Gingerbug
07-05-2008, 06:38 AM
I said earlier that I would talk about each of the sections in my working notebook so here's the first part in this series of threads. I called it Calendars and Tracking because it started out as just a calendar section and involved into something a little more.
This section is of course front and center...the first section...that is because time lines, setting goals and keeping things "in sight" is very important.
I started out with just printed calendars in this section and when I did the countdown and other plans I would write the week's focus on them and jot party dates etc...not much else at that point.
Now those CALENDARS are the backbone of just about everything HOLIDAY...Here's the list of ways I use the calendars:
1. Important Dates: of course! But I also write deadlines for finishing with gifts, stocking stuffers, etc....and then I back it up a couple of weeks and jot down...."Stocking Stuffer deadline in three weeks" That's my little kick in the ______. to get moving or else the deadline will arrive with nothing accomplished. Because I host several events during the holiday season I do something similar for party planning...a deadline with reminder about paper goods and decor for the party, a deadline for finalizing menu and shopping list and reminder, a deadline for actually buying the items and reminder etc!! I know it sounds contrived and believe it or not am NOT a naturally organizied person...that is why I have to make myself do it!!!
2. Master Lists: for certain events or holidays I have done them so many times that I have created a master "to do" list for them. These master to do list are stored in this section for easy reference. I do revise the list every so often to keep it fresh and current. I can always decide not to do something on the list this year or to add an item or two as there are a few blank spaces. For example I have a master to do list for: Easter, Summer Parties, 24 Days of Christmas, Ornament exchanges etc etc etc.
3. This section also house by Month by Month Rudolph Day list....this shows my year long plan for what I would like to accomplish each month...whether it actually gets done on Rudolph Day or some other day of the month is always up in the air...but it at least gives me ideas of things that can be done ahead of time and I think prevents me from wasting time thinking about what to try to do each month!!
4. Holiday Plans: This section also has a print out of the Christmas Countdown weeks and/or the Holiday Grand Plan Weeks....honestly I have never been able to keep up with the grand plan...but it is a good plan none the less and I keep dreaming that one year I will make it all the way through it!!! What I keep here is just the list of weeks and the focus for each week not the actual list of things to do...those are in another section!!
So that's it for the first section....and it has taken me several years to get here and I still do not feel like I am keeping on top of things all the time....you know LIFE happens and the best laid plans need to be revised...LOL BUT at least I have plans and I recognize that they have to be revised...before I never knew where I was or what had to be done!! LOL
This section is of course front and center...the first section...that is because time lines, setting goals and keeping things "in sight" is very important.
I started out with just printed calendars in this section and when I did the countdown and other plans I would write the week's focus on them and jot party dates etc...not much else at that point.
Now those CALENDARS are the backbone of just about everything HOLIDAY...Here's the list of ways I use the calendars:
1. Important Dates: of course! But I also write deadlines for finishing with gifts, stocking stuffers, etc....and then I back it up a couple of weeks and jot down...."Stocking Stuffer deadline in three weeks" That's my little kick in the ______. to get moving or else the deadline will arrive with nothing accomplished. Because I host several events during the holiday season I do something similar for party planning...a deadline with reminder about paper goods and decor for the party, a deadline for finalizing menu and shopping list and reminder, a deadline for actually buying the items and reminder etc!! I know it sounds contrived and believe it or not am NOT a naturally organizied person...that is why I have to make myself do it!!!
2. Master Lists: for certain events or holidays I have done them so many times that I have created a master "to do" list for them. These master to do list are stored in this section for easy reference. I do revise the list every so often to keep it fresh and current. I can always decide not to do something on the list this year or to add an item or two as there are a few blank spaces. For example I have a master to do list for: Easter, Summer Parties, 24 Days of Christmas, Ornament exchanges etc etc etc.
3. This section also house by Month by Month Rudolph Day list....this shows my year long plan for what I would like to accomplish each month...whether it actually gets done on Rudolph Day or some other day of the month is always up in the air...but it at least gives me ideas of things that can be done ahead of time and I think prevents me from wasting time thinking about what to try to do each month!!
4. Holiday Plans: This section also has a print out of the Christmas Countdown weeks and/or the Holiday Grand Plan Weeks....honestly I have never been able to keep up with the grand plan...but it is a good plan none the less and I keep dreaming that one year I will make it all the way through it!!! What I keep here is just the list of weeks and the focus for each week not the actual list of things to do...those are in another section!!
So that's it for the first section....and it has taken me several years to get here and I still do not feel like I am keeping on top of things all the time....you know LIFE happens and the best laid plans need to be revised...LOL BUT at least I have plans and I recognize that they have to be revised...before I never knew where I was or what had to be done!! LOL