Since The Reset List went live, I’ve had a few conversations about how much lighter things feel once you finally clear the mental clutter.
But here’s what I’ve noticed, that sense of lightness doesn’t always last. Not because you’ve stopped being organised, but because life doesn’t pause to let us catch up.
This month’s Organised Chaos tool is about tackling one of the biggest hidden stressors I see in coaching and VA work: the mental load of remembering what you’re waiting for.
That “Did I ever chase that?” panic. The half-remembered email follow-up. The spreadsheet someone promised to send “later this week” (three weeks ago).
The human brain hates unfinished business, psychologists call this the Zeigarnik effect, it’s why those open loops pop into your head at 2am or halfway through the school run.
So rather than trying to remember it all, this month’s tool gives you a quick fix: The Waiting For Tracker, a tiny win that clears space and brings a little more light at the end of the tunnel.
Because progress doesn’t come from big overhauls. It comes from small, steady systems that make life a little easier to carry.
This months tool:
I have created a free download this month, a simple tracker (with some formulas thrown in) designed to stop that “Did I ever follow up on that?” spiral.
Start by adding anything that’s with someone else: a document, a reply, an action. Include where it came from (email, Teams, WhatsApp, etc.) and when it’s due.
Check it once a day and let your brain rest, knowing it’s all there.
Then let the tracker do the work:
🔴 Red highlights what’s overdue.
🟠 Amber shows what’s due soon.
🟢 Green celebrates what’s complete.
You can add a completion date or simply mark it “Complete”, either way, your brain gets to relax, knowing it’s off your plate (and serving as a small visual reminder that you’re already on top of more than you think).
Tiny wins > big overhauls. Download the tracker here
Behind the scenes
Last week I swapped my home desk for a boardroom in London, supporting one of my clients on-site with their Board and Committee meetings.
A big part of this work is capturing minutes, tracking actions, and making sure everything connects once the meeting ends. so plans don’t just stay on paper.
Although most of my work happens virtually, I really value the chance to meet clients in person. There’s something energising about London, the buzz, the pace, the sense of connection. It’s a refreshing change of scene and always a good reminder of the human side of what I do.
By the time I reached the airport, glass of wine in hand, I’d updated my Waiting For Tracker – every action, note, and follow-up neatly captured. It’s that small, satisfying moment of clarity that lets me properly switch off, confident nothing’s been missed.
What I’ve been reading/ listening to
The Science Behind Small Wins
If you like a bit of science with your calm, this one’s worth a listen:
🎧 The Happiness Lab – The Power of Small Steps
Host Dr. Laurie Santos unpacks why our brains are wired to respond to progress, even the tiniest kind, and how that steady sense of movement boosts focus, motivation, and follow-through.
For busy professionals juggling competing priorities, it’s a reminder that small steps aren’t a compromise – they’re strategy. When everything feels full, the smartest move is often the simplest one that gets you started again.
Or, if you prefer to read with a cuppa:
📘 Atomic Habits by James Clear – a practical reminder that small, consistent tweaks often change everything. It’s full of bite-sized insights that translate beautifully to real workdays: how to make good habits easier, bad ones harder, and progress a little more visible.
If The Reset List gave you space to think, then The Waiting For Tracker is what helps you keep that space clear. It’s a small shift, but once it becomes part of your rhythm, you’ll start to feel the difference.
For me, it’s that moment after a full few days when everything’s captured and I can close my laptop knowing it’s all there.
For you, it might be ticking off one lingering task that’s been sitting on your mind for weeks.
That’s the power of these tiny wins, they don’t need a big reset, just small steps that make the day feel lighter and more manageable.
So this month, notice the quiet systems that make things easier: the list that keeps you calm, the notes that help you switch off properly, the small actions that add up to breathing space.
That’s what Organised Chaos is all about, calm, built one small win at a time.
If you haven’t downloaded the Waiting For Tracker yet, you can grab it here. And if you’d like some guidance on how to make these tools fit around your own workload (or your team’s), I’d love to help, just get in touch.
Lauren x
