By now we are all back into the swing of things, after a hopefully fun-filled summer with the kids. I usually give myself a reduced work schedule during the summer so that work doesn't interfere with spending time with Angeline and traveling.
We only have two years before she's off to college and I want to create as many memories with her as possible before she leaves the nest and enters the world of adulthood!
I always find that it's difficult to get back into a routine when Angeline goes back to school, so I am taking my daily planner a lot more seriously this August. It's the only thing that's keeping me from being a total basket case as I get back to work!
I've just recently started using Sharpie Clear View Highlighters to help me be more organized, so I wanted to share my top 3 Tips for an Organized Day with you guys in hopes that my method helps you stay organized too!
If you think that you don't need a calendar...think again! I used to think that too, and never realized how much of a help they are until I began using them last year.
This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Sharpie, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #SharpieClearview http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
3 Tips For an Organized Day
1. Invest in a good calendar or planning system!
I used to exclusively manage my calendar using the calendar app in my smartphone. That was great while I was working on the blog part time, but now that it's become a full time job, I really need a bigger overall calendar that I can refer to whenever I am at my desk.
Are you a visual person? I recommend a desktop, full sized calendar that you can have next to you while you are working. Remember those desktop calendars in the office that covered half your desk? I use my calendar in the same fashion - it's always open and I refer to it frequently throughout the day.
Some people like to have a hanging calendar with printed days and months, but this system works the best for me: use a planner that has a separate area for the entire month as well as for each week with enough room in each day to write several things.
I use a daily planner that has two separate sections for each day: My Week and Kids. It's a great way to keep my work deadlines and Angeline's activities, appointments and family obligations straight!
I also have a smaller, notebook sized version that I keep in my nightstand so that I can take a quick look before bed to make sure that I didn't miss anything, and refer to it in the morning when I really want to sleep in...it's a nice reminder when I have a really full day!
I also take this notebook sized planner with me when I travel so that I never miss a deadline while I am out of town (which is a lot!).
2. Stay on Track!
It's very easy to get distracted around here, and I am sure that your home isn't much different. Between the cats jumping on the keyboard, the dogs wanting to be let in and out, UPS deliveries, phone calls, text messages, laundry needing to be done and of course, social media, it can be so easy to waste away an hour or two of your workday without realizing it!
My tip is to stay off social media until you've completed a task. I am rarely on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook during the workday (unless it's a work-related posting) because once I open up those networks, it can be very hard to get back to what I was doing: working. My way of dealing with the distraction of social media is to only use my smartphone for those things. So if I take a bathroom break or let the dogs out, I pull up Instagram or Twitter on my phone and when I finish with the dogs, I set the phone back down and get back to work.
I am fortunate in that my daughter is in school all day, so there are no kiddo distractions until I pick her up at 2 pm. If you have little ones at home, I recommend saving your social media time for early in the morning or late at night, after bedtime!
3. Mark completed tasks done and move onto the next item immediately.
One of the easiest ways to waste time during the day is to wander away from the task at hand. I have a list of each thing that is due that day in my planner, and I highlight each item once it's completed and immediately move onto the next item.
There are no breaks until it is actually break time!
I never used highlighters on my calendar until just recently. A friend of mine, Lynsey from MoscatoMom.com, uses them and swears it makes her schedule easier so I stocked up during the back to school sale at Walgreens. I'm already feeling a little bit of accomplishment every time I mark something off. Plus it makes my calendar prettier!
You can get these cool new Sharpie Clear View Highlighters at Walgreens - they were on sale when I was there a few weeks ago, so check your local sales flyer! They don't smear your writing and you can easily see through the highlighter to read what's written. Angeline liked mine so much that I ended up going back and buying her some new highlighters for the new school year too!
How do you stay organized? Do you think these tips will work for you?
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TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs
Ooh, I like that they don't smear your writing. I'm in need of these tips as I have such a hard time focusing on doing what needs to get done!
Crystal Green
Like you I have two planners that I run. I have a big one for my stuff and a little one for my household stuff and my VA work. I love this little Sharpie highlighter. I would get a lot of use from it myself.
Robin (Masshole Mommy)
I have a written to do list and calendar. I need to see things in written form otherwise stuff will never get done.
Daisy
I could use more organization in my life. I've been working on a more elaborate to-do list and this trendy little Sharpie would come in handy since I could add some color.
Liz Mays
I have to use a paper planner too, but I keep it all in the one planner and just take that with me when I travel. I use highlighters too!
Nicole B
I used to have a day planner that I loved but haven't replaced it with this year's model. I email myself reminders and also use my Google Calendar app. And I have a huge dry erase calendar on my refrigerator.
Janel
It's fun to see a peek at your busy schedule! I love using highlighters to stay organized.
Elizabeth @ Being MVP
I just ordered a planner. Hopefully I can be a wee bit more organized this year!
Carlee C
I stay organized by lists. Any new organizational ideas sound good to me because it helps simplify my life.
Shauna
I could not live without my day planner, pen and highlighter... ugh, I am so old school but it works for me
Amber Edwards
Seriously agree with #2! if I get online I can't pull myself back off. I have to do all the other work first! Great tips. And I'd seriously be so lost without my calendar!
Jenna Wood
It can be so hard to turn off social media, even for a half hour while I complete a task, I really need to work on that more. I use a lot of highlighting and tab products to help mark my progress and stay on track though!
Kelsey Apley
I am totally a visual person! I have a desk calendar that I write all the things I need to do on it, keeps me in check. I highlight things once I check them off.
Jennifer
These are great tips. I'm a real "make a list of all my lists" kind of girl. So I'm all about a good planner.
Dawn
I really need to get myself a better system for staying organized. And by better, I mean any system at all.
Ben @ Cheap is the New Classy
These are great tips for staying organized. When I started working as a VA, I had to learn to get organized REAL quick. If you don't stay organized you'll drown in your work, no matter what you're doing.
Amy D
I depend on my notebooks, planners, and highlighters to keep my accountable. I much rather use pen/paper vs technology.
Stefany
These would have been perfect when I was in college. I love the see-through tip!
Pam
These are all great tips! I really like having some sort of list for my daily tasks, that way I can be sure that I have completed everything! And it is nice that the sharpies are not smear, smearing is my worst enemy as a left hand person!
Jen Temcio @dapperhouse
It sounds like we have a lot in common. Right down to the highlighters! I love Sharpie brand markers so I will have to try these.
SHELLEY R ZUREK
I love Sharpie markers. Never tried the sharpie highlighter but I love this clearview feature.
Mama to 5 BLessings
I have never seen these before, love them! I so need this in my homeschooling!
Debi
I need a new system. I love that the lids are clear
A Mom Having Fun
I started using a calendar recently and it has made all the difference.
Lori
I am definitely a paper list and calendar girl. I should pick up some of these highlighters instead of scribbling out what is completed.
Ann Bacciaglia
I had no idea that Sharpies had clear tips. I am rushing out to get some of these tomorrow!
valmg @ Mom Knows It All
I keep a ton of stuff in my calendar in the computer. \I can see where highlighting would be helpful just from when I print out my calendar.
Tammi @ My Organized Chaos
We just bought these yesterday, I'm an organizing nut! I have to be though!
Brett
We did the Sharpie Clear View for my daughter for school! She loves them!
And yes, stay off social media. it's a BIG TIME SUCK
Marcie W.
Using highlighters within a calendar or planner is such an awesome idea. It makes a true OCD'er like myself absolutely giddy with excitement!
Crystal
I agree with you on the calendar tip. I have to use a big desktop calendar or else I get really lost. My phone is great for keeping the kids sports & activities sorted, but I need something more detailed for myself.