I meditate each morning. I know it's not for everyone, but I do recommend one thing in the morning you like to do that makes you feel calm and relaxed. That's the state I want to start my day with, so I can focus on what needs to be done in the right order and not get overwhelmed by my day before it even starts. I tend to use a morning coffee on the days I need to rush out instead, the act of drinking the coffee and sitting for just minute, or holding that warm travel mug in my hand, is just another way to "meditate" into your day. Focus on that one thing and let other thoughts leave your mind.
Another good start to the day is knowing what you need to do. For this I've created a dreaded to do list. However I found a way to do it without increasing my stress. I made a "today" list, a "this week" list, a "this month" list, and even one for the year or longer. I've made it on my phone so that if I don't finish a task it gets moved, and I can track those among other notes. Books I want to read, things I need to pick up for future gifts, items I'm watching for on sale. The options are endless for keeping track of all the little details, and so much lighter then carrying around an every expanding day planner (which I DO still have and use daily). These lists help me to organize my time in an efficient manner and to delay or delegate when I need to.
A proper dayplanner is essential to me. Not because my phone can't track appointments, but writing things down helps me to remember them and become less reliant on books and phones and notes. I keep my appointments, my family appointments, my promises, my plans, all in my dayplanner and I have to make sure to look at it every day, if only to assure me that I'm remembering the right things. This is great for things in the future because it goes for the whole year, and I can colour code it as much as I want. Sometimes I add chores, but I don't always get them done on the assigned day.
Then I prepared my goals. My goals for the month, my goals for the year, and my future goals. This has been wonderfully helpful in making sure I'm moving the right way every day, that each time I have a spare moment to work towards my ultimate goals that I'm using them properly. I added a few things I need to do towards that into my to do lists, vague and floating around in my to do lists, but there all the same. I'm sure this will help me get there faster. If I had no goals, then which way would my life end up going? I need to focus or I'm floundering around with no direction.
I keep coupons ready and in my folder, in the car. I keep my lists near at all times. I keep shopping lists for when things go on sale. The paperwork grows but the feeling of freedom and the productivity are more then worth it!
Another thing to organize is the plastics cupboard. How a bunch of conatiners, lids, and bowls can get so mixed up is something I'll never understand. That makes lunches so much harder! Pantry is sorted with lunch items nearest the door and easy to grab. I pack the main sandwich or alternative, and it's up to the lunch eater to grab the rest and put it together. Saves me time and argument, and lunch comes home eaten every day.
My desk is next on the list. I don't know how it ends up the way it does, but everything not important has to go, and whatever is important needs to be filed. This could be the only task for a day, it may take that long...
I'm sure that once I'm organized this year will be productive and happy!