SPRING CLEANING LIKE A PROJECT MANAGER: HOW TO DECLUTTER, PRIORITIZE & SET GOALS

image: Camille Styles

Spring is the perfect season for a fresh start—not just for your home but your life. As a project manager, I have learned that applying professional strategies to personal organization can make a huge difference. Just like I streamline workflows and keep tasks on track at work, I use the same strategic mindset to declutter, prioritize, and set goals. Here is how I tackle my spring cleaning with the precision of a project manager.

Step 1: Declutter with an Audit

Before improving a project, I always conduct a status assessment. The same principle applies to personal organization.

• Physical Spaces: I walk through my home and workspace, identifying clutter zones. Using the “Keep, Donate, Discard” method, I quickly make decisions on what stays and what goes. Recently, I tackled my home office and found old notebooks, outdated receipts, and stacks of unread magazines. I kept only what I used, donated books to a local library, and recycled the rest. Instantly, my workspace felt lighter and more productive.

• Digital Spaces: I declutter my digital world by organizing files, cleaning up emails, and removing unused apps. Unsubscribing from irrelevant newsletters and updating my cloud storage help streamline my workflow. Last week, I cleared out hundreds of unread emails, set up filters for priority messages, and created structured folders for work and personal projects. It was a game-changer!

Step 2: Prioritize with a Task Breakdown

Prioritization is key in project management, and I apply the Eisenhower Matrix to my to-dos:

1. Urgent & Important: Tasks I tackle immediately, like renewing an expired driver’s license or paying a bill that is due tomorrow.

2. Important but Not Urgent: Scheduled for later, such as planning a family vacation or working on a personal passion project.

3. Urgent but Not Important: Delegated if possible. Grocery shopping? I order online. House cleaning? I assign chores to family members.

4. Neither Urgent nor Important: Eliminated. Scrolling social media aimlessly? Gone. Keeping subscriptions I don’t use? Canceled.

Using this framework helps me avoid stress and focus on what truly matters, both in work and in life.

Step 3: Set SMART Goals

I always set clear, actionable objectives using the SMART method:

• Specific: Clearly define what I want to achieve.

• Measurable: Track my progress.

• Achievable: Set realistic targets.

• Relevant: Align with my long-term vision.

• Time-bound: Set deadlines to stay accountable.

Instead of saying, “I want to be more productive,” I set a goal like, “I will complete my morning routine without checking my phone for 30 days.” Or instead of “get fit,” I say, “exercise for 30 minutes, 3 times a week for the next two months.” These structured goals keep me motivated and help me measure success.

Step 4: Plan and Execute with Agile Methods

The Agile approach helps break big projects into small, manageable tasks. Here is how I apply it:

• Daily Stand-ups: I spend five minutes each morning reviewing my top three priorities. On a Monday morning, my top three might be finalizing a work presentation, meal prepping for the week, and scheduling a doctor’s appointment.

• Sprint Planning: I tackle big goals in 1-2 week sprints with progress check-ins. When I wanted to revamp my wardrobe, I didn’t try to do it all in one day. Instead, I set up a two-week sprint: Week 1 for sorting out old clothes, Week 2 for shopping for new essentials.

• Kanban Boards: Tools like Trello and Notion help me visualize my tasks and track progress. I use a simple “To Do, In Progress, Done” setup for managing both work projects and personal goals. Seeing tasks move into the “Done” column is so satisfying!

Step 5: Review and Adjust

As a project manager, I continuously assess performance and refine strategies. Every week, I reflect:

• What worked well? Maybe my digital detox plan helped me stay more focused during work hours.

• What challenges did I face? Perhaps I overcommitted to too many tasks and need to scale back.

• What needs adjustment? If my current morning routine isn’t effective, I tweak it until it fits my schedule and energy levels better.

This iterative process ensures long-term success, keeping me on track throughout the season.

Spring cleaning isn’t just about tidying up—it’s an opportunity to reset and optimize life. By thinking like a project manager, I not only stay organized but also create systems that help me maintain clarity and focus.

So, what’s your first step? Let’s make this spring the season of efficiency and growth!