Lists

The value of lists

1. Writing down activities makes them more definite.
2. Lists enable you to consider items properly, and give the appropriate priorities.
3. Writing down activities and tasks prevents you from forgetting them, and allows you to not have to remember everything, so you can concentrate on other more important things.
4. It gives you a feeling of satisfaction to cross things off as they are completed.

The Master List

To organize your, and your family's, activities and to keep track of everyone's schedule, put up a large, poster-size, master calendar that displays a full year. Enter all your important dates (birthdays, anniversaries, holidays) at the beginning, and throughout the year as you encounter others, such as appointments. Do this for everyone in your household, as well as those important to you (sister's birthday, etc.).

Buy a notebook, diary, or day planner, small enough to keep it with you at all times. This can be a simple, small, pocket-sized notebook. This becomes your master list, a single continuous list that replaces any scraps of paper, post-it notes, etc. (they always seem to get lost, don't they?). In the notebook, keep track of errands, appointments, things to do or buy, and items that will require action. You transfer dates from the posted calendar as the approach, once a week usually works well. Don't forget to go the other way as well, when you make an appointment and put it in your notebook, remember to put it on the calendar too (you can put in a note to put it on the calendar, then cross that off when it's done).

Shop around in a stationery store, or office supply store, for the notebook that best suits you. I'm using a small, 2x3 loose-ringed notebook, and tear out pages when all the items are completed. You'll probably be pleasantly suprised at the variety of notebooks, day planners, and diaries available today.

Include in your notebook important telephone numbers, addresses, and details (I keep two notebooks, one for tasks, and one for contact information). Whenever you add a task, be sure to write in the details necessary to complete the task, like phone number, address, account number, etc. For example, Call the credit card company, 800-555-1234 x555 re $25 overcharge on 1/1/05 bill, acct # 111-222-333.

Don't complicate your task notebook by listing things that are a part of your normal routine, like picking the kids up from school, you know you do that. Save the task notebook for those things you need a reminder for - and don't assume you'll remember that you have a doctor's appointment on the 23rd at 1:00, write it down.

Make a list of lists section for ideas, like books to read, movies to watch, places to go, recommended restaurants, etc.

Plan several days in ahead, maybe every Saturday morning, or Monday morning, or Thursday evening, whatever works for you. It gives you a perspective on the week ahead, enables you to spread out the important things, and prevents a frantic rush at the end of the week.

Plan for some down time too, time when you can have fun, or rest. Treat it like an important appointment, it is. If you don't set aside a specific time for relaxation, your work and other commitments will soon take over your life, which is probably why you're reading this right now!

Keep your list with you at all times, otherways it's useless.

Set a goal to do one important task a day that you don't want to do. This will improve your sense of completion and satisfaction, and get those nasty projects done.

When you have a large, complex situation, like buying a car, or moving, or enrolling a child in college, use a different notebook or area in your day planner. You don't need to carry this around with you all the time, only when you are working on this project.

Don't just throw out the pages you've completed, it's ok to remove them after a couple of weeks, but put them in some kind of filing system - a 3x5 index card box works for my small notebooks. You might need to call the plumber again for another busted pipe, and you want to call the same one, or make sure you don't call the same one!

More organization tips

• Lists Setting up a calendar and lists to assist in the organization process.
• Message Center Setting up a central place for messages and important information.
• Are you organized? A quick quiz to find out how organized you are, and how much you can do to make yourself more organized.
• Make your own organizer Making your own organizer to track tasks and dates.
• Telephone tips Ways to save time and frustration with the telephone.
• Errands and appointments Making the most out of errands and appointments.
• Using short periods wisely What to do when you only have a few minutes.
• Mail How to handle mail efficiently.
• Housework Make housework more productive and effective.
• Company Preparing for, and entertaining, company.
• Company Kit Setting up a kit for when company arrives on short notice.
• Each evening Preparing for the following day.
• Simple tidying Life can be easier if you set up areas for situations, tyding up the whole house.
• Laundry Ways to save time and money with the laundry.
• Distributing the Burden You don't have to do it all yourself, you can share the load.
• Delegation How to delegate effectively.
• Child's room Keeping your kid's rooms tidy.
• Storage Where to put things.
• Pack rat How to avoid being a pack rat.
• Messy Closet Cleaning out a messy closet.
• Garage Sale How to have a successful garage sale.
• Moving Sorting through your stuff for a move.
• Prevention Some ideas to prevent cleaning chores.
• Odds and ends How to deal with odds and ends that just kind of show up to clutter a room.
• Organizing Your Home Basics of organization.

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