"10 Hot Calendar Tips" for 2006
by Marcia Ramsland, "The Organizing Pro
Everyone has a calendar for 2006, but
really how skilled are we at using it? Since I'm writing a book on
Simplify Your Time: Stop Running and Start Living (W Publishing Nov.
2006), I'd like to share 10 hot and practical tips you need to know and
apply NOW.
-
Begin by penciling in all the events,
appointments, and due dates you know you have coming up. Neatly use
the top of the daily square for mornings, the middle for noon, and
the bottom for evening activities.
-
Calendar in all the birthdays,
anniversaries, and vacation days for the year. Don't miss these
important events to celebrate with family and friends.
-
Limit the number of nights out on the
weekend to one or two out of the three (Friday, Saturday, and
Sunday). This will keep you from being tired on Mondays.
-
Balance the number of weeknights
(Monday-Thursday) to no more than two, especially if you have
demanding day responsibilities.
-
Offer two alternative times when
turning down a commitment.
- Mark "Free
Choice" as an evening or weekend event at least once or twice a week
to spend it as you wish.
-
Diagonally mark
off passed date boxes while reflecting if it was time well spent.
-
Find your balance
of work and pleasure events and be sure to include both kinds of
events on your evenings and weekends.
-
Stop the
craziness by putting a big X on one commitment on a particularly
busy day.
10.
Circle times with friends and family that are highlights of your week.
The busier your life, the more
precise you need to be in your calendaring. And the more people that are
dependent on you, the more you need to coordinate with them. For family
"meetings" serve dessert or pizza on Sunday nights and talk over the two
weeks ahead with calendars and pen in hand. At work, get together at
weekly meetings and coordinate your schedules.
TODAY'S QUOTE:
Since time is not flexible, the first
step in creating smoother days is to control your calendar in a more
purposeful manner. Plan ahead from morning until night (vertically)
for each day and pace yourself for the week and month head
(horizontally). Conquer your problem areas and celebrate your
improvements.
--Marcia Ramsland, Simplify Your Life: Get Organized
and Stay that Way!
Finding more time to relax and enjoy life
begins in one place - your calendar. Make sure your calendar reflects
the lifestyle you want to live. My motto is "If you can't fit it in your
calendar for one day, you can't live it." Lighten up and make this one
of your best years. Happy New Year!
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