In ADVICE + THOUGHTS

 I recently found out that there are actually people out there who specialize in organization. Like, it’s their full time job… “professional organizer”…So now I’m sitting here wondering if I missed my calling..But on a serious note, I’ve always been pretty on top of things when it comes to organization. Partly because I’m OCD, partly because it reduces my stress, and partly because it’s the only way to get sh*t done. Whether you’re a student, young professional, business owner, or a stay at home mom.. I strongly believe organization is the key to success (or atleast one of the keys).

Chicwish Sweater (sz small & 15% off) || T Bar Bangle (code tpb-oliviarink for 15% off) || Karen Walker Sunglasses || ASOS  Jeans || Suede Mocassins [Old Navy]

Today I’m sharing what I do to stay organized and on top of things. When I started blogging, I had no idea how many hours of work went in to operating a successful blog. Between writing copy for future posts, managing social media, working with brands, styling shoots, shooting content, managing accounting, answering e-mails, phone meetings, blog conferences, promotional events, and trying to find inspiration on top of all this can get pretty hectic. Not to mention – working out, cleaning, laundry, cooking, and attempting to be hair/makeup ready at all times..uhg men have it so easy 😉

So, if you’re having a hard time trying to manage it all, maybe it’s time to switch up the way you organize things. Here are a few of my tips for:

 

1. Become a to-do list queen…At the beginning of each day, I hand-write a list of all the things I need to get done that day. Prioritize in order from most important to least important. Highlight the things you HAVE TO get done before going to sleep that night. Cross things off as you complete each task for a sense of satisfaction! For those of you who are more digital – iCal is great.

2. Invest in a good planner… I use two planners – one for personal life and the other for work. If that’s a little intense for you, one detailed planner will do. Take it with you everywhere in case you need to schedule things on the go (invest in a good tote bag that will fit your planner). Write in pencil!!! Life is unpredictable and things change every day.

  
3. Use a giant desk calendar…Lay it on your desk or hang it on your wall. It’s a great way to see your whole month for planning and deadline purposes. I can’t plan anything unless I can visualizing my entire month (white board works too).

4. Figure out your most productive time of day and capitalize on it…I’ve become quite the night owl lately, so I make sure to get all of my errands done throughout the morning & afternoon while things are open, then it’s crunch time at night. Whatever time you’re most driven, creative, and focused, take advantage of those hours and minimize distractions (phone, friends, food, tv).See where to find your own personalized notepads here: Curio Press

5. Set deadlines.. A very important life skill.

6. I sit down and tackle e-mails twice a day…
Once when I wake up in the morning and once before I go to bed at night. When I don’t get to them all, I make sure to atleast categorize them all on gmail and then block out a couple hours at the beginning of each week to respond to them all because nothing stresses me out like seeing that terrifying red number on my gmail app.Fun fact: I’m an extremely fast typer (like 85 words/minute) and I never knew that you used shift to capitalize letters. My whole life I’ve used caps lock on, caps lock off when I want an uppercase letter. Lol.

7. Keep a notebook for ideas – don’t clutter your to-do list…I keep a tiny “ideas notebook” with me at all times. I use it for random thoughts, blog ideas, when I panic and rememeber I forgot to do something, etc. Don’t write these on your to-do list. Clutter, uhg.

8. Work outside your home (especially students)… I work from home, so I have a pretty good desk set up going on right now away distractions. But, sometimes it’s nice to get out of the house. Find your favorite local coffee joint and post up shop for a few hours to load up on caffeine and get things done.

9. Take a break…Getting out and stepping away from your work is good for a lot of reasons. I’ve noticed that when I try to write about a topic when I’m not focused, my writing kind of sucks. A change of scenery is always beneficial! So, whether you’re studying or doing some type of work project,  it’s important to change things up so you don’t lose inspiration.

I hope these organization tips help you to stay a bit more organized in your daily life! All of the my personalized stationary in this post is from my sweet friend Alexis at Curio Presscheck out her Etsy shop here. If you’re an avid list-maker like me, you have to order some of her cute notepads!

Other favorite Chicwish items:

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Showing 53 comments
  • Anonymous
    Reply

    Hey, I posted this question a few days ago on your April hair blog. Since I hadn't heard back, I thought maybe you don't go that far back. Sorry it doesn't really apply to this post!–

    Hi, Olivia! My flat iron just died yesterday. I was hoping to find out what kind you use on this old post; however, I don't see one listed. Anyways, I would appreciate any recommendations!!! My old flat iron was ten years old so I've been out of the market for a while. Thanks!

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    Just wondering what color of nail polish you are wearing here!! Love it! Thanks so much!

  • Olivia Rink
    Reply

    Hello! I actually don't straighten my hair so I don't have a good recommendation for that. I'm sorry! I used to use one from Target 🙂

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    This lipstick looks great on you!! What kind is it? Thanks!

  • Unknown
    Reply

    Hi Olivia! I love your blog and follow routinely!

    My favorite quote is: "the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams" (Eleanor Roosevelt) or "she believed she could, so she did"

    My instagram name is: @lizlitzinger

  • Ashton Otte
    Reply

    Favorite quote by the one and only Lilly Pulitzer: "being happy never goes out of style"
    Instagram: @ashtontaylor9

  • Julie
    Reply

    "Let your smile change the world"
    @julie_hayden

  • Sydney Rice
    Reply

    "Happy girls are the prettiest"
    @sydneyjay

  • Alyssa
    Reply

    Favorite quote: "she is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future" proverbs 31:25 <3 Instagram: @_alyssalouwho

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    I'm very organized, too! Lol I'm pretty sure I missed that calling as well. Favorite quote: "Behind every successful woman is herself."
    IG: meghanndoubleyou

  • Shelby Noble
    Reply

    My favorite quote is from the movies Daydream Nation: "I'm the main character of my life." Only when we realize this do we truly become the best versions of ourselves in life and love. ❤️🌿@shelbyleenoble

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    "Do what you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. " -Maya Angelou
    Instagram: missbritnichole

  • Alison Schlotfeldt
    Reply

    "Be silly. Be honest. Be kind." – Emerson
    Insta : @ali_schlo32

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    Hi! My favorite quote is "live in the sunshine, swim the sea, drink the wild air," by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I am a beach bum at heart haha. My IG name is @mrskorinicole_. Go Irish!

  • Kayla Foster
    Reply

    "Keep your face always toward the sunshine and the shadows will fall behind you." – Walt Whitman

    Instagram: @kayla_foster

  • allie anstead
    Reply

    Favorite quote: "The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all the world needs dreamers who do." @al_anstead
    Love your blog and your instagram account. 🙂 I'm a born and raised Kentucky gal which makes your success even more inspiring!

  • saranoel
    Reply

    I needed this post! thank you! (also, where did you get that darling wall calendar?)

    favorite quote: "spread love wherever you go. let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -mother theresa
    ig account: @saranoelll

  • Unknown
    Reply

    "Go into the world and do great, but more importantly go into the world and do good."

    Instagram: w_vau

  • Katie Evans
    Reply

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Katie Evans
    Reply

    Love your blog! And I desperately needed to read this post!
    My favorite quote is "She's a dreamer, a doer, a thinker. She sees possibility everywhere."
    IG: candibykaitlyn

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    Thanks for all your tips! Your blog is always on point!

    My favorite quote is: "Do things with passion, or not at all; wherever you go, go with all your heart."

    IG: kayleighwolfhope

  • Meredith Thomley
    Reply

    My very favorite quote is rather lengthy, but BOY is it a good'un!

    “I want a life that sizzles and pops and makes me laugh out loud. And I don't want to get to the end, or to tomorrow, even, and realize that my life is a collection of meetings and pop cans and errands and receipts and dirty dishes. I want to eat cold tangerines and sing out loud in the car with the windows open and wear pink shoes and stay up all night laughing and paint my walls the exact color of the sky right now. I want to sleep hard on clean white sheets and throw parties and eat ripe tomatoes and read books so good they make me jump up and down, and I want my everyday to make God belly laugh, glad that he gave life to someone who loves the gift.”
    Shauna Niequist, Cold Tangerines

    IG: merediththomley

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    My favorite quote is "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." It's Teddy Roosevelt who I love in his own right and also as played by Robin Williams in the Night at the Museum movies. It's the perfect little mantra when you need a little inspiration.

    instagram: bayy.z

  • Alyson Branscum
    Reply

    "Count your rainbows. Not your thunderstorms." – Alyssa Knight

    Instagram: @alysonbranscum

  • Nicci Hish
    Reply

    You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, "I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along." You must do the thing you think you cannot do. — Eleanor Roosevelt

    Instagram: Niccihish

  • Leanza Pieroni
    Reply

    Love your blog!
    Instagram name: @Leanza_Pieroni

    Favorite quote: "All you need is sunshine and a little pink" -Lilly Pulitzer ☀️💗

  • Laura Freet
    Reply

    "Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead." 1 Peter 1:6– I love this verse because it is so encouraging and gives me so much hope! @laura_freet

  • Nicki
    Reply

    "What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?" Vincent Van Gogh (His autobiography "Lust For Life" written by Irving Stone is incredibly inspiring, and I read it in high school!) @nihaonicki

  • Nicole Mark
    Reply

    Love this!
    Favorite quote : life is uncertain, eat dessert first
    @nmark39

  • Jill Taliancich
    Reply

    "Do one thing every day that scares you." – Eleanor Roosevelt

    Instagram: @takeeajillpill

  • Katie Jarvis
    Reply

    "She turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans" @katjarvi

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    Favorite quote: "In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9"
    Instagram: @delaneyrae_burton

  • Lolo
    Reply

    "You're only as good as your word" @lebarthlow

  • Sarahdavison.23
    Reply

    Hi Olivia! my quote is "A girl should be two things, classy and fabulous." -Coco Chanel
    and my Instagram name is @sarahdavison.23
    🙂

  • Nina Thomas
    Reply

    What a post! I loved reading every bit of it, especially when I read about taking breaks … My mind gets so much clearer when I give myself a "mental break."

    "Sometimes in the waves of change, we find our true direction."

    Instagram: @nina_bow_bina

    Thanks for sharing, Olivia! ❤️

  • Samantha Angel
    Reply

    "We're all just walking each other home."

    @samanthamangel

  • Abel E-News Team
    Reply

    "You try to re-create the magic you remember"

    @imma_bea_rockin_like_dis

  • Tara Sparks
    Reply

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Tara
    Reply

    Hi! My favorite quote for the longest time has been – "The purpose of life, after all, is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, and to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experiences.” -Eleanor Roosevelt

    @tlsparks8

  • lexi grabinger
    Reply

    "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."
    -George Shaw
    @lexigrabinger

  • Erin Johnson
    Reply

    My favorite quote and daily mantra is actually one from my mom. She always says to take things one day at a time. It helps me from getting too overwhelmed by the constant to-do list. Get done what you can and then there's always tomorrow!

    @planningforparis_erin

  • Erica Ligenza
    Reply

    Love!

    My favorite quote (right now) is:
    "Everyone's a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it'll love it's whole life believing it's stupid." – Albert Einstein

    Such a good reminder to just focus on our own individual awesomeness and not get caught up n the comparison game with others!

    http://cominguprosestheblog.com
    And my Instagram is: @ericaligenza
    (:

  • Laura Beth Clymer
    Reply

    Hi Olivia!

    I love this post (and all of your posts) and your tips are so helpful! I can relate to the multiple to-do lists and planners – I've been planning a wedding for the last year, which will be here in less than 2 weeks (Oct. 3)!!! I would absolutely love to be chosen for your giveaway. I will be needing to update my personalized stationary with my NEW last name! 🙂

    My favorite quote is the golden rule – treat others as you want to be treated. So simple, yet so important.

    Best,
    Laura Beth
    Instagram: @lbclymer

  • Laura Beth Clymer
    Reply

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Sara Rogers
    Reply

    "Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day."

    Instagram: sara_rogers

  • Jen
    Reply

    Yes, I totally love that there are professional organizers out there! I also agree that you should always carry a notebook because you never know when you may need to write something down and it's so much nicer than plugging it all into your phone!

  • Anonymous
    Reply

    "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter." – e.e. cummings
    @tallyy268

  • Catharine Covalt
    Reply

    "Go everywhere in the world and tell the good news to everyone" Mark 16:15 Instagram: @catlyonc

  • rania Crete
    Reply

    "Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence."
    Vince Lombardi

  • Paige
    Reply

    Love your nail polish color! What color is it?

  • Paige
    Reply

    Please please please do a makeup tutorial! Your makeup is always so flawless and to die for 🙂

    • http://oliviarink.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gravatar-olivia-rink.jpg
      Olivia Rink
      Reply

      Hi Paige! I’m working on getting the right camera set-up to record something and then I’ll be putting one on my website asap! Thank you!!

  • Brianna
    Reply

    OMG I would love to be a professional organizer haha
    Brianna | https://briannamarielifestyle.com/

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