How To Organize Your Schedule

I feel like this is one of life’s million dollar questions – how to keep an organized schedule? If it was that simple, there were would not be thousands of books written about how to organize your time, your life, and well, everything!

Keeping an organized schedule is not easy. It goes without saying that the more schedules you have to keep track of, the harder it is. Sometimes it’s hard enough keeping track of your own, right? There are many different methods and ways to keep organized, such as calendars, planners, computers, phones, you name it.

I personally have my own way of keeping our schedule organized and it is simply what works for us. I use a planner and a workable calendar from Calendars and Chores. A few years ago, I did a review and giveaway of the calendar from this company and I can honestly say, I still use it on a daily basis! It hangs in a prominent spot in our kitchen and if it’s not on that calendar, it’s not going to happen!

In the past few years, I can think of only one event that we have forgotten about, and it was a grad party that we had hoped to attend, but forgot what time it was. That was the only thing I think of that we missed. Other than that, we have remembered and attended all that we have wanted to, thanks to this calendar!

Another thing I love about this calendar is that because it is magnetic, so you can easily move weeks up and down as needed. When one week is done, I just remove that one if I want and move the others up, making it customizable.

When it comes to organizing schedules, it really can be done and the method will differ for everyone. I have found just a few helpful hints when it comes to organizing ours:

Write everything down

One thing I like about the Calendars and Chores calendar is that it is a dry/wet erase calendar, so I use a different marker color for the different types of activities. Appointments in one color, fun events in another, and my husband’s schedule in yet another color. In fact, Calendars and Chores’ Etsy store also has markers and cute magnetic cup holders that you can also get to accent your calendar if you please.

When it comes to writing everything down, I mean EVERYTHING. The moment you get an invite in the mail, on facebook, or via email, write the event down. Even if you have an appointment card, still write it down on the calendar or in your planner. Having everything written down in ONE spot, will make planning and scheduling much easier.

Communicate Well

At the start of each week, ask each person in the house what their schedule looks like. Also, take this time to figure out what the week entails, then communicate it to the family.

Prioritize

One way to keep an organized schedule is to prioritize. Is there anything where “time is of the essence?” This is where making a list might come in handy. For me personally, I make a list each week for what I want to accomplish. I don’t necessarily write those items in on a specific day, but I just have a running list. Then when it comes to the start of each day (or the night before), I write down what I hope to accomplish in that day, which hopefully includes some of those weekly items. Make sense?

This is again helpful to do with the Calendars and Chores calendar because I can easily add something to the day. The space is big enough and again,the weeks can be moved around. So if something is 4 weeks ahead, that is up on the calendar and I don’t have to flip through the pages of my planner to look ahead. I can see it all laid out. It also comes with this add-on, which makes list-making all the more easy!

Don’t procastinate

This is one the biggest keys in keeping an organized schedule in my mind! I am probably the furthest from a procrastinator. I always think things need to be done right then and there. Some things can wait a little while, like buying plane tickets. Sometimes it pays to wait (though the opposite can happen too). Plane tickets aside, to keep an organized schedule, it requires doing this in a timely manner.

Delegate

Having a “can do” attitude isn’t all that bad, but you need to be careful to not be too busy and wear yourself out. One of the healthiest things you can do for your whole family is to delegate the duties and chores. Delegating allows the family to work together towards one goal – living as a family. It teaches children and others to have a role in the family, but also shows them that they have value and are needed. As much as they might whine and complain, in the end, they will be thankful they were taught to work hard and work towards something. Plus, delegating gives you that much needed break.

Schedule time for YOU

Rest and relaxation is one the best things you can do for YOU. It may be sad that it came to this, but you may even have to schedule in time for you. Plan a walk everyday. Schedule a coffee date with a friend. Take time away to just think and refocus. For the women out there, we may laugh at this saying, but how true it is – “happy wife, happy life.” When wife or mom is stressed it effects everyone. Make sure you take time for you.

Having an organized schedule goes a long ways! I remember as a child, my mom would sit down on the weekend and write out the weekly schedule on her dry erase MMPA (Michigan Milk Producers Association) board. I am sure it was a freebie at some point, but I remember looking at that calendar all of the time. It taught me to keep an organized schedule so that we did not miss a beat.

If you are looking to organize your schedule and need a little help doing it, I have partnered once again with Jen from Calendars and Chores to do ONE (1) GIVEAWAY of her Large Dry/Wet Erase Magnetic Calendar. The winner will have a choice of frame and calendar color as well ($86.00 value). Here are the details:

• Giveaway starts Wednesday, July 20, 2016 and ends Tuesday, July 26, 2016.
• One winner will be chosen randomly via Viral Sweep.
• Open to U.S. residents only and must by 18 years or older.
• I will email the winner and the winner has 1 week to confirm.
• Winner will be shipped 1 large dry/wet erase magnetic board, free of charge, with choice of frame and calendar color.
• Please enter below!