Very often, people make their schedules and tasks much more difficult than they have to be. While there are hundreds--even thousands--of things one can do to organize his or her life, these seven alone can help you simplify your life.

1. Simplify your morning routine. Take a shower at night. Lay out your outfit the night before. Opt for less cosmetics and a more natural look. Get an easy to care for hairstyle that requires very little work. Set the breakfast table the night before. Wake up a little bit earlier so you can feed the kids, walk the dog and/or have a cup of coffee without the need to race to work.

2. Simplify your schedule. Stop doing those activities that no longer interest you. Consolidate your errands. Pad each errand, appointment or task by at least a half hour and stop rushing from one thing to the next. Don't fill your calendar to the max. Schedule time for fun and relaxation in between your work-related or chore-related tasks. Stop saying yes to all requests for your time. Learn to say no sometimes.

3. Simplify your processes. Are certain things you're doing taking a long time to accomplish? If so, those areas need to be evaluated. For instance, if it's taking you an hour to balance your checkbook, you may consider using money management software instead. If you're tired of waiting in line at the post office for postage, you may consider ordering online as an option. If it's taking you forever to file your paperwork, perhaps you need to revamp your filing system.

4. Simplify your possessions. Remember, when it comes to possessions, quality is more important that quantity. In other words, it's better to have a few very nice things than tons of not-so-nice things. Do you have 23 shirts and 17 pairs of socks? Do you really need that many? Donate clothes you never wear and you'll be helping someone less fortunate while simplifying your wardrobe. Weed out your kitchen cupboards. You don't need dozens of plastic containers or three sets of everyday dishes. Have a rummage sale. Don't go shopping without getting rid of something you no longer need. If your kids are off and on their own, you may even want to simplify and downsize to a smaller house.

5. Simplify your finances. Group your credit cards. Most people can get by just fine with just one or two major ones. Speaking of credit cards, don't spend beyond your means. In fact, if your credit card bills run very high each month, consider paying for purchases in cash instead. Pay your bills online whenever you can. Balance your checkbook each month, so you don't fall way behind. Set up a monthly spending budget and stick to it so you don't go overboard with purchases each month.

6. Simplify your meal planning. Choose one day each week when you sit down alone--or with your family--to decide what dinner will be for the next seven nights. Write those meals down and make a grocery list to match those meals. This is much easier than fretting over what you're going to make for dinner each day. Choose meals that take less than 30 minutes to prepare and cook. Make double, so you only have to cook every other night. Learn how to use a slow cooker so dinner is ready to eat when you get home from work.

7. Simplify your cleaning. Clean as you go, and you'll never have to deep clean. Rinse dirty dishes and put them in the dishwasher immediately after each meal so you don't have big pile-ups in the sink. Use one or two cleaning products to clean your entire house--you don't need ten. Make yourself a cleaning schedule. You may choose to do a chore each day, such as vacuuming on Mondays, dusting on Tuesdays, etc. Or, you may prefer choosing a room a day, such as kitchen on Mondays, bathrooms on Tuesdays, etc. Divvy up cleaning duties among each member of your household. If your budget will allow, get a cleaning person to come in and clean once a week, or once every few weeks.

P.S. Tired of clutter? This can help you say Goodbye Clutter starting today!

End the old year, and begin the new one, on an organized note. Purchase anything in our Get Organized Now! store, and use the coupon code: 2021 to get $10 off your order...plus bonuses with each product you purchase!

When you're ready to check out, once you reach our online shopping cart, enter your one-time COUPON CODE: 2021 and click apply.

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This special offer ends when it's officially the new year, 2022!

___ 1. Do today's task on my December Monthly Organizing Checklist. The December 29 TO DO focuses on a 2021 project. Visit GetOrganizedNow.com to access my December Monthly Organizing Checklist.

___ 2. Take the time to think about simplifying. Simplifying your life often requires a few moments of quiet reflection. What do you want to simplify? By when? What are some things you can do to achieve that goal? Take the time to sit down today and jot down some thoughts and ideas.

___ 3. Handle any last-minute preparation. Are you ready for the new year ahead? Is your outfit together and reservations made if you're going out? Did you grocery shop and do you have some activities ready to go if you're staying home?

'Free yourself from the complexities and drama of your life. Simplify. Look within. Within ourselves we all have the gifts and talents we need to fulfill the purpose we've been blessed with.' (Steve Mariboli)

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Maria Gracia
Get Organized Now!
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