I’m constantly changing hats between roles: wife, mother, employee, friend, boss. Before I know it, the day is gone and I am left with a million and one unfinished projects.īalancing my life is so hard. I am good at starting projects but get sidetracked easily. I have little notes to myself everywhere, and still I forget things! I spend more time writing lists than actually getting anything done. I feel as though my wheels are spinning at one hundred miles an hour and I’m getting nowhere fast. I have so much to do, I don’t know where to start. Eventually, you tumble into bed, exhausted, only to start the race all over the next morning. After a patchwork meal of leftovers, you yell at the kids to do their homework and clean up their rooms, then wander the house picking up dirty socks, that morning’s newspaper, and a dirty cereal bowl, while thinking about the bills you forgot to pay and the workout that you didn’t get to. By the time you finally get home, you’re feeling guilty, cranky, and starving. You never have time to look at your to-do list and end up staying late to catch up on tasks that were all due yesterday. The minute you arrive you’re hit with one crisis after another. After speeding through your shower and throwing on some clothes (not the ones you wanted to wear, mind you, because you forgot to pick those up at the dry cleaner), you inhale a quick breakfast, kiss the kids good-bye (after some tense moments at the door about lost backpacks), and dash to the office. The alarm goes off for the fifth time (after half an hour of hitting the snooze button) and the race begins. To buy, and you know about how long it will take to get it done.Do you ever feel like you are off by just a step? That no matter how well you plan your days, or how disciplined you try to be, one unexpected thing comes along and wham. When you know what you are making, you know what you need It helps to have the bills at a glance and makes paying them and stayingĮasier and cheaper. Also, have your bills listed with their dueĭates. They’ve been a planner lifesaver! Budget and Bills I also like to use these little, inexpensive tabs along the pages where I have my lists so I can easily reference them. Write “Check Lists” on your daily to-do sheet. You actually look at the lists to work your way through them. Subscription, add it to the appropriate list. When you know that there is something you need toĭo, like schedule an appointment, take the car in for an oil change, or renew a When you see you need something from the store,Īdd it to the shopping list. You’ll Also Like: 10 Books and Apps to Simplify and Organize Your Life I like to use these markers when writing in my planner because there are so many fun color options and the ink doesn’t bleed. Someone has an appointment, sports practice, or anything special, the color Have a color for each family member, and whenever Your aunt for her birthday? Check! There’s great satisfaction in crossing If it doesn’t have a set time or day, write in a scratch pad/notesĮverything down (other than actually remembering to do it!), is that you get toĬross things off left and right! Shower? Check! Water the plants? Check! Call No matter you have to do, no matter how small it is, write Ourselves is, “I don’t have to write it down. Is the best way to make sure you stay organized. That’s okay! Once you’ve uncovered the perfect planner for you, using it effectively Many planners that I started only to discover that they just didn’t work for Have to do, you will forget about doing the other half. If you only write down half of the things you This article contains affiliate links to help you organize your life. To weed through the not-so-great matches to find the one that makes your life Finding the perfect planner is a lot like dating – you have Your needs? Try a few different planners until you find one that has everything Style, as well as where and how you use your planner. What you use depends on your organizational Othersĭon’t need anything that detailed and can use a simple 12 months calendar that Others like a planner that shows the week at a glance. Some people prefer a planner that gives them a look atĮach day in full. Needs to be done each day because they have it all in one place. Successful people are those who stay on top of what One place keeps you from double-booking appointments, but it also gives you a Important dates, a planner is a great way. Things in your life like appointments, school activities, work, and other