Style for Grace

In college, I worked 2 jobs, took 15-18 credit hours per semester, did extra-curricular activities, etc. I was always impressed that I could maintain my busy schedule without a planner - my entire schedule was ingrained into my head. Lest you think I was a poor student - I will share my overall G.P.A. was roughly a 3.4 and I even celebrated 1 semester with a 4.0!

Fast forward 9 years and I'm using a smart phone to bring harmony to my colliding worlds of work, business and personal. Lately, I've thought about my paperless schedule organizer (aka my memory) from college and am cannot reckon how I was ever able to do it. (Seriously, my phone has a daily task to remind me to sync my calendar. I never had to push a sync button in college!)

Then it finally dawned on me why my paperless schedule worked back then and could never work today. Back then, I had only one person to worry about - me! Today, I have a child and husband whose schedules - although not too busy - requires integration into my own. This can be quite a challenge and tonight is a perfect example. I arrived home to find out my husband needed to work late! In that one phone call, my plan for the evening was instantly altered.

But despite this unforeseen change, I still needed to get things done. So what do I do? I improvise. I have already accepted that the 10 things I want to accomplish had to be cut in half. The TV show I planned to watch was dropped off the list. But this blog entry has not! What else stayed on the list?

1) Playing with Grace
2) Take down Grace's Christmas tree
3) Call my mother
4) Pay bills

What were the other 5 that didn't make the list?

1) TV
2) Grace's shower (always good for the morning)
3) Draft letter
4) Downside # of e-mails in my inbox
5) Reconcile checking account

I'm always looking for cool organizational tips and because its a new year, plenty magazine are covering the topic. Here are some of my favorite Web sites for organizational supplies and tips. The photo above is a really great note pad from Pretty Bitter - I'm thinking about purchasing a few - because sometimes just promising to accomplish one thing can be equally as important as 3, 5, or 10 things!

Real Simple
(The organization section is great, but be sure to check out the Life and Soul section too.)

Better Homes and Gardens

See Jane Work

Room Service Home
(Be sure to check out the three-way task pad)

Ehow
(Check out the article: How to stay organized. I love Step 5.)

Labels: organization, site recommendation, tips, to do list