Last week I received my 2014 planner in the mail. I do not know about you but one of my
favourite things to do is crack open my new planner each year and begin mapping
out all the important dates and events.
In 2014 my eldest daughter Jasmine will be getting married,
I need to block the week before her wedding of to help with last minute
details, and I need to block the week after off for what I anticipate will be
much needed “me” time.
A couple of years ago I gave a talk at a woman’s retreat and
was asked to come up with one word that spoke to where I was at in my
journey. The word I chose was “Content" my life was in a state of peace and I was completely content. Having to come up with one word was a
challenge but it something I have adopted each year since.
Last year it was "Adventure" and my word for
2014 my word is: "Create".
The word goes
at the very beginning of my planner to remind me over my overall goal.
Here are a few tips for was to maximize your planner usage
and ensure that if is being used effectively
1.
Take it
everywhere, put everything it and refer to it multiple times per day. It will not work if you do not open it, read
it and use it.
2.
When mail
comes in the door, write bill payment dates, write appointments, and invitations
dates into your planner
3.
Don’t
stop there! Put addresses, contact names
and phone numbers into the planner as well.
4.
Stop the “sticky
note insanity”. Gather all your “sticky
notes” and put the details into your planner.
5.
Keep all your notes, phone details and comments
in your planner – if you need to call someone back in a week, write in your
planner. If you are just too in love
with your post it’s, use them in your planner.
Eg…if “call John on Tues 27 555-5555 “is the post it not and John was
not in, make a note on the 27th that you called and move the post it
to the 29th in your planner to try again.
6.
Add your
grocery and shopping lists to your planner.
7.
Contact
information – keep client numbers in your planner. If you are stuck in traffic and running
late, you want to be able to let them know.
8.
Use
colour to chunk out and separate activities.
I always highlight my categories in colour. An example would be…client bookings in “green”,
family in “orange”, social media activities in “purple”, and networking events
in “pink” and bills to pay in “red”. At a glance I can see what is happening in
my week and the ratio of family to work time.
It helps me keep my priorities in line.
9.
Have a
way for your family to know what is happening with your calendar. Online calendars can be shared. I use a paper calendar for all of my
appointments, and transfer the details to a family wall calendar at home. I have an online calendar my clients and
family can take a peek at to see what time slots remain open. The kids have actually booked me through my
client booking system on occasion to make a point if I have been working too
much.
10.
Let’s go back to #1! If you do not use it, it will not work for
you. Develop the habit of checking,
re-checking and adding to your calendar.
If you would like assistance ensuring you are making the most of your time, space and information, please contact us today for a complimentary phone conversation to see how we can help. I look forward to hearing from you. Bless others with your abundance, Jennifer
