’t forget anything important. Here are some tips to make the most out of your to-do lists:
Know Your Priorities
Start by identifying what truly matters to you. Whether it’s family time, personal growth, or career goals, clarity on your priorities will guide your decisions and simplify your life.
Write It Down
Get into the habit of jotting down tasks, goals, and ideas. A simple to-do list can help you stay organized, reduce mental clutter, and focus on what needs to be done.
Limit Yourself to 3 Tasks
If your to-do list is long and overwhelming, pick three tasks you want to do today—important tasks that aren’t just urgent but actually have a long-lasting impact on your life. Focus on getting these three tasks done before anything else. If you finish early, you can either call it a day or get some bonus tasks done.
The 2-Minute Rule
Want to tackle those daunting tasks on your to-do list? Follow the 2-minute rule: if a task takes less than 2 minutes to complete, do it immediately. By taking quick action, you’ll prevent small tasks from piling up and save yourself from feeling overwhelmed.
Creating a "mind dump" list at the end of each day can help you clear your mind and prioritize your tasks for the next day. Write down all of the tasks, ideas, and thoughts that are swirling around in your head.
2. Nail Polish
Use Nail Polish to Identify Different Keys
Organise your life with this simple time-saving trick. If you’ve got a few minutes to spare and some nail varnish bottles lying around, this hack is well worth a try. You’ll no longer need to rabble about finding the right one, plus the pops of colour will help your set stand out in your bag.
Freeze Grapes to Chill Your Drink Without It Getting Watered Down
Freeze grapes to use as ice cubes in your drinks. This way, your drink stays chilled without getting watered down. It’s a simple yet effective way to enjoy your beverages at the perfect temperature.
3. Evernote
Organize Your Thoughts
Evernote is a powerful tool to help you organize your thoughts. You can create notebooks for different projects, jot down ideas, and even attach files. This app makes it easy to keep everything in one place.
Make To-Do Lists
Creating to-do lists in Evernote is simple and effective. You can set reminders, add checkboxes, and prioritize tasks. This ensures you stay on top of your daily responsibilities.
Capture Important Information
With Evernote, capturing important information is a breeze. You can take notes, clip web pages, and even scan documents. This feature is particularly useful for students and professionals alike.
Access Anywhere
One of the best features of Evernote is that you can access your notes from anywhere. Whether you’re on your phone, tablet, or computer, your notes are always within reach. This convenience is unmatched.
Evernote is not just a note-taking app; it’s a comprehensive tool that can significantly simplify your daily routine.
4. OneNote
Organize Your Thoughts
OneNote is a powerful tool that helps you organize your thoughts efficiently. You can create different notebooks for various aspects of your life, such as work, personal projects, and hobbies. This way, everything is neatly categorized and easy to find.
Make To-Do Lists
With OneNote, you can easily create to-do lists to keep track of your tasks. Simply add checkboxes next to each item and tick them off as you complete them. This visual representation of your progress can be incredibly satisfying and motivating.
Capture Important Information
OneNote allows you to capture important information quickly. Whether it’s a meeting note, a web clipping, or a quick idea, you can store it all in one place. The search functionality makes it easy to find specific content later on.
OneNote’s ability to sync across devices means you can access your notes from anywhere, making it a versatile tool for both personal and professional use.
Reduce Paper Clutter
By embracing digital note-taking with OneNote, you can significantly reduce paper clutter. No more piles of notebooks and loose papers; everything is stored digitally and can be organized with just a few clicks.
Enjoy Convenience
OneNote offers the convenience of accessing your notes from anywhere. Whether you’re on your computer, tablet, or smartphone, your notes are always within reach. This makes it easier to stay organized and productive, no matter where you are.
5. Digital Note-Taking
Embrace the Digital Era
Ditch the traditional pen and paper and embrace digital note-taking. Use apps like Evernote or OneNote to organize your thoughts, make to-do lists, and capture important information. Enjoy the convenience of accessing your notes from anywhere, effortlessly searching for specific content, and reducing paper clutter.
Benefits of Digital Note-Taking
- Accessibility: Access your notes from any device, anywhere.
- Searchability: Quickly find specific information with ease.
- Organization: Keep your notes neatly organized in one place.
- Eco-Friendly: Reduce paper usage and contribute to a greener planet.
Digital note-taking not only simplifies your life but also helps in maintaining a clutter-free environment.
Recommended Apps
- Evernote: Great for comprehensive note-taking and organization.
- OneNote: Ideal for integrating with other Microsoft Office tools.
- Google Keep: Perfect for quick notes and reminders.
- Notion: Excellent for project management and collaboration.
6. Paper Clutter
Three-Box Decluttering
One effective method to tackle paper clutter is the three-box decluttering technique. Use three boxes to quickly sort everything: Trash, Donate, and Maybe. The first two boxes are obvious, while the Maybe box is for items you’re not sure about. You can put this in storage for a few months and decide later.
Scan and Toss
For documents that can only be sent via paper, scan and toss them. Try to limit the scanning and request that things be sent electronically whenever possible.
Automatic Bill Payments
Set up automatic bill payments for bills that you pay regularly. This can save time and ensure that you don’t miss any payments.
Declutter Your Home
Getting rid of clutter can help you feel more organized and in control. Start with one area of your home, such as a closet or a desk, and remove any items that you don’t need or use regularly.
If there are certain mailings you always toss out immediately, go ahead and unsubscribe—it will save paper and time.
7. Cleaning Hacks
Use Bread Clips to Organise Your Power Cables
Organise your cables and de-clutter your house with this easy household life hack. The next time you buy a loaf, be sure to save your bread tags. They have a whole range of uses including untangling your power charges. Plus, the different tag colours will help you tell them apart.
Clean Your Shower Head with Vinegar
To clean your shower head, tie a bag of vinegar around your shower head and leave it overnight. This is one of the coolest hacks for those of you that don’t like cleaning (aka basically everyone). Simply put some vinegar in a ziplock bag and tie it around your shower head with an elastic band, making sure that the shower nozzle is submerged in the vinegar. Leave it overnight and by the time you come back to it in the morning, all the limescale buildup should be gone!
Use Diluted White Vinegar for General Cleaning
Use diluted white vinegar to clean just about anything in the house without needing a chemical-heavy product. A no-brainer when it comes to the best life hacks, this beauty will work wonders around your house. The acidic nature of vinegar means that it’s great at dissolving dirt, grease and grime. Diluted white vinegar is especially good at ridding showers of limescale and keeping your chrome taps clean and shiny.
Here are some simple tips on how to spend less time cleaning and a minimalist cleaning routine to keep your home clean without you spending ages cleaning it!
8. Food Storing Tricks
1. Use Paper Towels
Place a paper towel under your loose fruit and vegetables in the fridge. This will soak up excess water and help them last longer.
2. Wrap Bananas in Tin Foil
Wrap your bananas in tin foil to make them last longer. This simple trick can significantly extend their shelf life.
3. Store Cheese in Parchment Paper
Did you know that cheese lasts longer when it can breathe? Instead of using cling film or tin foil, wrap your cheese in parchment or waxed paper. This will help maintain its freshness.
4. Open Difficult Jar Lids
Struggling with a stubborn jar lid? Wedge a spoon between the seal to let some air in and loosen it. Alternatively, running it under warm water can also do the trick.
These simple food storing tricks can make a big difference in reducing waste and keeping your food fresh for longer.
9. Organisational Ideas
Organising your life can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable and even enjoyable. Here are some ideas to help you get started.
Brain Dump
Periodically empty your mind by jotting down thoughts and tasks in a “brain dump” session. This helps clear your mental clutter and allows you to focus on what truly matters.
Batch Email Responses
Set specific times to respond to emails in batches to avoid constant interruptions. This method helps you manage your inbox more efficiently and keeps you from being overwhelmed.
Mind Mapping
Use mind maps to organize thoughts, ideas, and projects in a visually engaging way. This technique can help you see the bigger picture and make connections between different concepts.
Learn Keyboard Shortcuts
Master keyboard shortcuts for your most-used applications to navigate efficiently. This small change can save you a significant amount of time in the long run.
Gratitude Journal
Maintain a gratitude journal to focus on positive aspects of life, fostering a positive mindset. This simple practice can have a profound impact on your overall well-being.
Organising your life can seem daunting, but with the right strategies, it becomes manageable and even enjoyable.
10. Household Tips
Use Bread Clips to Organise Your Power Cables
Organise your cables and de-clutter your house with this easy household life hack. The next time you buy a loaf, be sure to save your bread tags. They have a whole range of uses including untangling your power charges. Plus, the different tag colours will help you tell them apart.
Clean Your Shower Head with Vinegar
To clean your shower head, tie a bag of vinegar around it and leave it overnight. This simple trick will help remove any build-up and keep your shower running smoothly.
Fold and Store Bedding Inside a Pillowcase
This nifty hack for life will keep your clean bedding tidy and has the added benefit of keeping them together. No more searching around for a loose pillowcase.
Use Diluted White Vinegar for Cleaning
Use diluted white vinegar to clean just about anything in the house without needing a chemical-heavy product. It’s a natural and effective way to keep your home sparkling clean.
Simplifying your daily routine can be as easy as incorporating a few clever household tips. From organising cables to cleaning with vinegar, these hacks can make a big difference.