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Meeting Yourself Coming and Going
Do you have a goal to be more organized in 2013? I have days when I can’t remember what’s scheduled for the next unless I look at my calendar. I use Google Calendar. This calendar allows me to enter my events online and sync with the devices that I carry around daily.
My Google Calendar is color coded and I can even print it. I don’t print very often, but I’d have it if I needed a written record. You’ll see three colors on my calendar that represent blog events, writing events, and out of office/work events.
On my calendar, the red event is for my blog. I created a calendar to show only those events where I could use that view as a page on my website. If an author wants to be my guest, I direct that person to the calendar to choose a date that is not taken. Viewers of my blog calendar can only see the red events. It’s actually a separate calendar. What you are looking at in my February screenshot is a merging of three calendars. You can even share individual calendars with friends.
You can set up reminders that will pop up at the appropriate time and date. You can also enter details with the event. For instance, if I click on a work event in green, I may see driving directions and phone numbers that I’ve entered in the event.
There’s a great tutorial on Youtube if you’d like to set up your own Google Calendar. HOW TO USE GOOGLE CALENDAR TO MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
Do you use a paper or electronic calendar? How do you organize your life?
BIO: Brinda lives in the southern US with her family and two spunky cairn terriers. She’s terribly fond of chocolate, coffee, and books that take her away from reality.
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Gloria Richard 
Do I, Gloria Jean Burns Etiopio Richard, need to become more organized in 2013?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Snort! Cough.
Ahem.
Brin, sweetie. Why do you ask such a
stupidrhetoricalthought-provoking question?Was I going to write an intro for your guest blog? Yes.
Did I remember? Yes, again. (At 3 a.m. when I awoke
after a hot dreamwith a case of brain fog.)Know what I did instead? I thought, “I could access WordPress and change the post time so I can write the intro in the…….zzzzzzzzzzzzz.”
I use a TA-DA list! This name is the brain child of Sherry Isaac, in a desperate attempt to make me see organization as a fun way to stay on top of priorities. I use a “brain blather” list for random thoughts that pop in and out of my noggin. This list is long and convoluted.
Each year, I purchase a nifty calendar. It’s embarrassing to look at the number of blank
daysweeks. Each year, I make feeble attempts to recommit after I see those empty pages. Each year, when my laptop bag overflows withjunkmany important documents, the calendar hits the dust bunny drawer in my credenza.So! In answer to your question. Yes. I need to become
moreorganized. Even a tiny modicum of organization would be a vast improvement over my current non-system(s).But, this! It looks fun! It has colors. And, reminder features. My new ‘puter, Pewter, Windows (Gaaah! Why me?) Eight, and I see how this might work for us.
You ROCK! Thank you!
I think everyone needs a Ta-Da list. Genius.
I failed in the area of organization of business receipts for writing. I started with a spreadsheet. It’s only have filled in with a box of receipts looking at me. Yes, receipts can look at you with their tiny, menacing eyeballs.
You two make me laugh! Menacing eyeballs… snicker.
Ah, Brinda … you have made a colorful and cheerful way to remind us of what is needed to do each day. I am a compulsive list-maker. I am also a compulsive procrastonator and think nothing of ignorning my own to-do. Maybe if I colored the most urgent in hot red I’d be less likely to pretend they are not there 🙂
Adding a day to my blog, finishing two books and trying to keep up with my daily life, I had better get cracking in 2013. Love your methods and maybe … maybe me and Gloria can turn our bad habits into good ones this year !!
I also love lists. I have to-do lists without dates. I just check tasks off as I get them done.
I use google calendar, but I don’t have it color coded, and I’m just starting to enter everything on it. I do need a place to keep more information on the events. Since Im not terribly organized, Ive started sending interviews/guest posts to folks as soon after they’re scheduled as I can manage. This way I won’t forget about them.
I know what you mean about getting things done as soon as assigned. My memory has much to be desired these days. If it’s not on my calendar, it doesn’t happen. Thanks for dropping in. You should check out that video on Youtube (link in my post). There are some great tips.
Brinda, I love my calendar, I would be lost without it. Thanks for great tips!
Ditto on that!! If Google’s network crashes, I am in trouble.
Ah yes organization… well i use iCal that is synced with my cell and iPad. I use a paper calendar that I carry with me everywhere (a total security blanket) and I also carry a small purse sized one in my purse. All that said, I still miss things…sigh.
Yes, I sometimes miss things when it is written on my calendar. It helps to look at it. haha
What excellent suggestions, Brinda. Gloria, your site is inviting positively lovely.
Hi Rue!
Thanks for reading. I agree. Gloria’s site is all warm and cozy.
Awesome, Gloria. I use an online calendar for work and some social stuff; my husband wants “anything important” to be on the paper calendar on the fridge. It works, sort of. I don’t use a blogging calendar, though since I’ve just put up a call for guest posts on my blog (today!), I think I’m going to use your system!
Hi Leanne,
Brinda, here. Thanks for reading. My blogging calendar has been a lifesaver. I have to it because my memory brain cells are virtually non-existent.
This year I could do with two of me, mainly because I’m guilty of trying to squeeze in too much between times I’m committed to be away from home.
I have a paper diary, mainly because I used to keep an electronic diary and my gadget froze on me. I couldn’t get at my calendar and I had no idea what I was doing. I guess the advantage with the Google calendar is that it syncs with other devices. Something to consider…
Another great post, Brinda 🙂
I like to type in my Google calendar while at the computer and know it syncs with my phone and iPad. It’s very handy.
I use a mix of online and paper calendar. Online, I use my iPhone, which communicates with my computer and vice versa, so I know what I’m supposed to do and when, in terms of appointment.
For my other tasks, I keep my faithful notebook, and my winner lists. It kinda works for me, not perfect, but doable. I don’t want to journal, just take down bullet point notes. When I write something down, I remember it better than if I didn’t.
I confess. I do have paper for quick lists, e.g. grocery and shopping lists.
I love a color-coordinated calendar. I have yet to achieve such colorful bliss online or electronically. For now, I’ll stick to my crude methods of paper, sharpies, and post-its, but you have inspired me to look beyond such Luddite ways of tracking time and activities.
I meant to record every minute spent on my writing on my calendar as well but didn’t in 2012. Maybe I can do better with that in 2013.
Oh, here is where I am so challenged! I have Google calendar (not color-coded!) and one thing I’ve discovered is that you actually have to LOOK at the calendar for it to work. Who knew? Whether it’s paper or electronic I forget to look. I’ve forgotten very important events and left people waiting for me at restaurants.
Just a hint, if you are waiting for me at a restaurant, use the phone. I might actually have it near me and pick it up. Or it might be locked in my car where I’ve forgotten it and I won’t hear it ring. Email and facebook rarely work. I’ll get the message, but two or three days later. And by that time you have been kicked out of the restaurant for stalker behavior!
Trying to get better!
You are a riot. Yes, LOOKING at it does help. A little.
Another great idea, Brinda. You are the techi queen. Thanks for always sharing tools that make are lives more efficient.
I keep a list the is on-going on my computer in a word file. I try to keep that up each night, so that I see it every morning. I add and remove items as needed. I use Red for really important things or eminent things. I use blue for quasi-important and black for regular items.
If it is a must-do and not miss thing I send myself an email and keep it unread.
Not as fancy, but it works (mostly) for me.
I could never stick with calendars well. Part of the fall-down me, I guess.
Scott