Do you feel like you're entering a war zone from the moment you step foot in your teenager's room? You've likely noticed by now that they're not the most organized, but living in dysfunction and clutter can affect anyone's mental health. If you're looking for ways to help your teen get organized, you will be glad to know it's not as hard as it may seem. The goal is to use simple organization tips while leading by example to help improve your teenager's organizational skills.
#1. Provide Your Teen with a Planner
Everyone can use a planner, whether you're a teen or an adult because they make life easier! Consider buying a fun, decorative planner for your teenager and encourage them to use it to jot down the different tasks they need to complete, including school assignments, chores, and extracurricular activities, such as sports, drama club, and anything else they like to do. When your teen begins keeping track of everything they need to get done for the week, it's easier for them to stay on track and remain organized.
#2. Make Getting Into a Routine a Priority
Try to get your teen in the habit of a routine, where they're getting up at the same time each day, showering, getting dressed, going to school, and then studying or completing their homework before taking on other tasks. You may have specific things for them to do throughout the week, such as taking out the trash at a particular time one day or cleaning their room on another day. If you can turn these tasks into a routine that your teen gets used to, it eventually becomes second nature to them, and they will often get better at keeping things organized and managing their time more efficiently.
#3. Dedicate One Hour a Day to Organizing
Teach your child to dedicate one hour a day to organizing and lead by example by doing the same thing. When neglecting responsibilities, it's easy to end up with a cluttered, disorganized mess that causes you to feel stressed and overwhelmed. However, if you spend at least one hour a day doing something to help with organizing, such as cleaning out your closet, wiping down your bookshelf, sweeping dust from the floor, or even putting away dishes, it can make a huge difference. Ask your teen for assistance or encourage them to organize their own spaces throughout the home to keep things looking and feeling their best.
#4. Encourage Breaks Between Tasks
While you want your teen to be more responsible and organized, you should also encourage small breaks between tasks to keep them from feeling overwhelmed. For example, your teen can set a timer, complete specific tasks, and then take a brief break of about 15-20 minutes before moving on to the next thing in their planner or on their to-do list. Knowing they get that short reward after getting something done can keep them motivated.
If you think your teen needs additional help with their organizational skills that go beyond these basic organization tips, a coach can make a difference by providing professional assistance and guidance. Schedule your discovery call with Walk Forward Coaching today to help your teen get organized in little to no time!
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