Organization Hacks for Busy Days

Usually January is a bit of a relief – a slower pace after the holiday bustle. I’m not sure what happened this year, but for some reason our calendar is EXPLODING with events, practices, meetings, and rehearsals. Managing all of this is a challenge. We’re running from one event to another, squeezing in work and homework where we can. I’ve definitely been leaning into my tried and true organization hacks to help things run a little more smoothly. Here’s what works for me.

• Writing it all down. I’m a paper planner girl and I probably always will be. There’s something about physically writing something and seeing it on the page that makes it stick into my brain better. In addition to writing everything down I’m intentional about reviewing my planner every morning. I take time to sit down each week and make any updates – usually on Sunday – then I leave it open on my desk and glance at it in the morning so I have a fresh reminder of the day.
• Making it a team effort. Up until now I’ve been the keeper of the calendar for the whole family. This year I bought a magnetic calendar and gave it a spot of honor on the refrigerator. My husband and daughter can easily see what we have going on each day instead of asking me. This keeps me from second guessing myself or inadvertently giving them incorrect information.
• Organizing things the night before. Do I want to pack afternoon snacks or pull together my own work bag at then end of every day? No, I want to sit down on the couch and disappear into a garbage tv show. Instead, I make the effort to take a few minutes to pack and organize any materials we need for the next day because I know it will make a difference when we can easily grab my daughter’s song lyrics for rehearsal, my bag of work to take in the car while I wait for her, homework supplies for in between rehearsal and skating practice, and her skating bag. This prep makes it so much less likely that we’ll forget something.
• Setting alarms. Busy days don’t leave a lot of time for distractions. I’ve got to keep things moving and get things done on time in order to make sure that I’m where I need to be when I need to be. Setting regular alarms on my phone helps me stay on task and make sure I leave the house when I need to.
• Keeping notes in my phone. My notes app is my best friend. I try to use my phone for to-do lists, grocery lists, and reminders so that I always have easy access to these. I also take pictures or screenshots of anything that I need to remember – important dates, spirit days, supply lists, etc.

Goodness knows that every trick doesn’t work perfectly, and I’m always trying new strategies. These are helpful at the moment, but if I find others that make a difference I’ll be sure to share those too!