If you’re anything like me, organization is limited to the various piles of “stuff” scattered around your house. Unfortunately, being disorganized isn’t the best way to work, and might prevent you from achieving your career goals. This is especially true if you are in an industry that relies on being organized, such as finance, science, mathematics, or management.
According to a study done by Psychological Science, organization can lead to greater generosity as well as healthier living choices. Being organized also has other positive effects, like reducing stress and allowing you to be prepared for any stumbling blocks you may encounter during your life’s journey.
If you don’t have it down yet, you can still take incremental steps towards becoming a more organized person. Busy? We all are – which is why using apps or listening to podcasts while doing other work is a great way to expand your knowledge of organization without having to waste any time.
Here are the 10 best apps and podcasts for organizing your life.
10. Google Now (App)
Platforms: Desktop, Android, iOS
Ever want a computer as a personal assistant like HAL from 2001 A Space Odyssey? No? Well, maybe you should. Google Now is an app that integrates all of the things you do online and offline in one place. Using an algorithm that can predict what you need based on your web searches and other online activity, Google Now has been called an “intelligent personal assistant.” Best of all, it organizes all of this data into useful cards, so you can easily reference back to things that you need. Being organized without having to do the actual organization? I like it.
9. Evernote (App)
Platforms: Desktop, iOS, Windows, and Android
Evernote has saved my life a couple times. If you’ve ever used Pinterest before, it’s really similar but used for organization rather than social media. Evernote allows you to save entire websites, pdfs, and online research in one place. This is a really useful app that can be downloaded and used on all the devices you own.
8. Smart and Simple Matters (Podcast)
I just moved into a new apartment and it made me realize that a huge part of staying organized is getting rid of all the junk in your life. I had boxes of old documents, writing that was already saved online, and stuff I had been given and literally never used before. Joel Zaslofsky breaks down how to live a simpler and more organized life by switching up little things you do everyday.
7. The Tim Ferriss Show (Podcast)
Author of the 4-hour Work Week, Tim Ferriss is all about breaking down how we can use the hours of the day in a more efficient way. His podcast has been rated as one of the top business podcasts on iTunes and he interviews professionals in many industries to get insight into what works and what doesn’t. If you feel like your schedule is never organized, and your time is not used efficiently, this podcast is one to check out.
6. Inbox by Gmail (App)
Platforms: Desktop, Android, iOS
E-mails out of control? I had the privilege of getting this bad boy before it was released to the public, and it was excellent for categorizing and organizing e-mails. For someone like me who receives at least 25 e-mails a day, having them organized is crucial.
5. Trello (App)
Platforms: Desktop, iOS, and Android
I use Trello literally everyday. It’s so good I referenced it in my other article Top 10 Apps for College Students. I used to be so averse to creating lists because I’d often lose the list somewhere. Trello allows you to create and organize lists online and on your phone, so for a complainer like me, there are no more excuses.
4. aCalendar+ (App)
Platforms: Android
If your current calendar app is lacking, or it doesn’t synch with other calendars like your Google calendar, then download this app now. Not only can it send text message reminders for important meetings, it syncso Google Calendar and you can even import your contacts.
3. Beyond the To-Do List (Podcast)
Productivity is the ultimate goal of organization. It’s the reason why some people feel the inherent need to stay organized. Erik Fisher gives the listener strategies they can employ in order to stay productive and organized.
2. Slack (App)
Platforms: Desktop, Android, iOS
Organization isn’t always a solo act. Sometimes being organized also means being able to seamlessly communicate and develop plans with other members of your team. Slack is a responsive persistent chat that allows you to keep communications in one place. I use this for communications in my office for people who work in the field and are rarely at a desk.
1. Home Work (Podcast)
Perfect for those of you that work from home like I do, Home Work is a podcast that dedicates itself to organizing yourself in a space where you don’t necessarily have to be organized. While it delves into all things work -from-home related, there are a couple of episodes dedicated to organizing your workspace and using your time in an efficient and effective way.
If you aren’t organized you should try to get there, even if it takes small steps. Personally I’ve found being more organized makes me more efficient, and I have more time to relax and do other things because of the spare time. Often, it’s that exact “lack of time” which allows us to fall into bad habits. Spend the time now and you’ll receive multiplying rewards in the future.
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