How do you stay organized (to-do lists, calendars)?

[Anonymous]

This is not my strength. I managed ok pre-kid, but now I need a better system. I began using gTasks task management s/w on my phone and computer, but it's not quite meeting my needs -- it's a bit cumbersome yet lacking some useful features (especially on the computer interface, where you can't see all your tasks for today without moving from one category to another to another). I find myself jotting the day's to-do's on paper again, so I can more easily put them in order and sometimes put times next to them. But I don't carry the paper around with me, it just sits on my desk, so that's not working that well either.

Does anyone have a system that is not too time-consuming to use/learn but that works well, for both time-specific appointments and to-do lists? Thank you.

[Anonymous]

We use Google Calendar for all personal/family appointments and schedules. Everyone has their own color so we can see who the event is for. For daily tasks I use my Outlook e-mail at work since I am on that mor during the day M-F

[Anonymous]

I have a blackberry for work and I put all personal items on that calendar as well. Appointments, tasks/reminders/to do lists etc. I tend to be very scatter-brained, so I have to set up reminders for everything (eg "call the dentist tomorrow", "pick up Rx on friday" etc). DH has a same set up at work, and sometimes he and I will send items for each other's calendars. It's not perfect, but it seems to work most of the time.

[Anonymous]

I have an iPod touch, and I use apps on that to keep me organized.

PocketLife is a calendar app that has 4 calendars. I have 1 for everyday stuff, one for work, etc.

I also use "errands" as my to do list app. You can label them as different priority levels, in different folders, etc.

[Anonymous]

I am old school and don't want a gadget to help keep me organized. I use a smaller spiral notebook and put EVERYTHING in it. My new one has several pockets but I used to even tape things into it. At an old job people referred to my notebook as "the bible" because it had so much inofmration in it (meeting notes, important contact information, brainstorms, etc.). I use a calendar to keep track of doctor appts, activities, meetings, fun things, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We use Google Calendar for all personal/family appointments and schedules. Everyone has their own color so we can see who the event is for.

Me too! We have several different calendars (one for my personal stuff and/or kids schedules, one for DH's personal stuff, one for DH's work related appointments, one for girl scouts, one for soccer, etc.)

Advantages:
*can access from any computer
*can sync to an ipod calendar
*can see as many calendars at once as you wish (appointments show in the color you have designated for each calendar)
*can share calendars (so for instance, I'm a girl scout leader - and all the parents have access to the girl scout calendar)

I love this. It has also gotten DH organized - which I didn't not think possible. I think I asked this very same question on this forum several years ago. I tried different things and this is what worked best. I anticipate that as the kids get older they will have their own calendars and be responsible for putting in their own appointments (band concerts, soccer games, award ceremonies, etc.) (they are 7 & 9 now).

[Anonymous]

I use the GTD system (David Allen) with gmail folders as my task list.

[Anonymous]

We use the Google calendar, and my older kid (age 15) enters her stuff too. We're hoping the younger kid will start. You see everybody's activities in different colors, on the same calendar.

When we're on the road, we can access the calendar through the Calengoo app on the iPhone. I plugged this app here before, so it's getting embarassing, but really this has saved us a million times. The App updates itself over WiFi whenever we're home, without us thinking about it. Then when I'm at work or at some kid activity, if I turn on the app from my iphone, I can see the most recent version of the family's google calendar.

[Anonymous]

Set priorities -- much more important than whichever system you use, whether it's on paper, on your BB, iphone or ipad. on your desktop in your head or written with a sharpie on the inside of your wrist. The key is to figure out what's most important and focus like a laser on that. If you're having a hard time figuring out what's most important, ask yourself what's keeping you awake at night. Do not allow other things to get in your way until you've addressed your priorities. Resist the urge to respond to every text or email immediately -- you can't allow yourself to be diverted by cyberintrusions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am old school and don't want a gadget to help keep me organized. I use a smaller spiral notebook and put EVERYTHING in it. My new one has several pockets but I used to even tape things into it. At an old job people referred to my notebook as "the bible" because it had so much inofmration in it (meeting notes, important contact information, brainstorms, etc.). I use a calendar to keep track of doctor appts, activities, meetings, fun things, etc.

WOW! Really? I wondered if people like you still exist!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am old school and don't want a gadget to help keep me organized. I use a smaller spiral notebook and put EVERYTHING in it. My new one has several pockets but I used to even tape things into it. At an old job people referred to my notebook as "the bible" because it had so much inofmration in it (meeting notes, important contact information, brainstorms, etc.). I use a calendar to keep track of doctor appts, activities, meetings, fun things, etc.

I'm with you, OP! I use a wall calendar and a little pocket calendar and notebook. Of course, I'm still not terribly organized, but no gadget is going to get me there!

[Anonymous]

I posted on another thread, but I'm the one who has a HUGE magentic dry erase calendar on the fridge. I mark everything on there, for all members of the family. Everyone can refer to it, add, or delete things.

[Anonymous]

Another vote for Google calendar and color-coding.

Question for my fellow Google devotees: have you found a to-do list that works well with it? I've tried a few (Google Tasks, Remember the Milk), but nothing's really wowed me yet.

I also have a Sandra Boynton family calendar at home I really like: http://www.amazon.com/Moms-Family-Calendar-Sandra-Boynton/dp/0761157379. The columns are useful, I use the same color-coding as my Google calendars, and it's cute.

[Anonymous]

I'm on a secure work network, so I can't access the same calendar at home and work. I send DH meeting invites for anything during the work day, and everything else goes into a nice MoMA calendar I carry with me everywhere. I also carry a nice spiral notebook with me for things that come up that I want to jot down. We have a pad at home on the fridge for needed groceries and other supplies.

[Anonymous]

Cozi.com is great. Color coded calendar, to-do and shopping lists.