We all had an extra day this year (February 29th, in case you’ve already forgotten!) to work on our goals, strengthen daily habits, and tackle any lingering projects. We have to wait another 4 years to plan how we’ll use our “extra” day, so until then let’s get ready to transition out of our winter hibernation and spring into March!
The theme in March should be all things PURGING, ORGANIZING, and CLEANING. Finish the indoor projects and get your interior looking fresh and organized so you can revel in the longer daylight hours coming soon and embrace the benefits of increased sunlight!
Here are my tips & strategies for making March a mad month of management- both of your time and your space:
Desk Organization
- As you’re preparing to file your taxes, go through your files and shred anything you don’t need. Still have tax documents from 2005? I’m pretty sure it’s safe to get rid of those papers by now. If it makes you nervous, before you enjoy the satisfaction of seeing all those tiny shreds of paper, you might want to scan them first so you have a backup digital copy.
- Vertical files are your best friend. The more paper you stack, the more disorganized you become and the longer it takes to find that one piece of paper you’re looking for.
- Invest in some pretty file folders, new tabs, and a label maker. As your sort through your papers, create stacks of categories and label them with a sticky note.
- Then, delegate the actual labeling, printing, and the rest of that task to someone else (this is a great job for a kid looking to earn some extra cash).
- Have a tendency to just throw things in your desk drawers so it’s out of sight? I’m sure you’ve got quite the scattered collection of paper clips, sticky notes, pens, broken items, random furniture parts, stale snacks, and the odd toy from your toddler filling every inch of your drawers that you’re scared to open them. It’s time to exert your Mad March Management skills and clean out your desk.
- Block out 2 hours, put on your favorite tunes, take everything out at once, and start sorting. Make it easy: one trashcan, one sorting box, and your empty drawer are all you need to work with. Pick up each item and decide to trash it, file it/put it where it belongs elsewhere, or organize it in your drawer. I love to put the lids to boxes in my drawers for easy organizers- small gift boxes are great for office supplies, sticky notes, and other small items to keep them neat and separated.
- Only keep the essentials on your desk so you can stay focused and organized.
- I have a tendency to pile all sorts of project papers on my desk, and it’s a constant struggle to force myself to put things back where they belong. I use a portable file holder (a larger one with handles pictured below) so I can easily have my files handy when I need them, but can put it out of sight when I need to focus on other tasks.
- What are the essentials for the top of your desk? Your favorite writing tools, computer, notepad, planner, timer, and whatever else you need for the ONE project you’re focusing on. Everything else can be put away, to include that highly distractible cell phone. Trust me- you can live without the constant distraction of notifications for a few hours.
Closet Organization: Purge by Category
- Kitchen Pantry: Remove everything and then put each item back onto shelves according to categories such as baking, spices, breakfast, snacks, canned goods, etc. Be sure to check those expiration dates and toss all the old stuff! Pay attention to what you’re tossing- you might find that you never need to buy canned cranberries ever again since the one you have is from 2018. Bins and labels come in handy here- there are lots of options with a simple internet search.
- Bathroom Closets: Keep similar items together in labeled bins. For example, all oral care items such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, mouthwash, and dental floss should be grouped together in a bin. Haircare (shampoo, conditioner, hairspray, serums), personal care (lotions, body sprays), makeup, and nail care are other categories. Once again, inexpensive bins and a label maker will be your best friend. Toss anything you haven’t used in the past year. Fold or roll your towels to maximize space and keep a neat appearance. You can also put them in a labeled bin or a decorative basket.
- Clothing Closets: Only keep the seasonal items in your closet so you can avoid the clutter and distraction of clothing you won’t be wearing anytime soon. There’s no reason to have ski pants on a hanger next to a summer dress. Large tote bins are perfect to rotate seasonal attire. If you didn’t wear something this past season, you’re less likely to wear it next year. Feel good donating it to someone who will love it as much as you once did. Local Buy Nothing groups are also a great way to serve your community with items that have a lot of life left. Once you’ve purged and are only left with your favorite in-season pieces, group the similar items together, such as shirts, shorts, skirts, and dresses. You can also consider grouping them by color for a more visually appealing look. Whatever you decide, just make sure it’s easy to find your pieces and easy to put them back.
March is a great TIME to MANAGE how you use your DAYLIGHT HOURS so you can enjoy a BRIGHTER lifestyle!
We’re fresh off Daylight Savings Time, which means longer daylight hours. It’s the perfect time of year to establish new habits and perhaps revisit (or establish) your goals.
- Adjust your morning routine so you can incorporate a brisk walk first thing in the morning with the sunrise, enjoy your coffee on the patio, or get some early morning yoga done to set the mood for the day.
- Adjust your evening routine. Schedule outdoor activities in the early evening so you can maximize the daylight and not get tempted to continue your winter schedule of being in pajamas as soon as you finish dinner (or for some us that might even be a simultaneous event– eating dinner in our pajamas…in bed).
- I signed up for a local outdoor pickleball class for 5 weeks through my parks & rec department. This forces me to be out of the house in the evening participating in some form of physical activity until the sun starts to set.
- Maybe you can go for a walk with a neighbor at a set time a few nights a week, take your kids to the playground after dinner, or just plan to sit outside with a blanket and read a book for 20 minutes before it gets dark.
- Take your lunch break outdoors and enjoy some vitamin D. This refreshing break will not only boost your mood, but also make you more productive to finish out the work day.
- What makes you happiest about spring? Is it the flowers? Bright colors? Later sunsets? Hearing the birds chirping in the morning? Whatever it is, use it to your mental health advantage!
- I love fresh flowers, so I make it a point to have a vase full of colorful flowers on my dining room table. I know someone who loves sunsets, so they try to capture it a handful of times each week through photography. Schedule these mental breaks as your priority FIRST, and then schedule the other stuff.
- Did you have a goal that already fell off your radar? Feeling disappointed that you aren’t further along with the lofty goals you set out to accomplish in January? You’re definitely not alone.
- Consider crafting a set of brand new goals in March that will take you through the next few months into June. Make shorter “baby step” goals each month so they can seem more attainable. Pick just 1-2 goals to focus on, schedule time in your week to work on those goals, and truly make them a priority. I personally can’t live without my Full Focus Planner and use it every day to schedule my priorities, track progress on my goals, and make sure I capture everything that I need to get done.
Be sure to follow my social media pages as I share more specific strategies in this March Management Madness month! I’ll have more tips about organization, links to my favorite organization hacks, and more tips to control your time.