We’ve made it halfway through 2024, and it’s time to take stock. How did you handle the first half of the year? Did you hit your targets, or did life get in the way? The post-holiday period might seem like a distant memory now, but it’s worth reflecting on how well you managed the stress and logistics that inevitably come with the start of a new year. Were you organised enough to meet your goals, or do you feel like you’ve been playing catch-up since January?

If you’re anything like me, the answer might be a mix of successes and setbacks. There were certainly improvements over last year, but there’s still plenty of room for growth as we head into the latter half of 2024. I spend a lot of my time thinking about productivity, both for myself and for my clients. My work involves helping people get their Wills & Estate Plans in order, ensuring that when the unexpected happens, their loved ones are looked after. This is a key part of their life admin—essentially, their way of staying organised. I wish I could say everyone is prompt in responding to my queries, but we all know how life can interfere.

Being organised continues to be a popular goal, and with good reason. The benefits are undeniable: being organised not only allows you to enjoy more of the things you love but also reduces the stress and anxiety that often come with disorganisation. As we move into the second half of 2024, who wouldn’t want to feel more in control and less stressed?

However, becoming organised isn’t as simple as following a few tips or downloading the latest productivity app. It’s about creating a system that’s uniquely tailored to you—a way of organising that fits your life, your needs, and your goals. This system will likely involve elements and skills you haven’t even considered yet, but don’t worry, we’ll explore these more in upcoming posts.

Let me be honest—I’m still not as organised as I’d like to be. I don’t always feel completely in control of my life, so why am I writing about getting organised? The answer lies in the experience I’ve gained and the lessons I’ve learned over the years. I’ve spent nearly 40 years building systems both personally and professionally, from managing logistics to navigating the complexities of parenting and overseeing large-scale projects. One of the key insights I’ve gained is that you can’t just tell people what to do—they need to be involved in the process and take ownership of their part. This collaborative approach dramatically improves how effective a system is, not just for you but for everyone involved.

So, where do you stand in your organisation journey as we hit the mid-year mark? Are you looking to make a few small adjustments, or are you ready for a significant overhaul of how you manage your daily life? Maybe you aspire to be that person who’s always on top of everything, or perhaps you’re striving for a more streamlined, stress-free existence with ample free time. Will this be something you devote a significant amount of time to each day, or just a brief daily check-in?

Let’s imagine we’re all at Point A in our quest to be more organised, and we want to reach Point K—10 steps ahead. What does Point K look like for you?

Action Point: Take a moment to write down what Point K could look like for you. This could be in the form of bullet points or paragraphs. Think about how it would make you feel, how much time you’d like to dedicate to being organised, how much extra time you want to gain, how well you’ll sleep, new goals or hobbies you’d like to pursue, and even new skills you’d like to develop.

As we move forward, let’s make the rest of 2024 our most organised and fulfilling year yet!