Keeping your schedule organized

[5ft Diva]

Do any of you have an awesome system for keeping multiple schedules organized? I'm starting to feel like my mind is being pulled in too many directions - I need to find a way to be more on top of things.

[5ft Diva]

Anyone....? Anyone....?

[bookworm]

The only suggestion I have is this: One master calendar. I have one 8x10 sized planner where I write everything. We do have a calendar on the wall in the kitchen, which I put the kids and family events on, but I have my planner as the master. I take it everywhere with me. You could even color code your pens (like, church stuff one color, kid stuff another color, etc.) So far that hasn't been necessary for me.

I often write on sticky notes and affix them to the week or day they need to be done-- to dos, shopping lists, reminders, etc. I hope that helps some! It isn't pretty, but it works for me.

And if I keep it, I have a record of when we took so-and-so to the doctor, or sometimes when a certain bill was paid, etc. It's like the diary of the insanity that is my life.

Oh, and I also have a small file bin on my desk, which I found at WMart for $3-- they still have some, they are red and come with two smaller bins-- each child has a file for upcoming school stuff, etc., and I have a file for my calling, a file for coupons (which I still forget to use), etc.

Good luck, Dori, I know how you feel!!

[5ft Diva]

Your calendar idea is like having a family command center. That's kind of what I've got in my phone, but nobody can see it. I love the idea of having a large calendar with everyone's schedules. Normally I'm fine, however, I have found that I'm out of the home more and more and so I need things to run smoothly with or without me here. A calendar would help tremendously because DH needs to know who needs to be where and when. I find that when he knows what's supposed to be happening he makes sure it happens. I just need to get that information from my phone to the wall for all to see! Sorry so wordy.

[natickgirl]

I have a master calendar, too, in our kitchen. I'm a very visual person, so I have to actually have it right in front of me rather than on my phone. I also have a small copy that I carry in my purse, so when someone asks if such & such a date will work for me, I can pull it out & check. I can also easily check a few months ahead or back, when necessary.

I like the idea of having things color coded. My kids aren't involved in too many things right now, so that hasn't been necessary, but if I had more kids or a busier schedule, that would come in handy.

[5ft Diva]

You know - a thought occurred to me just now that I haven't been "sharpening the saw" on a daily/weekly basis. I think getting back to this in conjunction w/ a master family calendar will help me get back on track.

[Erudite]

Outlook will do multiple calendars, but show it all on one. So I keep a "work" calendar with my assignment due dates and what not, separate from my personal calendar. I used to keep a kids' calendar too, but since their schedule is my schedule, that seemed pointless, so I just keep one outlook calendar for that. The pain for me is that I can't carry it around with me...it's on my PC on my desk. I've been thinking for some time of getting a carry around tool (iTouch or maybe iPad?), but haven't done it as yet. You can also use Apple's "mobileMe" system (I learned about it in the Apple store), since you have an iPhone, to publish your calendar for multiple users, like your good DH. And if you use the mobileMe system, your calendar would sync with your iPhone on your computer and then you'd be able to print anything you want. I personally hate Outlook's monthly calendar printed, but the weekly works pretty well.

Hope it helps!