Fridays in January have been dedicated to setting my self improvement goals for 2013. I spoke about the importance of learning how to rest last week. This week’s goal is similar in nature. I am trying to be true to my organizational style this year. I made a move to try to be totally digital with our calendars and bill payments this year. I figured it would save us some paper and be more efficient. However, it didn’t work for me. I thoroughly enjoy having our schedule on Cozi and find that it has organized us for knowing where DH and I are and who is on dinner duty that night. Organizing my blog posts and Twitter parties on Google is fantastic since it links with my blog email. But, for bills and household chores, I find that I am still an old fashioned desk calendar kind of gal.
It took me a little while to admit it to myself, but I am glad that I did. I’m ok using both. All or nothing didn’t work before when it was all on paper, so I am not sure why I anticipated being all digital would be any different. I have also gone back to writing out my to do lists on legal pads. I totally love my legal pads! Instead of trying to remember to put a task into my phone, I just write it down and it keeps me on task. Once I do sit down to write out this list, I am finding that I need to delegate some more in order to get things done. As much as I would love to DIY all of the house projects in this house, it’s not suiting our time to do so. I have become comfortable dialing our electrician to come help out and I am thrilled with the handyman who we hire for jobs around the house. Before, I would worry constantly about how we were getting things done. I still worry a bit; it is my nature. But, now I am learning to take a deep breath, squirrel away some money, pick a project and call. It’s been a good journey of self-reflection to figure some of this out and I look forward to continuing to make strides in this area.
What are your best ways for organizing your calendars and to do lists? Do you have any self-improvement goals to set for 2013? Share them below in the comments or linky. I look forward to reading your tips!
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I need to do a combination, too. My blog calendar is on my desk and I have a paper calendar for the family on the wall in the kitchen. Everything else is in the computer though I don’t remember to check it every day. Reminders via Google Calendar help.
I wish I could get Google calendar to send me a text though. I may see if I can figure out if the app will do that on my phone.
I got a calendar this year that has paper at the bottom, one for shopping lists and one for things to do. It has been so helpful!
Sounds like a good one to keep it all in one spot.
I agree that there’s something more tangible about paper. I still pay my credit card bill via check (always in full), because I find that I’m more aware of what I spend when I do that instead of just transferring money from my account.
Good strategy for staying accountable!
I’m a pen and paper girl too. I always find the tech stuff too clunky and not fast enough, as far as my calendar and reminders. I do use web bill pay and Quicken though. My resolution is to lead a simpler, more authentic life based on what brings me joy vs. what anyone else says is important.
Good resolution, Shannon!
I have a big planning calendar on my wall and I use the calendar on my phone. In addition to those, I’m a list maker, so I’ve got lists all over the place filled with ideas and dates, and those eventually make it to one of the other calendars. I’m still working on a really streamlined system, but in the meantime I’m learning what works best and doesn’t work at all for me.
I feel like it’s a constant process to find what works here too. Best of luck with it, Xandra!
I use dry erase boards to keep track of my blog calendar, my business calendar and my kids’ calendar… and *sigh* my calendar – so I have four separate ones, ha ha. I love to erase things when complete! it makes me feel like I accomplished something , lol
Just like crossing things off the list on the pad. It does feel good!
{ 1 trackback }