Organization Station
Around New Year’s, I wrote a couple of posts related to time management and my new resolutions: Letting Things Slide and New Year’s Resolutions. I thought I would share a little update on how things have been going in that department.
Without a doubt, the most helpful tool for me has been my FranklinCovey daily planner. It’s the 365 line available at Target (which doesn’t offer them online, unfortunately).
I love writing things down because then I don’t have to try to remember them! I am such a planner dork. Here is how I use mine:
- Storing my memory verses for my theology class
- Keeping my list of New Year’s resolutions
- Saving random lists like my sister’s class schedule, the number of chapels I’ve attended, movies I want to see, books I’m recommending for a friend, wedding plans (not for me
), and phone numbers
As far as my weekly planning goes – at the beginning of each week I go through the days and make sure everything’s written in. Then I make a to-do list for the entire week. That saves me from getting discouraged when I have to keep moving something to the next day. Sometimes I transfer them to an individual day’s to-do list; it just depends on whether I’m trying to get a lot done that day or not. On the back of that sheet, I write down all the homework I need to do that week.
I can’t overstate how much this has helped me. If you are going to have a planner, having a good system that works for you is really important. If it isn’t efficient for you, you probably won’t end up using it. What helped me when I first got it was taking a couple of hours to plan out the whole year – especially writing down birthdays and such, and filling in phone numbers and all of that. What helps me maintain it is just taking fifteen minutes or half an hour on Sunday afternoons to look at the upcoming week, fill in things I haven’t filled in yet, and make a to-do list.
I’ve found that even when I’m having an unorganized day or week, I still use my planner, which is great. It means that it’s functional and I don’t feel like everything else has to be perfectly organized in order for me to use it – an all-or-nothing mentality that I have in other areas of my life.
My roommate Sarah ended up getting a FranklinCovey for herself after seeing how much mine helped me. (And no, I’m not getting any sort of advertising kickback for mentioning this product!) I know there is so much talk on “mommy blogs” about using a home management binder and all these different kinds of organizing methods, and I love learning about them even though I’m not a mom yet. So here was a little college student management binder talk for you.
I like your writing style. Looking forward to reading more from you.
- Sue.
I used to have a planner… I should start using one again. Now that I work at home it’s not as obviously necessary, but there are still things I forget because they’re not written down!
That’s great to hear, Anna. I have a pink Filofax organiser that I use, but I actually now prefer to use a spreadsheet on my computer as my planner. I have different lists on it, like things I need to buy in the near future, things I need to do at some point, and then a list of things I must do that day. I then put things into an hour-by-hour daily schedule, and do my bes to stick to it! Of course, I don’t always manage to, but as you said, it really does help. It keeps me focused and organised
Well you weren’t kidding that you were going to write about your planner.
People use mock me for my organisational tendencies. I let it slide due to a variety of factors. I find I’m happier when I have things focused, under control and planned. I’ve also noticed that it’s the organised people who tend to achieve more than others.
Anna,
Thanks for sharing, and I think that it was excellent of you to point out that though you have an organizer,you’re still able to not let it become a tool of self defeat, whenever a week isn’t going according to schedule.
For those of us spending copious amounts of time in front of a PC for professional reasons etc, I would recommend Rainlendar, a desktop calendar/organizer of sorts, keeps me and the bill collectors on happy terms.. sometimes. (http://www.rainlendar.net/).
No kickbacks here either, not even an “Atta boy”.
Grace and peace be with you.
Great suggestion, Anna! I got a nice size planner (Day-Timer) this year – a really pretty one so that I couldn’t resist using it.
I don’t have a very busy schedule by any means, but it’s enormously helpful…besides the regular things such as concerts or appointments, I note when to mail birthday cards, my workout schedule, even menu plans. I also make out my list of “big rocks” for the week in there, and record special things like a phone call with a friend I rarely talk to, or a day out with my mom, etc. It’s a great tool! 
Thanks for visiting my blog.
I remember how overwhelming trying to get everything done for college could be – especially all of the verses I had to memorize for my various Bible classes. Even so, theology which was a 5 day a week class all year was my favorite class of all time.
I enjoyed reading this…I carry my planner with my everywhere, and I am a bit lost without it. I don’t let it run my life, but I would not be productive at all without having all my lists, reminders, and Bible verses packed into one nifty little book!
I love hearing about everyone else’s organizational methods!