The key to getting your life together is by simplifying it. However, just saying that isn’t so simple, so I’ve created a long list of action steps that you can take right away! This post is going to help you learn how to get your life together and make your dream life a reality.
Before we get into that, I’m sure you are wondering:
How does life get so off course?
I get it, friend! Sometimes life steps in the way without notice or any warning to you getting off track. You struggle with juggling it all, so you settle into a routine that helps you get by for now.
When you finally wake up to what has happened, things may be so far off course that you wonder how you got there and how in the world you could ever get back on track.
You may also wonder:
What does it mean to get your life together?
I get this question, too! For a long time, I personally sought the meaning of getting my life together. After many attempts, I finally figured a few things out and was led to share it with women, just like you.
Honestly, the first piece of advice I want to give you is to make the decision to take action on the steps I provide within this post.
I’ve created a checklist for you, so you don’t have to memorize each step and can progress through it at your own pace. You can get access to it by filling out this form.
Action steps for how to get your life together
The following action steps are to help you get your life together, but don’t let all the steps together overwhelm you. This is meant to be taken one step at a time and at your own pace.
By doing each of these, you will figure out how to get your life together and get back on course to make your dream life a reality.
1 // Define what you want for your life
There are two things to consider in this step:
- Present life
- Future life
Define what you want for where you are currently and where you want to be in the future. By defining what you want for your life in both settings, you will find some of the disconnects.
When you find things that aren’t aligned with what you want, ask yourself what adjustments you can make to realign yourself and start making those adjustments.
2 // Determine what is holding you back
While you may have taken up some routines or actions that caused you to get off track, there are likely some things that are also holding you back from progressing. Get honest with yourself about these things because that is the only way to stop allowing them to hold you back.
The more open and honest you are with yourself, the quicker you’ll be back to get back on track.
3 // Stop complaining!
Your life is what you make of it. If you don’t like where you are, do something about it. Take action rather than complain about it.
Complaining does nothing except keep you from the life you want, so don’t do it. Instead, use that energy to focus on getting where you want to be.
4 // Don’t sweat the small stuff
Whether you feel a bit too relaxed in your routine or something went wrong, don’t sweat it. Things happen, and you just have to roll with it. Let those small things go, and keep moving forward.
Tomorrow is always a fresh start, so use that to your advantage!
5 // Be proactive versus reactive
Nothing will happen if you just allow life to happen. You have to be proactive towards living the life of your dreams. Make a plan and work that plan!
Wouldn’t it be great if you could take a few steps each day that help you feel empowered and help you enjoy life to the fullest?
The great news is that if you take a proactive approach to getting and keeping your life together, you can experience that any time you want!
6 // Set goals for your life
Supporting my last step, setting goals for your life, helps you keep focus on where you are headed and makes it difficult to get off track.
Here are the areas in your life I suggest you set goals for, but don’t feel like you have to have goals for each of these all the time. If you are happy with where you are in some of these categories, just keep doing what you’re doing.
- Career
- Health
- Money
- Entertainment
- Contributions
Your goals should feel motivating and attainable. This doesn’t mean that you should stretch yourself but set goals that aren’t completely impossible either.
For example, let’s say you want to set a money goal of saving $10,000. You don’t want to set that to achieve in one month from now if you’re at $0 and make less than that each month.
Instead, you’ll evaluate what you believe is possible and use that timeline as your goal. So you may decide that you can save $1,000 a month, and in 10 months, you’ll have saved $10,000.
Of course, things may come up that may cause you to adjust your goals, but as long as you ebb and flow with them, you can definitely stay on track!
7 // Get organized!
I could use this one entire point to teach you how to get your life together because that is how powerful being organized is. When you have systems in place that keep your home clean and tidy, life is impressively simpler.
If you aren’t organized, here are a few steps I recommend to get there:
- Declutter your home
- Do a massive Brain Dump of everything you need to do
- Plan your days the night before
When it comes to decluttering your home, I’ve created a workbook that walks you step-by-step through your home so that decluttering isn’t overwhelming or stressful! You can check it out here!
Doing a massive Brain Dump will allow you to see everything you think you should do. However, I am going to challenge you to look through this list to determine if it really needs to be done by you.
You’ll mark each item on your list as Do It, Dump It, or Delegate It.
The reason you write it all out is so that your brain knows it can let it go, and then if you decide that you can dump it, it leaves your mind for good.
The things you do and delegate need to be planned out and dealt with accordingly, which leads me to the next step.
Planning your days the night before is a massive game-changer for anyone who just wants a better night’s rest.
I’ve written a post about my Nightly Routine that will help you establish one that works well for you to help keep you organized and proactive.
8 // Prioritize your life
Sometimes life happens, and you find yourself saying “yes,” to all the things without thinking.
By creating a priority list for your life, you allow yourself the opportunity to say “no,” to things that aren’t a real priority for your life.
9 // Establish a routine
You only have a set amount of decisions you can make each day before fatigue sets in, and having routines helps you save those decisions for things that actually matter.
A few routines you should consider are a work routine, a morning and nightly routine, a cleaning routine, and even a decluttering routine.
While life isn’t about running on automation, it is nice to have set routines to ensure you accomplish everything in your day that you hope to do.
Related Posts:
- Minimalist Morning Routine: How I Set My Day Up For Success
- My Nightly Routine that Sets Me Up For A Better Morning
- A Simple Weekend Routine for a Stress-Free Week
- How to Reduce Stress at Home with 5 Simple Routines
- A Simple Cleaning Routine Workbook
10 // Do the hardest task of the day first
By doing this, you are ensuring that the dread you would feel by procrastinating certain tasks doesn’t occur. It creates a pleasant experience for the rest of the day and a confidence boost!
I always plan my day with the hardest tasks so that the rest of the day goes better than I could have imagined.
11 // Become a problem-solver
One reason life gets so off track is because you want to stew in your problems versus finding a solution for your problems. I’ve been guilty of this myself.
However, when you take control of your problems and look for ways to solve them, great things can happen. You may find yourself doing things you never thought possible because you took action and solved your problems.
12 // Find a mentor
Do you know someone who is doing the things you wish to be doing? If so, ask them to be your mentor so that they can help guide you in the right direction. You’d be surprised at how many people would love to help if they were simply asked.
If you aren’t brave enough to ask them directly, study what they are doing to create that life for themselves and try them on for size. You will be surprised at the difference an indirect mentor can make.
13 // Simplify your processes
Oftentimes, humans overcomplicate things. Surprising, I know!
Look at what you’re doing and ask yourself how you could simplify your process. What steps are unnecessary, and what could you do instead to make it simpler?
For example, if you’re waiting until 5 pm every day to decide what is for dinner, you’re wasting a lot of time and energy that could be spent enjoying life.
Instead, set aside 20-30 minutes at the beginning of the week to plan out your meals and stick to the plan. It opens up a lot of time for other things and makes cooking far more enjoyable!
14 // Get around people who have their lives together [like actually together]
You are a product of the 5 closest relationships you have, so if you’re around a lot of people who don’t have their lives together, odds are you won’t either.
Now defining an inner circle of relationships that includes people who have their lives together could mean letting go of toxic relationships.
It can be difficult but imagine your life with the 5 closest relationships, including people who have their lives together and encourage you versus the opposite.
15 // Increase your responsibilities
Sometimes life goes array because you don’t have enough responsibilities to help hold you accountable. Responsibilities help give you purpose, so increasing them can help you get your life together.
You can increase your responsibilities by getting a plant to take care of or, if you already have a plant, possibly an animal. It doesn’t have to be a large increase, but do something to get you outside of your comfort zone a little.
16 // Stop seeking external happiness
When you look outside of yourself for happiness, you find yourself always looking for it but never really getting it. Instead, look internally to find happiness.
One thing you should know is that happiness is a fleeting emotion that takes commitment and persistence to feel. When you focus your efforts internally, it is simpler to feel happy.
One exercise that has allowed me to feel happy is writing out things I’m grateful for having or experiencing that day. It not only makes me feel happy, but I also get to feel joy, gratitude, thankful, and many other emotions depending on what I write.
17 // Make your bed every morning
Start your morning by making your bed. It is a quick and easy win that will carry over into the rest of the day and help you feel like you know how to get your life together and keep it together.
18 // Go to bed with a clean kitchen
The same confidence you get with making your bed every morning is replicated when you go to bed with a clean kitchen. Not only do you win that night with a better night’s rest, but you also wake up feeling like a winner because the kitchen is a clean slate.
19 // Incorporate a life admin day
I learned this from MuchelleB on YouTube. I will say that if you want to get a lot of tasks off your list in a very productive and fast way, this is something you need in your life!
20 // Don’t take things so personally
When things don’t work out as planned, or someone critiques something you’ve done can be an invitation to be offended. In fact, I think society in general needs this tip, as it seems that everyone gets offended by the smallest things.
Make it a point to not be someone who is easily offended. I know it is against the grain and society in general, but “if everyone else jumped off the bridge, would you?”
Just because they are jumping doesn’t mean you have to as well, especially when it prevents you from keeping your life together.
You deserve far more, my friend!
21 // Establish boundaries where necessary
If you are passive-aggressive or just passive in general, this could be a hard thing to establish, but I promise establishing boundaries is necessary and helpful!
If someone has pushed your buttons, it is necessary to let them know what is and isn’t okay. It is okay to tell someone that you’re creating a boundary for the sake of your relationship.
For example, I work from home. My husband looked at that convenience as an opportunity to talk to me whenever. It drove me nuts, so I found a way to create a boundary that would help him know when I was focused and not to be disturbed. It has helped both of us in more than one way, but the most important thing is that when I am/need to be in focus mode, I’m not interrupted.
For you, it may mean only setting aside time once a week to talk to someone or avoiding any negative talk that comes your way.
Whatever boundaries you feel you need, establish them and explain why you are establishing them. It may create tension for a short period of time, but if they love and respect you, they will abide by that boundary.
22 // Take pride in who you are
When I was working to become a full-time entrepreneur, I was terrified to tell people. I was scared they would judge me for going for something uncommon and abnormal.
However, when I stood tall and achieved my goal of quitting my day job, I found a sense of pride and suddenly wanted everyone to know.
It wasn’t to boast but rather to tell people that I’m passionate about my business and let them know I’m available.
That pride has helped me push through barriers that used to seem impossible to overcome. The same can happen to you, so I encourage you to not hide who you are.
You are made in God’s image, and He wants you to do great things with the gifts He’s given you.
23 // Look at failure as a step closer to your dream life
No one has a success story that doesn’t include failures or obstacles. It just doesn’t happen.
I say this to encourage you to look at failures as you get a step closer to your dream life. The only thing they mean is that one way didn’t work, so try another.
24 // Become financially wise
There are several things you can do to become financially wise that will help you get your life together, so let’s take a look at that.
Create a budget
There is nothing more helpful than having a budget because it allows you to tell your money where it is going, and often times you can find savings you didn’t think were possible.
Save money
It doesn’t matter how much or how little you make, and you can save money! You just have to look at what you’re spending your money on and ask yourself how you can cut down on some of those expenses.
Here are a few ideas:
- Stop wasting groceries and throwing away food
- Quit “retail therapy”
- Establish a weekly savings allowance and stick with it
- Be smart about your utilities [see what I mean here]
Do a No Spend Challenge!
This is a lot more fun than it sounds. When you challenge yourself to no spending for 30 days – outside of necessities – your idea of spending transforms, and you get to redefine your spending habits.
To learn more about doing a No Spend Challenge, check out this blog post!
Ask for expert advice
Whether you go to a certified financial planner or certified public accountant, it is important to reach out to an expert for additional savings tips. They know all the different options you have available to you and can help you achieve your financial goals!
25 // Pick up an old hobby or start a new one
When you make leisure time enjoyable versus just being lazy, you find a new sense of purpose and fulfillment that carries over into your areas that are meant for more productivity.
In 2018, I decided to learn how to use a DSLR camera, which led me to nature and macro photography that is just for the fun of it. It also led me to discover the branding style that I use currently for The Tannehill Homestead.
I wasn’t intentional about bringing my hobby to life in other areas of my life, but I’m so glad it happened that way.
26 // Have a self-reflection routine
I personally recommend once a week, but frequency is dependent upon you.
What is a self-reflection routine?
It is a time you set aside to ask yourself how your week went. You can focus on all areas of your life or just one or two.
I personally focus on career, personal health, and relationships. These are the most involved categories in my life currently, so I want to make sure that I am maintaining a healthy focus on each of them.
27 // Be a person of your word
Integrity is one of the most valuable assets you can have, not only for those who are counting on you but also for yourself.
Doing what you say you’re going to do can help you get your life together in a heartbeat compared to running a mile.
Yes, it is that powerful and necessary! You will be amazed at all you can accomplish by doing this one step.
28 // Take responsibility for your life
This is a soapbox item for me, but I’ll do my best to refrain from getting carried away.
YOUR LIFE IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE DECISIONS YOU AND ONLY YOU MAKE! No one else in your life is responsible for your decisions.
It irritates me when people do something and then blame other people for their mishap. You have free agency, which is a blessing because you get to choose what kind of life you have!
It doesn’t matter if you were born a princess or homeless. You can change your life!
Erin Tannehill, The Tannehill Homestead
I’m not saying that it will be easy because life isn’t easy. What I’m saying is that if you choose to have an amazing, put-together life and have dreams that you’re determined to make a reality, you can do it!
So stop blaming external circumstances or other people for your life and own the choices you’ve made thus far. If you don’t like the choices you’ve made thus far, make different choices moving forward.
Yes, it is that simple – not easy, maybe, but simple.
29 // Focus on what you can control and release the rest
At the time of writing this, COVID-19 has kept most of the world in quarantine for too many days to count. Most of us learned how to distinguish what we can and cannot control, but I want to reiterate this lesson because it is important.
When you focus on just what you can control and release the rest, you release the unnecessary pressures that come with that. Removing that burden can pull people out of depression, reduce anxiety and fatigue, and overall, people feel better.
If you try to control everything in your life, you’ll lose your mind. I know this because I’m a recovering control freak [my own term for myself], and I have lost my mind a few times.
The freedom of letting go is only something you can understand when you experience it, so friend, get to experience the freedom already!
30 // Stop trying to control other people
First of all, controlling other people doesn’t work. People have free agency and do as they please.
Advice and suggestions are all said and taken with a grain of salt, and it is up to that person how they chooses to act. They are taking responsibility for their actions, which means you’re spinning your wheels trying to control them.
I know this from personal experience. I was someone who was controlled and controlling, but that is a story for another day.
If you really want to learn how to get your life together, you need to learn how to control all things internally versus externally. That is the point I’m trying to get across to you because it is truly the only way.
31 // Experience new things
Sometimes life gets stagnant, and you need to shake things up a bit. You can do this by intentionally experiencing new things!
First, it is a lot of fun to get outside of your entertainment comfort zone, and second, you may find a passion for something you’ve yet to discover within yourself!
So what new things will you experience?
32 // Get outside of your comfort zone
Stemming off the previous step, getting outside of your comfort zone is where dream living occurs.
When you push outside of your own boundaries, you learn a lot about yourself and new things to help you achieve your dreams, so start pushing!
33 // Love your body
I cannot tell you how important this one is. It doesn’t matter how much money you have, how great your life is, or how much you love everyone around you. If you don’t love the body God gave you, a big part of your life will feel invalid.
Your body is the only vessel you have, and it is important to love and nurture it. Don’t take your body for granted. Love your body.
34 // Live in the present
It is easy to daydream about the future and get so focused on it that you forget the present moments that are beautiful moments to remember.
You can’t change the past, and You cannot force the future, so soak in the present moment that you currently have.
You’ll be amazed at the beauty you see all around you when you slow down and see what your life looks like by just simply looking around and noticing all you have.
Put the phone and computer away, turn off the TV, put down the book, and just look at your life.
I took a six-month break from Instagram and deleted all the apps possible that kept me unnecessarily connected so that I could see what life was like without the conveniences.
It turns out that I did miss my Instagram community, but the break taught me so much about taking time to live in the present moments and be grateful for all that I have.
Related Posts:
- Smartphone Detox – It is time to simplify your life
- Why I’m Quitting Instagram for 2020
- 8 Reasons You Need a Social Media Detox and How to Unplug Successfully
- My Minimalist Approach to Social Media; How to Use Social Media Purposefully
35 // Learn to say “no,” more
When you say “yes,” to others, you are saying “no,” to something that is important to you. I’m not saying this is a bad thing, but when you aren’t conscious about your commitments, things can get out of hand quickly.
Instead, look at your priorities and only say “yes,” to things that fit within those priorities. You’ll be amazed at how far a little intention can get you!
36 // Cut out a bad habit
Making light of bad habits is one way to get your life off track.
A classic example of a bad habit is smoking. It is bad for you, but you crave it so much! You know all the harmful side effects and how expensive it is, but you haven’t committed to quitting.
The two obvious reasons you shouldn’t smoke are your health and expenses. If you cut out just this one bad habit, your health would improve, and you’d save a lot of money!
Imagine how feeling better and having extra money to go and experience new things could improve your life!
In Arkansas, you’ll pay about $7 for a pack of cigarettes. If you smoke one pack a week, that is $364.
It doesn’t seem like much until you think of all the things you could use that money for, like a weekend anniversary trip, going to a few concerts, purchasing plane tickets to a place you’ve only dreamed of going to, and more!
This is just one bad habit. Imagine if you were to cut out more bad habits and how much your life could change!
37 // Accept progress, not perfection
I love the thought of a doctor earning his degree. Whether your doctor graduated with a 4.0 GPA or 2.5 GPA, you still call him a doctor. Of course, you hope that regardless of his GPA, he knows what he is doing.
But this same analogy can be used in all areas of your life. You can use it to clean your home, keep up certain routines, write, etc.
Perfection only delays the possibilities that life has to offer, and when you chase perfection, you rob yourself of those possibilities.
I’m not saying that you should cut your efforts down to nothing. What I’m saying is that be okay with the small imperfections.
38 // Spend more time with people you care about
This is honestly good for the soul and necessary to thrive in life. Humans are dependent upon other humans for many things, and that includes mental health.
We thrive on connection, so make it a point to spend time with those you care about.
39 // Stop multitasking and focus on one thing at a time
Multitasking is only a distraction from getting real work done, so when you’re talking with someone, focus on the conversation with them.
The same goes for when you’re working. I realize you cannot control every aspect of your work, but when you can, focus on just one thing. You’ll be far more productive because your focus is more stable and lasts longer.
40 // Do the things you say you’re going to do
Hey, haven’t you discussed this already?
Sort of, but I am speaking from a different space and have a different message.
Have you said you’re going to do something, and you’ve said it for months or even years? If so, it is time to do those things!
If you’re waiting for a sign, well, HERE’S YOUR SIGN!
Life is too short to talk about what you’re going to do, so start doing all of them!
I’ve said for the longest time that I want to raise my own meat chickens, and it looks like it is finally going to happen this fall!
I’ve also said that I am going to have a big garden that is going to feed us for months, and all the seedlings are popping up, ready to grow and produce for us!
Doing feels so much better than talking!
41 // Leave treating yourself to big occasions and accomplishments
One of the biggest problems I have with society is the reward system.
With everyone getting participation awards or pats on the back for just getting through the day, how can you distinguish true rewards from these silly rewards?
The answer is YOU CAN’T!
If you want to get your life together, don’t treat yourself to making it through the day or participating in something.
Rather, save all the treats for when you actually accomplish something, like landing a promotion or signing a new client. These things mean something, and you discredit them when you treat/reward yourself for things you should be doing regardless.
Let me distinguish something. I’m not making light of intense days that you give your all to conquering. I’m noting the average working day.
Take action
As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, I have a checklist for you so that you can not only learn how to get your life together but also take action towards making it happen!
You can get the checklist now!
Final thoughts
Life is never going to be together all of the time because that is life. However, being proactive in making your dreams come true does far more than sitting back and waiting for them to come to you.
If you’re tired of chasing life and are ready to grab hold of it, use these steps to help you get there.
Remember, you don’t have to do all of these steps all at once. Start by picking the ones that you know you can do, and over time pick a few more.
Do this until you’ve gone through the entire list, and my friend, you’ll officially be able to say that you learned how to get your life together!
If you enjoyed this post, I would love for you to share it with your friends and family on Pinterest! You’ll make my day because you’re helping this community thrive when you share content you find helpful and enjoy!
This was one of the best list I think I’ve ever read from Pinterest. Usually, it’s a bunch of the same stuff.
The advice here was so practical. Yet, so powerful and meaningful. I’m going to incorporate some of this into my own life. Thank you.
I’m so glad you found this helpful, Terre, and thank you for your kind words! 🙂