As we’ve talked about this month, January is GO! Month, the month designated as Get Organized month by NAPO. Last week we started talking about how to get on the path for a more organized 2015 and dealt with sorting out the clutter & letting go of the physical items you don’t need.

Frequently organizing is focused on as an end result-after all a orderly home makes your space easier to navigate & live in. But really organizing is a mindset. Once you organize the outside, you free yourself to organize your inner life and make room for what’s important: time for your self, your family and your friends. Organization is more than just ridding yourself of things you don’t need, it truly is a quality of life issue.

So now that we’ve gotten rid of old & unused things from our closets and storage, we can focus on that inner life. Here are four more steps to help continue the process of a well-live 2015:

4. This is the Year for Simpler, Saner Lives.

We not only ricochet through the house – it often seems we ricochet through life just as madly…We unwittingly veer into the fast lane of family life and can get stuck there –  if we don’t take the driver’s seat instead of going along for the ride. This is fixable.

Here’s how to start:

Allow everyone in the family a maximum of three sports, activities or hobbies, not to exceed three commitments each (practices, meetings, etc.) per week. If you have more than two kids, the limit might be two hobbies.

Now look at your own hobbies and interests. A little tougher. Parents not only have hobbies they love to do, but also commitments they should do (PTA, etc.)

Save at least two time slots per week for something you love to do. Limit volunteering to two more slots. 2015 is the year to learn to say ‘No’ — and mean it. It’s a crucial part of your organized new year’s success.

5. Save Money.

If you faithfully adhere to resolutions 1 and 4, this resolution will wonderfully take care of itself.

Pare down the essentials list and you’re halfway home. For the other half, list all the bills that have a fixed amount paid monthly, such as the mortgage or rent, health insurance, car payment, tuition, etc.

Finally, list luxury expenses: lessons, clothes, Starbucks, movies, dining, etc. Set a budget for each.

Include the kids in the process for this one. Tell them how much is budgeted for family entertainment and let each kid vote on how at least part of the money should be spent. Call this your resolution for an organized new year for the entire family.

6. Take Care of Yourself.

The above resolutions are about helping take care of yourself, of course. After all, if your home is clean, efficient and organized, your time and money are well-managed, you are taking care of yourself.

And remember those time slots? Don’t cut corners here. Your slot could be as extravagant as an occasional day at the spa or as simple as taking a long soak in the bathtub. You choose – but do it!

7. Be the Best You Can Be.

If you have accomplished resolutions 1 through 6, this one too takes care of itself. If you find time to be good to yourself, you will find the time, energy and patience to be good to your loved ones. One just flows from the other.

But you can’t go directly to Resolution No. 7, unfortunately. These resolutions are like building blocks. If the bottom layer is unstable, you can’t build on top of it.

So take a deep breath and resolve to start anew with No. 1. Don’t expect to finish the resolutions in a day, week or even a month. This is a continuous process that will provide ample rewards in the year ahead.