By Erin Neumann

As co-owner of Sacred Space Organizing I’ve witnessed firsthand how disorganization in our physical spaces mirrors how we manage our time. 

I have a feeling you’ll agree when I say time is one of our most precious resources. 

Managing it well will transform not only your productivity, but also your sense of fulfillment and mission in this world.  

When I wake up with purpose and passion, it sets the tone for my entire day; when I hit that snooze button, it has the opposite effect. 

But hear this: It’s not just about waking up early to get more things done. Mastering time management is an essential skill—and one that can be learned and refined. 

Let’s dive into actionable strategies to reclaim your day and regain control of your schedule. 

Why Your Schedule Feels Overwhelming 

A cluttered schedule is like a cluttered space—it leaves you feeling overwhelmed and unsure of where to start. 

Many of us overcommit, failing to set boundaries or prioritize effectively. This often results in days packed with activities that don’t align with our long-term goals or personal values.  

Taking control of a cluttered schedule begins with identifying the commitments that truly serve our purpose. Start by listing every activity, task, and obligation that fills your days and honestly evaluate which ones are essential.  

By letting go of commitments that don’t align with our values, we create space for activities that matter most, allowing for greater sense of purpose. 

Often, our inability to say no comes from a desire to please others or avoid conflict.  

Reframing our mindset to view time as a limited resource—one that must be guarded, protected, and spent wisely—can empower us to make more intentional choices about where we invest our energy. 

When we approach our schedule with the same care we bring to organizing a physical space, we find it easier to maintain balance and reduce overwhelm. 

Try it. 

The Power of Prioritization 

At Sacred Space Organizing, our mission is to help our clients live an intentional life. That’s why we do our best to inspire our community to focus on what truly matters. 

Effective time management isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most. 

The biggest challenge is determining what truly deserves our attention.  

Stephen Covey’s time management matrix provides a helpful framework for categorizing tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, not urgent but important, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important.  

Photo By: https://www.usemotion.com/blog/time-management-matrix

This system encourages us to focus on tasks that are important but not urgent, such as long-term planning, self-care, and relationship building, all of which are activities that often fall by the wayside when we are consumed by compounding demands. 

To prioritize effectively, start by identifying your core values and goals.  

Reflect on what success looks like for you in both your personal and professional life. Then, align your daily activities with these priorities.  

For example, if family is top value, ensure your schedule includes meaningful time spent with loved ones. If growing your business is a goal, allocate dedicated time for strategic planning and professional development. 

By attaching your time to your values, you’ll find greater satisfaction in how you spend your days. 

Time Blocking: The Organizer’s Secret Weapon 

Time blocking is a powerful strategy that transforms never-ending to-do lists into structured, actionable plans. 

This method involves dividing our day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or category of activities.  

Unlike traditional task lists, time blocking ensures we give important tasks the time and focus they deserve, minimizing procrastination and distraction. 

To implement time blocking effectively, begin by identifying your “big rocks” (your most important tasks or projects).  

Photo by Asana

It’s important to allocate dedicated blocks of time to these priorities early in the day when our energy and focus are at their peak. 

Pro tip: Read Deep Work by Cal Newport if you want to really learn to maximize your focus and efficiency. 

Next, schedule smaller tasks, such as responding to emails or attending meetings, around these blocks.  

Don’t forget to include buffer time for breaks and unexpected interruptions.  

Tools like digital calendars or physical planners can help you visualize your time blocks and stay on track.  

Over time, this approach will help you develop a rhythm that balances productivity with well-being. 

Find (and Eliminate) Time Wasters 

Time drains are the silent ninjas that steal our productivity and leave us feeling rushed, unaccomplished, and unfulfilled. Common time drains include excessive social media use, unproductive meetings, and multitasking.  

To regain control of your day, it’s essential to identify and address these inefficiencies. 

Conducting a time audit is an excellent starting point. Track your activities for a week, noting how much time you spend on each task. This exercise will reveal patterns and highlight areas where you’re wasting time. Once you’ve identified your time drains, take actionable steps to eliminate them. 

For example, set specific times to check emails rather than allowing them to interrupt your workflow throughout the day. Limit social media usage by designating time slots for scrolling or using apps like Brick to restrict screen time. 

Remember, awareness is always the first step in creating better, healthier habits.  

Creating a Weekly Reset Routine 

A weekly reset is a powerful ritual that allows us to reflect on the past week and prepare for the week ahead to truly set us up for success. This practice helps us stay organized, anticipate challenges, and approach our schedule with intention. 

To conduct a weekly reset, choose a consistent time each week (mine is Monday morning when my daughter is at school) to review your calendar and tasks. 

Begin by evaluating the previous week: 

• What went well?  
• What could be improved?  

Use these insights to adjust your approach for the coming week.  

Next, identify your priorities and schedule them into your calendar.  

Consider upcoming deadlines, personal commitments, and goals you’d like to achieve. Be sure to add buffer time to your tasks as they almost always take longer to complete than you think.  

By taking a proactive approach to planning, we can powerfully set ourselves up for a more organized, productive, and successful week ahead. 

Building Momentum: Small Wins for Big Results 

Big changes often begin with small, consistent actions. When it comes to time management, achieving small wins can build momentum and motivate us to tackle larger goals. These victories not only boost our confidence but also create a sense of accomplishment that propels us forward. 

To build momentum, start each day with a “power hour” dedicated to completing one or two high-priority tasks. These tasks should align with long-term goals and provide a sense of progress.  

For example, spending an hour organizing client paperwork or creating a marketing plan can set the tone for a productive day. 

As high achievers, it might seem silly, but celebrating these small wins, whether by acknowledging progress internally or rewarding yourself with a short break, is vital to long-term success. 

The important thing is to build momentum and keep it going. 

Over time, these incremental wins will drive meaningful results. 

Setting Up Systems for Long-Term Success 

As a professional organizer, I intimately understand the value of systems in creating order and efficiency. 

Applying these principles to time management can streamline daily routines and reduce decision fatigue, making it easier to stay on track. 

Developing systems for managing your time starts with choosing tools that align with your needs and goals.  

Digital platforms like Trello or Asana offer customizable templates for tracking tasks and deadlines, while pen and paper methods like bullet journaling provide a more hands-on approach to planning. 

If you’re a fellow professional organizer (or thinking about becoming one), tools like Systemize Studio can help you streamline your business operations, simplify your marketing efforts, and ultimately scale your organizing business. 

While systems are the key, consistent use will transform the way you manage your time and business. 

By investing in the right tools and establishing consistent, healthy habits, you’re not just managing your time—you’re intentionally creating a life (and business) you love. 

Conclusion 

Mastering time management isn’t just about becoming more productive, it’s about reclaiming your life.  

By decluttering your schedule, prioritizing what matters, and implementing systems that work, you can create a life that feels aligned, organized, and deeply fulfilling. 

These strategies not only enhance your own life but also equip you to better serve your clients.  

Let’s lead by example, showing that an organized and clutter-free schedule is the foundation for success and fulfillment. 

To your continued success 🥂  

Here at NAPO, our leading productivity and organizing experts are ready to help; find a pro near you.

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