Hello, I think I am organized, for the most part. But, I am always looking to be better at it. So, does anyone have any helpful tips or suggestions? Any day planners that you like? TIA!!!! Michelle

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Ummm...stay off the board??? I have to set my timer and force myself to get off the computer somedays! LOL!

Um, other than shutting off the computer, the onlything I do thatr REALLY helps me is LISTS...I have lists for everything ...you know when they say "she has a list for her lists" well, they mean me!
But in all honesty, seeing it in writing in front of me helps me, I guess I'm just a visual person....

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I have a desk sized calendar that I have hung in my kitchen.....if it isn't written on the calendar, it doesn't exist (as far as personal obligations)

Bills get opened immediatly and the part ripped off that gets sent in with payment and then put sideways in the envelope and put in a certain spot in our desk

Only handle everything once......as you open mail, file it, throw it out, put it in the bills to be paid area, etc

Notes from school, scouts, etc get signed, written on the calendar, check written etc as soon as they come home and sent right back (or put into the bookbag for the next day

kids homework is finished as soon as the kids get home from school...even on Fridays

I actually have two calendars. One is a 6"x8" that I carry with me to work and that has a two page per month view; the other is a 16 month wall calendar by Sandra Boynton that has a block for 5 people (mom, dad, and three others) with each day down the calendar. that way, you are not trying to squeeze 4 separate appointments into one tiny block.

for me, everything gets written down in both books, so I always know what is going on.

Also, I have an evening routine and a morning routine. Before the kids go to bed I get their clothes ready for the next day. After they go to bed I get their backpacks and daycare bags together. Then in the morning, I get all of my stuff together before waking them up. I know what time they have to get up, get dressed and what time we have to leave.

If you can get with a routine or a schedule and stick with it, IMHO, it makes things much easier to stay organized.

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I got some info off a website (largefamilylogistics.com- I think). I liked the idea of starting a Home Management Book. Each day of the week is dedicated to a household task. Kitchen day, home office day, laundry day, town day, cleaning day, Garden day and then church on Sunday. Then you do the activities associated with that day plus those you do on a daily basis. I like this because I have went weeks without cleaning my bathroom (with cleansers, etc) because my Mommy Brain was in overdrive. Now I don't forget anything.

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Alicia (Tree-hugger wannabe)
mom to Shawn, Jake, and Toad
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I've used a day planner from Franklin Covey since 1991, when I worked for a Lt. at our police department. He called it his "brain book", and it rubbed off on me. In the last few years, I've tried using PDA's and Pocket PC's and I still come back to my brain book. And now that I'm working again, I use it there also.

Granted, the ones from FC are a little more expensive, but there are other options on the market, that's just what works for me. I use it for literally EVERYTHING. And I have a dry erase calendar in the kitchen that I use for DH so he can see what's due, when appointments are, etc.

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Alicia

Mommy to Aidan 10-21-05 and Rori 7-3-07

I try to pick up life as it happens. (toys, dishes, laundry, shoes, kleenex [ew!], bills, appointments, etc) Sometimes I feel like I'm trailing behind my DS or DH to do so, but it saves me time in the long run and keeps things neat and orderly (for the most part!). Also, I found a little thing helps me get stuff done (especially when I'm not motivated) in the time that I have... I can do anything in 15 minutes. I read it online somewhere. I'm the type of person that gets bugged when something is started and not finished, so actually, I'm motivating myself to get started by saying I'm only going to do it for 15 min. But then I start and I can't stop til it's done or it drives me NUTS! But really it works for me. Also, I multi-task. While DS is eating lunch, I throw in a load of laundry, unload/load the dishwasher (set a timer to try to beat), and whip through the living room, picking up all the major things. I clean because I have to, unless I'm emotional and then its not a forced thing (strange I know). But the other thing that helps me stay organized with dates, etc, is a household binder. I have a calendar and a pad of sticky notes inside of it, and there are sections for everything... phone numbers, budget information, account information, "to do/need" lists separated into categories (general, home [repairs, decor], grocery shopping, Christmas/Holidays, etc)... all together in one big binder. I lose that thing, I'm doomed! lol I have my unorganized days but I feel frazzled afterwards, and I get right back onto my orderly train to claim my sanity again!

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~~Amanda~~
Mommy to one Little Man (3 1/2 yrs old), FINALLY expecting #2!!! (due around Memorial Day 2009) *adoption has been put on hold*

I'm still learning with Flylady.net

I think flylady has a lot of really useful info -- the control journal is a great idea, as well as the 15 minute timer.