Scheduling: Turning Your Hectic Life into Something Manageable

With how hectic life is, you have to figure out how to keep at least a little sanity together. We are rushing so much anymore we cannot remember whether that doctor's appointment was the thirteenth or the thirty-first. Was it even a doctor's appointment or a dentist appointment? We are never completely sure anymore, are we? Therefore, in this crazy world we need to keep our thoughts straight, or as straight as we can get them.

Start with a calendar to keep things together. Write down events, appointments, or just reminders for just the small things. It does not matter what, just as long as it is written down. It is helpful if you get a large desk calendar so you have space for multiple events on a day. Try to find a spot for that calendar that is visible so you see it everyday for a reminder.

With calendars, I try to plan ahead too. If I plan there is less confusion about figuring out if a trip will or will not work. Or if you can go on that date that evening because the babysitter or neighbor is free. Plans will work if you keep up with them, but there are times when they just do not work. Nothing can really be done about that though so you just have to work around it.

An idea for quick reminders for the next day or that week is post-it notes. Post-it notes can become your best friend because they can be stuck anywhere in view. Just write it down and stick it somewhere where you will find it. Try not to get post-it note happy though. There are many designs and they may be cute but post-it noting your entire fridge door for example may prove problematic.

Since we are in the age of technology, you can set your computer, PDA, or maybe even your cell phone to remind you of chores or events for that day. Many computers automatically come with calendars and reminders if you know how to use it. To accurately use it, sit down and read your computer manual or fool around with it until you get the hang of it. A computer program that you do not know how to correctly use will not help you if it doesn't remind of you what is happening. If you aren't great with computers, find someone to help you set it up.

Within a wild world, get creative to help you remember chores, events, and other things. Do not just use calendars, post-it notes, or the ever-changing technology. Try to come up with something like a dates board or magnets to the fridge to help you know what needs done. Create a stringboard so you can slide notes behind the strings to keep them in view. Why not an easy erase board to hang above your computer? I know many college dorm room doors have them and they do come in handy. Don't forget to clean it daily, or rather often as many of them will collect the marker residue and make the board dirty, therefore making what you write hard to read. It won't do you any good if you can't read what you wrote!