This is going to be short and sweet! BUT don’t let that make you think it isn’t profoundly important!
You ready?
Write everything down!
Everything! And I mean even those things you think you will NEVER forget to do.
I want you to make a commitment to keep a calendar/planner and write down everything you say you are going to do.
Even the things that you are sure you will NEVER forget!
Here is what I want you to do.
First get a planner, not a fancy planner, just one that is a plain old calendar that you can write in boxes.
Enter all your static dates in it.
For example: Every Birthday that matters to you and anniversaries. If your child has Dance lessons from Sep to June every Tuesday at 4-5:30 get it all in there. Do you take Yoga Classes? Put those classes in your calendar.
If you think you may only take them a month or 2, put it in for just a month or two, and if you commit to another month do it as soon as you make the commitment: “YOGA 4-6” and write it in every Tuesday for those months.
This would be the same for standing appointments you have or you WANT to have. Such as getting your nails and hair done or a message. (I know that may be a joke to you, but stick with me and it won’t be a joke for long!)
If you have children that go to school, look at the school calendar and put all the dates in your calendar that are pertinent.
- 1/2 days
- Holidays
- Picture Day
- Graduation
- Back to School Nights
- PTA Meetings
- Bring your child to work day
Get the picture?
If you get an invitation in the mail and you RSVP yes… Write it down in the appropriate date in your planner along with the location of the event and if there is a registry, write down that info too.
When you are at the computer be sure and have your planner by your side so you can write down anything that comes up in email or anything you register for.
If dates change on the school calendar you normally get an email for that, so fix it immediately.
If it is a one-time thing. Like you just get a call to pick up little Joey from school for a friend. WRITE IT DOWN! Even if it’s to do it in an hour.
We often get e-vites for parties or events online, so get that in the calendar as soon as you RSVP.
Sometimes I will have a group chat on Facebook where one of my sisters or nieces will say, “Let’s go to the Movies!” or here is an example we did recently, a “The Marvelous Mrs. Mazel” night with the girls in my family.
That was also on a FB group chat. We meet every Monday night but sometimes it has to be canceled or changed so it is always posted there. I make sure I mark up my planner for those changes or additions.
Doing this one thing will save you so much time and aggravation. It will make you feel like SUPERWOMAN and everyone in your life will appreciate your commitment to this, for so many reasons.
This will save you so much headache and arguments and embarrassment and alleviate so much stress that I have no doubt that I will be hearing from you in a few about how amazing following my advice has meant to you.
If you normally use your smartphone, keep doing that, BUT I’m telling you having a hard copy, old fashioned calendar will prove to be a lifesaver. Keep both.
Let me know what you think!
Kathy
The Tidy Tutor