The Organizing Pro
Home            Articles           Downloads           Media            Photos            Speaking            Store            Contact          
   

Articles on Your Calendar & Your Time
Your Calendar & Your Time

CHOOSING A PLANNER
THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU

by Marcia Ramsland, author of
Simplify Your Time:
Stop Running and Start Living!

Back to Articles

Which Planner Works for YOU?

You should keep your monthly calendar and daily to-do lists in a planner or electronic organizer. It can be actually fun to shop for a planner and find one that suits you and your personality. Remember to:

  1. Choose a planner that is right for you. The three basic sizes include:

·        The portable size (3 x 6 inches)

·        The half-sheet size (5 x 8 inches)

·        The large folio (8 x 11 inches)

Make sure you like the style. Does it feel comfortable to use? Keep in mind that a leather cover looks professional, and a canvas cover is casual. Choose a style and color that best suits you.

If you decide to use an electronic version of a planner—the handheld PDA—purchase the right one that matches your computer abilities with the hardware you have at home.

   2. Include three sections to simplify your time and life.

       a) Monthly calendar. Separated by tabs, each month should lay across one or two pages. These monthly calendars provide the “big picture” of your life for the whole year.

       b) Daily pages. The daily page gives you the space to list appointments chronologically, write down tasks, and make notes to capture all your plans for the day in an orderly fashion.

       c) Address and phone section. This is a key for saving enormous amounts of time because all your addresses, home phone numbers, cell phone numbers, and even store hours and directions are in one place.

       d) Attach a pen and a pencil. Use a pencil to write down appointments and meetings on your monthly calendar, and a pen to write everything else.

Keep your Personal Planner propped open on your counter at home or on your desk at work, and list all the action items mulling around in your mind. Read it often. Check off completed items, and feel free to rearrange your time on paper to get the most out of your day.


Your calendar -- a single calendar -- should reflect a balanced and satisfying life for you. You can start that journey by consolidating your activities into one calendar.

You may find Planners at office supply stores like Office Depot, Staples, Office Max.

Or you may find them on-line at: 
www.TayloronTime.com · www.Daytimer.com
www.DayRunner.com · www.FranklinCovey.com

Marcia Ramsland is well known as "The Organizing Pro" for her practical skills and tips to manage busy lives. She is a speaker, author, and media guest expert appearing on TV, radio, and in national magazines for her popular books Simplify Your Life, Simplify Your Time, and Simplify Your Holidays (Thomas Nelson). Visit her website, www.organizingpro.com for free tips.

FEATURE ARTICLES:
Marcia Ramsland, speaker and author, writes magazine articles for consumer and trade organizations. Request a special article by e-mailing or calling her through the contact information below.


Back to Articles





Signup for Ezine
and 10 Free Organizing Tips
More Info




 

 
Time-Saving Tips
Need a Speaker for Your Next Event?
Think about having "The Organizing Pro" speak for your next big event.
    
See Marcia's Bio Sheet of speaking topics for your group.


 
Time-Saving Tips
Everyone Needs a Planner
"If you want to know what day it is, any calendar will do. But if you want to gain control of your time, schedule priority tasks, and gain a reputation for getting things done, use a planner!”
—Harold Taylor, Author of Making Time Work For You


Simplify Your Time
Get it today!
Simplify Your Time
 


"I have realized that the stress I have been feeling at work was because I hadn't fully implemented this system (Calendar file, To Do file, etc..) and I was getting majorly bogged down with paper. .. I'm feeling so much more successful and "together" because of your book. I remember you showing me how to do this and talking to you about it in person, but reading it and having it in my hands to hash over and highlight helpful parts has solidified it for me! I love having the reference at my fingertips."        

~ Holly Sandefur, Teacher
San Diego, California



 
"Thank you so much for writing such an inspiring book!!!! My husband and I have been married for two years and unfortunately our parents did not teach us simple systems to run our lives. Thank you for inspiring me to de-clutter and organize! My husband got a bad cut yesterday, went into the bathroom cabinet and was pleasantly surprised to be able to find hydrogen peroxide, band-aids, and Neosporin- organized and ready for use! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" ~ Melissa Gamble· Tulsa, Oklahoma



 
 
Home      Articles     Downloads     Media     Photos     Speaking     Store     Contact

Questions or comments for The Organizing Pro? Email her! Simplify@OrganizingPro.com  •  Site by Fuerte Design