Now Available: Interactive workbooks to accompany the 52 Organizing Missions program.
Each workbook contains 13 printable missions - with fully interactive planning worksheet, to-do list and success journal for every mission. Find out more.

[Image: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cocokelley/ / CC BY 2.0]

One of the best things you can do to feel organized throughout your day is to prepare well the night before. So in this mission we’ll create your personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine.

You’ll absolutely love the difference completing this mission will make to your daily stress management, time management, and home organization.

Remember: you only need 30 minutes for the basic mission. Extended Options are below.
If you’re new, you might like to start here: 52 Organizing Missions.

Get Organized Mission #20: Create Your Organized Life Bedtime Routine

Step 1: Make a list of what you need to do each night

I suggest you write, or type and print out, your list (or use the suggestions below and print out this post). Take it with you every night as you complete and check off each item.

Include things that will make your mornings calmer and your days better organized, such as:

Tidy

• Do an express tidy and put away books, remotes, toys, etc
• Give surfaces a quick wipe-down
• Use a hand-vac to get rid of crumbs around food areas
• Put dirty clothes and linen in the laundry hamper
• Put clean clothes back in the closet

Organize morning zones for tomorrow

• Load and turn on the dishwasher
• Set the table for breakfast
• Fill the coffee maker
• Check supplies of milk, cereal, etc
• Check towels in the bathroom

Prepare for tomorrow

• Choose your outfit – including shoes and accessories
• Check your diary, the family calendar, the kids’ school schedule – so there are no surprises in the morning
• Get together any special items you or the kids need – like files for a meeting or permission notes for a field trip
• Pack your briefcase, satchel or purse
• Set the alarm, allowing enough time to get ready and to be on time without having to rush

Do a brain dump

• Make a list of things for tomorrow’s attention

Get bed-ready

• Brush and floss your teeth, wash your face, grab your teddy-bear and do whatever else you need to do before popping into bed.

Step 2: Time yourself tonight

Tonight, complete your Organized Life Bedtime Routine and take note of how long it takes. That’s how long you need to allow each night.

Step 3: Do your Organized Life Bedtime Routine every night!

Every night, get out your Organized Life Bedtime Routine list – and follow it! Make it a habit.

Dos & Don’ts

• Don’t turn this into an nightly ordeal. Be quick and spritely. If you’re taking more than 20 – 30 minutes, you’re over-thinking it.
• Don’t feel you have to do it at bedtime. After dinner or any time during the evening is fine – as long as you make it a habit.
• Do remind yourself that the time you spend each night on this ritual will more than pay for itself in better personal organization, time management and stress reduction.

Extended Organizing Mission Options

Want to go beyond this 30-minute organizing mission?

• This is an excellent mission to share with the family. It will both save time and teach the kids valuable personal organization skills. Give them age-appropriate tasks in the Tidy (put away toys?) and Organize morning zones (set the table?) areas. Then add their regular bedtime steps, like packing bags and brushing teeth. It’ll be a big help to give them a printed copy of their personal Organized Life Bedtime Routine too.

Ready, Set, Go!

Remember – move quickly, act fast, don’t overthink.

Congratulations – You’re 40% Complete!

By completing this mission, you’ve made it 40% of the way through the 52 Missions program. You’re nearly halfway there!

Over the past 20 weeks you’ve filled a huge trash bag with stuff, detoxed your bag or briefcase, organized your bills, turned your back on ‘free’ stuff you don’t want, saved time by smartening up your phone and email messages, detoxed your car, reminded yourself how to be happy, decluttered 50 items from your home, set up a simple filing system to take charge of paperwork,  cleared out your closet, created a wardrobe wishlist, taken control of your accounts & credit cards, set up a list of emergency contacts, created a home management binder, organized your kitchen, streamlined your books, CDs, & DVDs, turned your bedroom into a sanctuary, followed 7 steps to organize your computer, organized your office, and now, set up your Organized Life Bedtime Routine .

You should feel really great about how much you’ve achieved. Many people go their whole lives procrastinating on tasks like these. But not you – you’ve followed through on your commitment and you’re creating a happier, more organized life for yourself. I think you’re awesome.

Here’s your well-earned 40% Complete badge. Collect your badge by getting this code (the third one is the 40% Complete badge) and pasting it onto your blog or website.

Before You Go – Please Check In

Please add a comment at the bottom of this post to let your mission-mates know you’ve completed this week’s Get Organized Mission and you’re keeping your commitment.

And see you back here next week!

DID YOU KNOW:

You can get your weekly organizing mission delivered free to your inbox.
Click here to sign up for 52 Organizing Missions.

Related posts:

1. Create Your ‘Organized Life Morning Routine’ [Mission #21]
2. Create Your Bedroom Sanctuary [Mission #17]
3. Create a Chore Chart [Organizing Mission #24]