Practical Tips to Get Organised at Work
Getting organised isn’t about creating the perfect system or having everything planned down to the minute.
For most people, it’s about creating enough structure to reduce mental load, regain a sense of control, and move through the working week with more clarity and less stress.
When things feel disorganised, even small tasks can feel overwhelming. When things are organised, it’s easier to respond to unexpected issues, make decisions, and switch off at the end of the day.
The following tips are practical, realistic, and designed to support organisation without adding pressure or complexity.
Start the Week With a Clear Plan
Setting aside time at the beginning of the week to plan can make a noticeable difference to how the rest of the week feels.
Creating a weekly to-do list — ideally on a Sunday evening or first thing on Monday — allows you to see what’s coming and mentally prepare for it. This helps reduce the feeling of carrying unfinished tasks around in your head.
Focus on:
What needs to be done
What’s a priority
What can realistically wait
Clarity at the start of the week often leads to better sleep, fewer last-minute decisions, and more confidence throughout the week.
Clear Physical and Digital Clutter
There’s truth in the idea that a cluttered environment can affect focus and clarity.
Taking time to tidy your workspace can help you feel more organised almost immediately. This doesn’t mean perfection — it means removing what you don’t need and putting systems in place for what you do.
Consider:
Filing or scanning paperwork
Organising folders on your computer
Archiving old emails
Clearing your desktop
Digital clutter is often overlooked, but it can be just as distracting as physical mess.
Reduce Distractions Where Possible
Distractions are part of modern working life, particularly when working from home.
While not all distractions can be eliminated, setting boundaries around them can improve focus significantly.
This might include:
Letting others know when you need uninterrupted time
Setting clear start and finish times for focused work
Creating signals that indicate you’re working
Small changes can help protect your attention without requiring complete isolation.
Be Intentional With Phone Use
Phones are one of the biggest sources of lost time during the working day.
When deep focus is needed, removing your phone from immediate reach can help. Putting it on silent, turning off notifications, or checking it at set intervals reduces constant interruptions.
This isn’t about being unreachable — it’s about creating space to concentrate when it matters most.
Use a Calendar to Create Structure
Calendars aren’t just for meetings — they’re tools for planning time intentionally.
Using a scheduling tool that allows clients or colleagues to book time with you can help:
Reduce back-and-forth emails
Protect focused working time
Give visibility over your week
Seeing commitments laid out clearly helps you feel more in control and prevents overbooking.
Learn to Say No (or Not Right Now)
Organisation often requires boundaries.
Saying yes to everything can quickly derail even the best plans. If something hasn’t been planned for or isn’t urgent, it’s okay to say no — or to schedule it for later.
This doesn’t mean being inflexible. It means protecting your time and energy so you can work more effectively.
Set the Right Tone at the Start of the Week
Mindset plays a bigger role in organisation than many people realise.
Beginning the week with negativity or reluctance can influence focus and productivity. Taking a few minutes to identify what you want to achieve — and how you’ll acknowledge that progress — can help set a more positive tone.
Organisation supports mindset, and mindset supports organisation.
Schedule Breaks Intentionally
Breaks aren’t a distraction from productivity — they support it.
Without breaks, focus declines and clarity fades. Stepping away from work, even briefly, allows your mind to reset.
Scheduling breaks into your day makes them more likely to happen and helps maintain energy throughout the day.
Involve Others in Your Plan
Sharing your intentions can increase accountability.
Letting a partner, colleague, or peer know that you’re working on becoming more organised can help reinforce commitment. Once a plan is spoken out loud, it often feels more real.
Support and encouragement from others can make a big difference.
Acknowledge Progress and Reward Yourself
Organisation isn’t about constant effort — it’s about creating systems that work.
When you notice improvements, acknowledge them. Gaining control over your time, reducing stress, or feeling more prepared deserves recognition.
Small rewards can reinforce positive habits and make organisation feel sustainable rather than restrictive.
Final Thoughts
Getting organised at work isn’t about perfection or rigid rules.
It’s about creating enough structure to support focus, clarity, and balance — while allowing flexibility where it’s needed.
Small, consistent changes often lead to the biggest improvements over time.
If you’re struggling to stay organised or feel overwhelmed by day-to-day admin and systems, practical support can help create clarity and structure behind the scenes.
Our admin and operations support helps businesses streamline processes, reduce pressure, and work more effectively.