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Systems for Sanity

Written by: Peggy Porter

Article Overview: Are you always doing things at the last minute? Do you waste time looking for things or asking yourself, How did I do that the last time? Do you feel overwhelmed and disorganized? If so, it may be time to create some systems for your personal and professional life.

Systems for Sanity

Systems for Sanity

Are you always doing things at the last minute? Do you waste time looking for things or asking yourself, How did I do that the last time? Do you feel overwhelmed and disorganized? If so, it may be time to create some systems for your personal and professional life.

A system is really just a regular method or order of doing things that can save you time and energy. For example, do you have a system in place for bill paying or do you just hold your breath that they somehow get paid each month. A system for this might include having a specific monthly file for incoming bills and then placing them in the corresponding date of the month when they are due. You then check the file daily and pay them accordingly. Of course, many of us today have them automatically withdrawn form our account however you can still keep a system in place by making sure the bill and the amount is listed in your cheque register as well as the day it is withdrawn.

Anything you do on a regular basis can be turned into a system that will save loads of time. Another example is a master grocery list written out and placed in a sheet protector, you then take a dry erase marker and tick off your groceries needed each week then wipe it clean for the next time. Also a master, weekly or monthly menu plan that you can rotate will save many moments of “What will I have for supper tonight?” It can also be a great way to save money on groceries because you know just what you need to buy.

After school routines can be systemized. This will not only be good for you, but your kids as well. Create a file folder or an in basket for items needing your signature. When the kids get home have them immediately empty their lunch boxes and book bags, giving you anything you need to sign. Place them in the designated area and then pick a quiet time when you will review and sign. Pick a regular homework time when possible as well as a bedtime routine. For instance, half hour of TV, quiet reading period, light snack, etc. Kids often thrive with regular systems in place.

Do you have a lot of paper clutter in your kitchen? If so, buy a binder with a few divider tabs labeled school, kids activities, community, take out or whatever you are constantly collecting paper for. Put them in a binder under appropriate categories and the next time you need to look up the welcome letter from your child’s gymnastics, it is under Activities. No more paper on the table or on top of the fridge. It is all neatly organized and kept in a convenient place.

What systems do you have in place at work? This is a perfect place for creating organized systems for better productivity and flow to your day. Answering e-mails at a specific time (e.g. at 8:00 am and 2:00 pm) can save you loads of time instead of constantly checking them. Picking a designated time to return phone calls each day can free up blocks of focused time to concentrate on something else. Is your email box full? Choose a regular day a week (or more if necessary) where you will spend at least a half hour filing, deleting or answering these.

Taking the time to create these systems for your home and work life can pay huge dividends. Begin by just writing down the areas where you can systemize. Next, pick one area to start with and then implement more as time allows. You will be amazed at how much more flow and focus you will have in your day.


Systems save your sanity. Now, that’s worth investing in a few file folders.

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Article Tags: bedtime routine, book bags, cheque, dry erase marker, file folder, groceries, grocery list, half hour, homework time, last minute, last time, lunch boxes, marker, master grocery, menu plan, professional life, quiet time, reading period, sanity, sheet protector



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