How to get organized without all the fuss and cost, Part 2

On the first page you will write the date and day at the top.  Now, list absolutely everything that you need to get done.  Not just what has to be done today, but what has to be done period.  For instance, if you will have to go shopping for school clothes, make a doctor’s appointment, call about electric charges, etc.  List everything one to a line down the left-hand side of the paper.  Don’t worry if the list becomes super long, it is bound to in the beginning.

Once your list is complete, go over it to be sure you haven’t missed anything, however don’t stress this part because you can always add on later. 

Things that absolutely must be done today are CLEARLY marked a ‘1’.  Things that can be done tomorrow if you don’t get to it today can be CLEARLY marked a ‘2’, and so on until you have gone through the entire list.  Now go over it again and make sure everything was number marked correctly.  The first few times you do this, your list will be super long and probably quite messy, but as you complete tasks and add new ones, you will notice that the list gets much smaller and will be neater until you only have a few items listed each day.

Now comes the hard part.  I usually rewrite the list putting all the ‘1s’ first, the ‘2s’ second and so on until I have everything listed in order. 

Now:  keep the list with you, check it often, and try to complete the ‘1’ tasks today.  Cross off each one as it is completed.  If, during the process you find you can complete one of the other items because you are there, etc., feel free to do so.

Tomorrow, when you sit to drink your coffee, you will rewrite the list adding items you know have to be done today, but that didn’t make the list yesterday and omitting the items that you completed.  Every morning you will repeat this process.  As a pattern emerges, you will find that certain things are always done on Monday, certain things on Tuesday, etc.  (this might take you a couple of weeks, don’t worry, that’s okay).

But they have to be done and I have set up an easy to follow plan to help you get over the hurdle quickly and relatively pain free. 

First, gather together all of your bills from last month, they should be filed in their appropriate folder--not the filing type, you can use a shoe box or something similar to put your bills in once they are paid so you can at least get to them.  If you have a lot of bills to pay, use a larger box.  Try to always keep your bills once they are paid because you may have to refer to them in the future if there is ever a question about something.  (HINT:  when they are filed in separate folders, they are easier to find so try to file them--if you haven’t until now, now is a good time to start.  All it takes are some file folders-manila ones are fine-and a file box or drawer to hold them.) At the end of the year, put all the paid bills together in one file and mark the year-keep for 10 years; then shred.

Now, as bills come in, mark the envelope with the date the item is due.  Pay it if you can, or put it in a designated spot until you can (I use a holder-pictured here-for mine, but you can do whatever works best for you.)  The sooner you pay the bill, the happier the companies will be.  DON’T wait until the due date arrives to pay the bill. Try with all your might to pay it as soon as the money is put aside.  There are 2 reasons for this:  because you don’t want late fees tacked on, and you don’t want to spend the money you put aside for the bills.  Once you pay a bill, write on the bill itself the date, amount paid and how (online, check (#), or cash).  Attach any copies of receipts etc to the bill before filing.  Although you can't see it here, you might want to put the date paid as well.

You have to decide what your needs are and base your choice around that need.  I personally like the medium sized planner that clips or zips closed.  You can put a lot into these things and you can see the month at a glance-you have to write small, but you can make it work.  And you can use it for personal and professional schedules together which makes it easier to keep up with things in your life.

With a planner, your To-Do list would be the first page.  Open it to the first page to see what needs to be done today.  Open the calendar to see what appointments and such you have going on so you can work your To-Do list around them.  (Some of the larger planners actually have a place on the calendars for your To-Do list.)  Cross things off as you complete them.  Rewrite the To-Do list each day adding on as needed.  (I do mine on a computer which is easier for me, however, you might want to hand write your list each day because by writing it down each day it is easier to remember what needs to be done.)  With each new appointment, meeting, event, etc. write it immediately into your planner on the day it is scheduled and write any requirements on your To-Do list for completion.  Refer to your calendar at least once a day, and your To-Do list several times a day.  Keep your planner with you at all times.  Keep an address section in your planner so that every time you get a number you can list it in there.  You would be surprised how many times you need a number for something while on the road and don’t have it with you. 

Many of us often have thoughts and ideas during our busy schedule and rarely have time to jot them down.  It might get an inspirational idea for a birthday gift for a friend, or it might be a number advertised for a product we have wanted to try out.  Or someone might rattle off their new number and motion us to call.  Where do we write these things?  Hands might be one place, but the notes will wash clean when you wash your hands.  A scrap of paper is handy, but can be dropped or forgotten. 

What works best?  I use my planner.  I keep several blank sheets available in the book where I can write down these things so I won’t forget them.  Then, when I have time, I can move them to their proper spot (for example-a new number would go into my address book).  These places are also good for the kids to doodle when they are bored, and to jot down a quick trivia you might have found.

Check your calendar and To-Do list first thing in the morning, update as needed, and that way you know what the day holds at a quick glance.  This process will not happen right away, and will involve a bit of work and practice, but once it’s done, you will love how organized you are.  You won’t forget any appointments, you won’t forget your uncle’s birthday, and you won’t forget girls’ night out.  Bills will be paid.  And you will be so organized that you will have lots of time to sit, relax, and play with the kids.  You can even use the planner and To-Do list to mark what you will be making (or having) for dinner each day.  (You know-“it’s meatloaf tonight, I guess I’m eating out”)