Organized people often say that being organized is a skill anyone can develop by simply being more intentional with daily habits. So, where are you in life? Does everything feel organized, or is your life scattered and out of place?
If you’re ready to take control, learn from the habits of organized people. These individuals often feel less stressed because their lives are structured and well-organized. They’ve discovered that much of life’s chaos disappears when you start organizing your daily routines. And the good news? It’s not as difficult as you might think. Small changes can lead to incredible results.
In this post, I’ve compiled a list of 16 habits practiced by highly organized people. You can start adopting these slowly and watch how they transform your life.
I’m also on my journey to better organization, and I hope this helps you along the way.
1. They Have a Daily Routine
Organized people run their day—rather than letting the day run them. They create and follow a daily routine, which helps structure their time and provides direction. Without a routine, life becomes naturally chaotic. It doesn’t have to be rigid, but some structure will work wonders.
2. They Follow a Daily To-Do List
A key habit of organized people is creating a to-do list, often the night before or at the start of the day. They keep this list in a visible place so they can easily check it throughout the day.
3. They Schedule Tasks
Organized people not only create to-do lists, but they also schedule their tasks. This way, they make sure everything gets done. If something doesn’t fit into their schedule, they either delegate it or move it to another day.
4. They Plan Their Month
The beginning of a new month is a crucial time for organized people. They set goals based on their yearly vision and plan for the month ahead, making sure everything aligns with their broader objectives.
5. They Plan Their Week on Sunday
To further organize their month, organized people use Sundays to plan their upcoming week. Some things they do include setting weekly goals, preparing meal plans, organizing outfits, and budgeting.
6. They Write Down Everything
Organized people know better than to rely on memory alone. They write down tasks, deadlines, and anything important. This not only reduces stress but ensures nothing gets forgotten.
7. They Make Lists
Lists are essential for organized people. They make lists for everything—tasks, goals, groceries, projects—to help stay on top of all their responsibilities.
8. They Make Their Bed Instantly
A small but powerful habit is making the bed as soon as they wake up. This simple act sets the tone for a more organized and productive day.
9. They Have a System
Every organized person has a system that works for them, whether it’s a digital tool like Trello or Notion or a physical planner. Experiment to find what helps you stay on track.
10. They Give Everything a Home
Organized people always know where things belong. “Everything has a place, and every place has a thing,” as they say. This habit reduces the time spent searching for items.
11. They Put Things Away Immediately
It’s not enough just to have a designated spot for everything—you have to return items to their rightful place immediately after using them. This saves time and keeps things tidy.
12. They Clean Messes Instantly
Organized people clean up as they go. Whether it’s the kitchen, desk, or dining area, they tidy things up right away. This habit prevents clutter from accumulating.
13. They Avoid Multitasking
Multitasking leads to a cluttered mind and an unorganized life. Instead, organized people focus on one thing at a time.
14. They Declutter Regularly
Organized people regularly declutter their spaces, from their desks to their closets. They set specific days for this so things don’t pile up.
15. They Clean One Area Weekly
To maintain a clean and organized home, they designate one day each week to thoroughly clean a specific area.
16. They Don’t Procrastinate
Lastly, organized people don’t procrastinate. They follow the “2-minute rule”—if a task takes less than two minutes, they do it immediately. Otherwise, they schedule or delegate it.
If you struggle with procrastination, start practicing this habit. And for more tips, check out my [4 tips to overcome procrastination].