While a messy work space might signify your creative genius, a disorganized home is a major source of stress for many people. For naturally disorganized people, the struggle to get our acts together is an uphill battle. Whether we’re juggling¹ meetings and projects at work or dates and social obligations in our free time, something always seems to slip through the cracks. Add on a general inability to find our keys, phones, glasses ― you name it ― and we’ve got a real slice of chaos² on our hands. If you’re ready to start getting your life in order, there are a few organizational tips you can implement³ in your day-to-day routine. Here are few easy tricks that most organized people live by.

一个不规整的工作空间或许暗示着你独创性的天赋，可一个凌乱的家对于很多人来说却是压抑的主要来源。对于那些平常杂乱无章的人而言，努力将行为规整会是一场费力的战斗。无论我们工作时边开会边忙各个项目还是闲暇时边约会边尽社会义务，似乎总有一些事情插在里面搞乱。加上时常找不到钥匙、手机、杯子——你就自己想吧——我们手头上真得会有很多杂乱的琐事。如果你准备让生活归于工整，是有建议供你参考并用于日常生活中的。这里就有规划有序的人用到的一些简单的技巧。

1. They live by lists.

1.他们在生活中常列清单。

The weight of everything left undone⁴ at the end of the day can keep you up at night. If you don’t write down those to-dos, certain tasks can fall through the cracks. Put pen to paper and make a to-do list every day. The key here is making sure your to-do list is manageable. For instance, taking out the trash is an instantly achievable goal, while landscaping the yard is more of a long-term project. Don’t let big tasks frighten or frustrate⁵ you. Break them down into smaller pieces that you can work on every day.

很多未完成的事情压到每天晚上会让你很迟才能睡觉。如果你不把要做的都写下来，有些任务就会漏掉。每天拿出笔纸，列个清单。关键是要确定清单里的事情都是可以完成的。比如，扫出垃圾是即刻就能完成的目标，而布置院子的景观却是一项长期的工程。别让大的任务吓到你或为难到你。把它们分成很多小的，你可以每天完成的任务。

2.They find a home for everything.

2.有规划的人为每样东西找到合适的放置之处。

Ever wonder why you keep losing your keys, smartphone and/or wallet? Let organized people show you the light. The key to organization is making sure everything has its proper place. The easiest way to lose something is to put it down in different places around your home. Establish a charging station for your devices and put them there when not in use. Put your keys and wallet in a catch-all tray in the hall. You’ll be surprised how much quicker you get up and out in the morning when you’re not hunting for your stuff.

你有想过为何总是不断丢钥匙、智能机或者钱包什么的吗？就让那些规划有序的人给你指点迷津吧。这个问题的关键是要确保每样东西都有它合适的放置之处。最易丢东西的方式就是把东西到处放。为你的手机什么的建立一个充电站吧，并且不用的时候就放在那里。把你的钥匙和钱包放在大厅的一个大托盘上。你会惊讶地发现当你不再到处找东西时，从起床到出门会有多么快。

3. They’re decisive.

3.他们很果断。

Being organized requires clear, quick decision-making. Whether they’re cleaning out the closet or planning a dinner party, organized people are able to make choices easily and stick to them. While a perfectionist might agonize⁶ over every option available, organized people have no problem with “good enough.” This skill allows organized people to prioritize their time wisely and efficiently⁷.

规划有序要求人能做明朗、快速的决定。不管是清理衣帽间还是组织派对，他们都会果断决定并坚持计划。然而一个完美主义者往往会纠结于每个可行的选择，规划有序的人不会纠结于“刚刚好”。这项技能使得他们能够明智地，有效地规划时间。

4. They cut the clutter⁸.

4.他们会减轻杂乱。

Remember what we said about making clear, quick decisions? Apply that to all the stuff you own. Chances are you don’t wear many of the clothes in your closet, or read many of the magazines piling up on your coffee table. Grab a trash bag and start tossing any unnecessary items. If you’re having trouble weeding out your wardrobe, try hanging everything backward in your closet. When you wear an item, you can flip⁹ it forward again. You’ll quickly see which clothing you actually wear, and which items are just clutter.

记住你要果断做决定了吗？把这一点应用到你所有的东西上吧。衣橱里的很多衣服你都不穿，堆在咖啡桌上的很多书你都不看。拿个垃圾袋，把一些没用的东西扔掉。如果在清除衣柜时有困难，就请把所有的衣服都挂进衣橱的最里面。当你要穿到一件衣服时，你再拿出来。这样你就可以很快知晓你平时会穿什么，而哪些只能算是杂物。

5. They value their time.

5.他们珍惜时间。

Organized people always seem like they’re able to do it all. But the only reason they manage their workloads¹⁰ so well is by working smarter, not harder. Organized people know they can’t do everything on their own. They delegate responsibilities wisely and know who they can trust to get the job done. If you struggle with certain household tasks, farm them out. You’ll be surprised at what you can get done with your newfound spare time.

规划有序的人似乎能做好所有的事。但能完成好那么大工作量的唯一原因是他们懂得采取更机智的方式，而不是更辛苦的方式。规划有序的人知道他们也不能事事都自己做。他们会明智地委托责任，知道谁值得信任，完成任务。如果你还挣扎于特定的家务，把他们分包出去吧。你会惊讶地发现自己在新挖掘出的时间里都能做些什么。