"Get Organized, Dinglecheese!"

Gemini Cricket · 10-11-2006, 07:57 AM

That's my new manta anyway. I'm so unorganized.

I have a little black book for all of my phone numbers and addresses, my cellphone has some, too... I don't keep a calendar, although I should...

My desk at work is organized, but my home isn't.

Any suggestions on how to organize myself? Are there any online programs or something that could help me? What do you do? Are you an organized Felix or an Oscar like me? I know there are Felixes on this board. I know it.

I just saw Google Calendar... should I use it?

And please remember that I'm a Luddite. Me not good with technology, but I'll try...

Ghoulish Delight · 10-11-2006, 08:04 AM

It's amazing what a pen can do. I am by no means Felix Unger, but there are two changes I've made that have helped immensely. 1) I acquired a very good pen to use at work, which has me writing down more and more stuff. All of my meeting notes are well organized, work results available. Simply because I take the time to write them down in a structured manner. 2) I've started carrying my man bag. Which, in the end, means I always have pen and paper anywhere I go. Being able to write something down at any time has made a huge difference. If you're anti-purse, just try to carry a pen and a small pad of paper.

They aren't magic bullets, but I've found the simple use of pens to be a good catalyst towards organization.

MouseWife · 10-11-2006, 08:12 AM

I am horrible with organization. I try but am usually overwhelmed.

Do you mean on a daily basis? I have used an appointment book but then would forget...

What helps this household is using white boards. We keep one for the work schedules and one on the fridge for daily reminders. We also have a big calendar that covers the whole year and put down important dates. Anyone can forget or be confused so it is good to have it down for everyone to see.

Yeah, this is for families but it it's all I got!

Oh, and to get rid of things right away that you don't want/need. It will give you clutter and ruin your organized situation.

I also love to keep a pen and paper handy. If I remember something, I write it down. Or, if I have a few moments I'll pull it out and start doodling and things will come out that I have forgotten.

Good luck!

Snowflake · 10-11-2006, 08:18 AM

Pen and paper, absolutely.

As fgor organizing my contacts, since I use outlook for email, I use outlook for contacts/birthdays/and important reminders.

I also print a couple of hard copies of my contact list/address book and keep one at the office and one in my desk at home, should the day come when the PC crashes or something and I can't access anything online.

I'm afraid I am an Oscar Madison at heart and am generally very disorganized (and a sloppy housekeeper) my desk is primarily covered with useless paper. I've gotten better at not accumulating loads of paper, but that has been a lifelong losing battle.

MG's suggestion of a white board is a good idea too. But to me, that would take valuable space off the wall for art...... so I do fridge magnets with pieces of paper and lists of all sorts.

katiesue · 10-11-2006, 09:32 AM

I had a plam pilot but never seemed to use it much. I'm better with a good ole calendar. I get the smaller ones with the hard covers. There's room in the back for notes, addresses etc.

I also went through my cell a while ago and wrote out all the numbers. Half of them I don't have anyplace else and if I were to loose or totally crash my phone I'd be doomed.

I use outlook for all my addresses, easy to print off lables for christmas cards etc.

€uroMeinke · 10-11-2006, 09:37 AM

One of the first rules is to use only one calendar - Technology is great in that you can sync various calendars, but if you have trouble keeping that up to date, you should check out Franklin Covey, or Filofax, and just keep hard copy. Get something small enough that's easy to carry with you, and just use that as your central calendar/to do list.

Moonliner · 10-11-2006, 10:04 AM

My favorite bit of advice was always "Only touch a piece of paper once". Whatever it is, get it taken care of the first time you handle it.
I use it as more of a guideline than an actual rule but it does seem to help.

Gemini Cricket · 10-11-2006, 10:31 AM

I like the idea of a man bag. Or a messenger bag or something. It gives me the excuse to shop. As does getting a small calendar, address book or organizer.

I tried the white board thing and didn't use it at all. I just ended up donating it to a grade school in Carmel.

At work, I'm mega-organized. But outside of work I can't seem to get my head straight. :shrug:

tracilicious · 10-11-2006, 02:46 PM

I'm so an Oscar. So no help here. I think the only hope for me is a maid. (Or better yet a hot butler.

)

Gemini Cricket · 10-11-2006, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracilicious

(Or better yet a hot butler.

)

Best idea yet!

10-11-2006, 07:57 AM	#1
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	"Get Organized, Dinglecheese!" That's my new manta anyway. I'm so unorganized. I have a little black book for all of my phone numbers and addresses, my cellphone has some, too... I don't keep a calendar, although I should... My desk at work is organized, but my home isn't. Any suggestions on how to organize myself? Are there any online programs or something that could help me? What do you do? Are you an organized Felix or an Oscar like me? I know there are Felixes on this board. I know it. I just saw Google Calendar... should I use it? And please remember that I'm a Luddite. Me not good with technology, but I'll try...
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10-11-2006, 08:04 AM	#2
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	It's amazing what a pen can do. I am by no means Felix Unger, but there are two changes I've made that have helped immensely. 1) I acquired a very good pen to use at work, which has me writing down more and more stuff. All of my meeting notes are well organized, work results available. Simply because I take the time to write them down in a structured manner. 2) I've started carrying my man bag. Which, in the end, means I always have pen and paper anywhere I go. Being able to write something down at any time has made a huge difference. If you're anti-purse, just try to carry a pen and a small pad of paper. They aren't magic bullets, but I've found the simple use of pens to be a good catalyst towards organization. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 08:12 AM	#3
MouseWife Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Da' Beach Posts: 2,957	I am horrible with organization. I try but am usually overwhelmed. Do you mean on a daily basis? I have used an appointment book but then would forget... What helps this household is using white boards. We keep one for the work schedules and one on the fridge for daily reminders. We also have a big calendar that covers the whole year and put down important dates. Anyone can forget or be confused so it is good to have it down for everyone to see. Yeah, this is for families but it it's all I got! Oh, and to get rid of things right away that you don't want/need. It will give you clutter and ruin your organized situation. I also love to keep a pen and paper handy. If I remember something, I write it down. Or, if I have a few moments I'll pull it out and start doodling and things will come out that I have forgotten. Good luck! __________________ Summa' time....when the livins' easy.........
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 08:18 AM	#4
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Pen and paper, absolutely. As fgor organizing my contacts, since I use outlook for email, I use outlook for contacts/birthdays/and important reminders. I also print a couple of hard copies of my contact list/address book and keep one at the office and one in my desk at home, should the day come when the PC crashes or something and I can't access anything online. I'm afraid I am an Oscar Madison at heart and am generally very disorganized (and a sloppy housekeeper) my desk is primarily covered with useless paper. I've gotten better at not accumulating loads of paper, but that has been a lifelong losing battle. MG's suggestion of a white board is a good idea too. But to me, that would take valuable space off the wall for art...... so I do fridge magnets with pieces of paper and lists of all sorts. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 09:32 AM	#5
katiesue Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego Posts: 4,678	I had a plam pilot but never seemed to use it much. I'm better with a good ole calendar. I get the smaller ones with the hard covers. There's room in the back for notes, addresses etc. I also went through my cell a while ago and wrote out all the numbers. Half of them I don't have anyplace else and if I were to loose or totally crash my phone I'd be doomed. I use outlook for all my addresses, easy to print off lables for christmas cards etc. __________________ My life is so exciting I can hardly stand it.
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 09:37 AM	#6
€uroMeinke L'Hédoniste Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: A.S.C.O.T. Posts: 8,671	One of the first rules is to use only one calendar - Technology is great in that you can sync various calendars, but if you have trouble keeping that up to date, you should check out Franklin Covey, or Filofax, and just keep hard copy. Get something small enough that's easy to carry with you, and just use that as your central calendar/to do list. __________________ I would believe only in a God that knows how to Dance. Friedrich Nietzsche
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10-11-2006, 10:04 AM	#7
Moonliner 8/30/14 - Disneyland -10k or Bust. Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 9,022	My favorite bit of advice was always "Only touch a piece of paper once". Whatever it is, get it taken care of the first time you handle it. I use it as more of a guideline than an actual rule but it does seem to help. __________________ - Taking it one step at a time.
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 10:31 AM	#8
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	I like the idea of a man bag. Or a messenger bag or something. It gives me the excuse to shop. As does getting a small calendar, address book or organizer. I tried the white board thing and didn't use it at all. I just ended up donating it to a grade school in Carmel. At work, I'm mega-organized. But outside of work I can't seem to get my head straight. :shrug:
	Submit to Quotes

10-11-2006, 02:46 PM	#9
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	I'm so an Oscar. So no help here. I think the only hope for me is a maid. (Or better yet a hot butler. ) __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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