My life is busy - well, I consider it to be that way. I work full time (regular business hours), take a university course per semester (working towards my degree), help run a household/take care of pets, keep up with family/friends/hobbies, book club, and now I've started this blog. And, that's just the scheduled things, not the pop-up events that appear throughout the year. Keeping up with all of the demands can be daunting, but it can be done with a little organization.
This post will note include my work schedule and meetings due to the confidential nature of my work duties. Only my "after regular business hours" life.
My tools of the trade are as follows:
- Planner (this years planner is a Bando planner)
- a fun notebook (Chapters)
- the calendar app in my cell phone
- an assortment of colorful pens (Chapters or Michaels Crafts?).
Planner
This is my first time both purchasing a planner, and using a planner, since high school. And, while I've slacked off using it from time-to-time, it has proven to be quite helpful this year. Here I fill in upcoming important events - weddings, socials, course deadlines, blog post topics (week-to-week). And I plan out my weekend tasks (checklist style).
Most of these could be entered into my calendar phone app., but I share my calendar with my husband and all of this can be overwhelming and not relevant to our events.
My blog idea list is also in this planner for easy access - although, I tend to keep this type of content in my notebook.
There are many different styles of planners and sizes available. Chapters has an AMAZING selection of planners. The planner that I went with this year is rather large and heavy for what I need, but I love the layout...and it was on sale (40% off I think). I will most likely be down sizing for 2019.
Notebook
Here is keep my lists. I'm trying to complete book series, so here I keep my Goosebumps series list, along with my notes for the book club videos. The list of Stephen King books that I have and want to add to my collection, and the list of James Patterson books that I've read/need to read. And, if I have a super busy chore weekend ahead of me, this is where I write it all down.
These lists seem funny to make, but I like lists. They make me happy. When I'm out shopping I know which novels that I'm looking for to add to my collection. For instance, James Patterson has 17 novels in the Women's Murder Club - and I've ready all of them. He also has the NYPD Red series, Alex Cross series, and a few others as well. I'm also only missing 11 Goosebumps books from the original series (60), but I can never be sure which they are when I'm out searching.
I'm not sure which I enjoy more, making the list using multi-colored pens, or checking off the list and feeling accomplished. Maybe a bit of both :)
Calendar
Here is where the magic happens. Anything planned that requires me to be in a certain place at a certain time is entered into this calendar. Why? Because I can set up reminders and it dings at me when I need to be somewhere. I need the ding reminder - plain and simple lol. Oh, and here's a tip: when keying in events, put in the reminder bell to go off with enough time for you to get to the destination. Example, meeting friends for coffee, with the coffee hub 30 min away. The bell would be set to go off 30-35 minutes before the meeting time. If your going to a birthday party and do not have the gift wrapped/need time to change outfits. Add the travel time, and the extra task time to the timing for the reminder. Those who know me in real life (offline) know that I tend to be a little late for things. Sorry folks - I try to be on time - does that count?
Colorful Pens
No reason other than they are pretty :)
This won't work for everyone. And, I love buying notebooks, journals, stationary, etc - so taking the time and using all of these mediums for organization makes my day. And, when I use them I can justify buying more (tee-hee). I do highly recommend though, if you are interested in organizing your life, to explore the options available until you find what works for you.
Later Days,
Jen
This post will note include my work schedule and meetings due to the confidential nature of my work duties. Only my "after regular business hours" life.
My tools of the trade are as follows:
- Planner (this years planner is a Bando planner)
- a fun notebook (Chapters)
- the calendar app in my cell phone
- an assortment of colorful pens (Chapters or Michaels Crafts?).
Planner
This is my first time both purchasing a planner, and using a planner, since high school. And, while I've slacked off using it from time-to-time, it has proven to be quite helpful this year. Here I fill in upcoming important events - weddings, socials, course deadlines, blog post topics (week-to-week). And I plan out my weekend tasks (checklist style).
Most of these could be entered into my calendar phone app., but I share my calendar with my husband and all of this can be overwhelming and not relevant to our events.
My blog idea list is also in this planner for easy access - although, I tend to keep this type of content in my notebook.
There are many different styles of planners and sizes available. Chapters has an AMAZING selection of planners. The planner that I went with this year is rather large and heavy for what I need, but I love the layout...and it was on sale (40% off I think). I will most likely be down sizing for 2019.
Mine is mint green (from Bando website linked above)
Notebook
Here is keep my lists. I'm trying to complete book series, so here I keep my Goosebumps series list, along with my notes for the book club videos. The list of Stephen King books that I have and want to add to my collection, and the list of James Patterson books that I've read/need to read. And, if I have a super busy chore weekend ahead of me, this is where I write it all down.
These lists seem funny to make, but I like lists. They make me happy. When I'm out shopping I know which novels that I'm looking for to add to my collection. For instance, James Patterson has 17 novels in the Women's Murder Club - and I've ready all of them. He also has the NYPD Red series, Alex Cross series, and a few others as well. I'm also only missing 11 Goosebumps books from the original series (60), but I can never be sure which they are when I'm out searching.
I'm not sure which I enjoy more, making the list using multi-colored pens, or checking off the list and feeling accomplished. Maybe a bit of both :)
Photo Credit: Ylanite Koppens
Calendar
Here is where the magic happens. Anything planned that requires me to be in a certain place at a certain time is entered into this calendar. Why? Because I can set up reminders and it dings at me when I need to be somewhere. I need the ding reminder - plain and simple lol. Oh, and here's a tip: when keying in events, put in the reminder bell to go off with enough time for you to get to the destination. Example, meeting friends for coffee, with the coffee hub 30 min away. The bell would be set to go off 30-35 minutes before the meeting time. If your going to a birthday party and do not have the gift wrapped/need time to change outfits. Add the travel time, and the extra task time to the timing for the reminder. Those who know me in real life (offline) know that I tend to be a little late for things. Sorry folks - I try to be on time - does that count?
Colorful Pens
No reason other than they are pretty :)
Photo credit: Jessica Lewis
This won't work for everyone. And, I love buying notebooks, journals, stationary, etc - so taking the time and using all of these mediums for organization makes my day. And, when I use them I can justify buying more (tee-hee). I do highly recommend though, if you are interested in organizing your life, to explore the options available until you find what works for you.
Later Days,
Jen
Very great, thank you so much because of sharing such information
ReplyDeleteThese are all great tips, and we're actually very similar when it comes to organizing our days! I have the same Bando planner and love it. The notes page each month is where I write done all my blog post ideas and it's been such a big help. Also thank you for the book list idea! I usually write down the books I want to read in my phone's notes and they end up getting lost, so writing them down on paper will be better.
ReplyDeletex Kara | http://karascloset.net/
That is the exact reason why I love the Bando planner so much! If carrying around the paper/notebook isn't reasonable for your lifestyle, maybe adding a folder on Pinterest of the novels that you want will be easier and more accessible for you.
DeleteThis is the first year I used my planner since like I was kid and I love how organized it has kept me !
ReplyDeleteAmazing, isn't it?
Delete