Unconventional Organizational Ideas to Crush the New Year

ByTD Louise

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The new year often brings a flood of advice on how to get organized: buy a fancy planner, set goals, or declutter your workspace. While these tips are helpful, they can feel repetitive. If you’re looking for fresh and creative ways to crush the new year, here are some innovative approaches that go beyond the usual. From redefining how you set goals to designing a fun calendar, these ideas are all about helping you thrive in the New Year.

Focus on Systems, Not Goals

Rather than aiming for specific outcomes, shift your focus to systems and habits that will naturally lead to success. Goals are great, but they can sometimes feel overwhelming or distant. A system, on the other hand, provides a consistent framework for progress.

  • Instead of saying, “I want to save $10,000 this year,” create a system of transferring a set percentage of your income into savings each payday.
  • Use habit trackers to monitor daily actions that support your system
  • Explore apps to set up workflows for projects.
  • Break down systems into small, repeatable actions that will become second nature over time.

Declutter Your Mental Space

Mental organization is just as important as physical organization. A clear mind helps you make better decisions and feel less overwhelmed.

  • Set aside time weekly to jot down all your thoughts, tasks, and ideas. Once it’s on paper or in an app, you can organize and prioritize.
  •  Go through your email inbox, phone apps, and digital files. Delete what’s unnecessary and organize what remains.
  • Dedicate a day every quarter to reflect on your progress, brainstorm new ideas, and make adjustments to your systems or goals.
  • Practice Mindfulness: How to practice Mindfulness

Create an Energy Budget

Time management is important, but energy management is a game-changer. Treat your energy like a budget and allocate it wisely.

  • Low-Energy Tasks: Reserve mundane or repetitive tasks (e.g., organizing emails) for when you’re feeling low-energy.
  • High-Energy Tasks: Tackle creative or challenging projects during your peak energy times.
  • Tools: Use apps like Rise or Timeular to track energy patterns and align tasks with your natural rhythms.

Organize for Fun, Not Just Productivity

Life isn’t all about work. Prioritize joy and leisure to keep yourself balanced and motivated.

  • Create a Fun Calendar: Plan weekend getaways, movie nights, and themed activities or decor changes to align with each season. Schedule them just like work tasks to ensure they happen. Use event stickers to make it even more fun!
  • Bucket List Jar: Write down fun ideas on slips of paper “Try a new restaurant” or “Go on a spontaneous road trip”. Draw one when you need inspiration.

 Design a “Reverse To-Do List”

Rather than focusing only on what’s left to do, keep track of what you’ve accomplished. This practice builds confidence and helps you recognize your progress.

  • Use a journal or app to jot down completed tasks or wins each day.
  • Include big achievements and small victories, anything you feel good about completing.

Doing this can motivate you to keep going and remind you of how far you’ve come.

 Refresh All of Your Your Spaces, Not Just Your Desk

A fresh environment can spark creativity and productivity. Go beyond your workspace to refresh other areas of your life.

  • Your Car: Keep essentials like a first-aid kit, snacks, and a notepad organized in a clean, clutter-free space.
  • Your Phone: Regularly update your home screen layout and wallpaper for a fresh feel. Organize apps into folders by function.
  • Your Closet: Try a “seasonal rotation” to keep your wardrobe manageable and inspiring. Store off-season items and highlight current favorites.
  • Sensory Elements: Add candles, plants, or playlists to enhance your workspace and living areas.

Using these general ideas and tweaking them to fit with your lifestyle will have you sailing into the New Year smoothly and efficiently. Remember, it is all about freeing up time so you can achieve a more relaxing lifestyle.