Organizing your household:

The first step is you:

Getting organized is not an end in itself. There is no “right” way to do things—unless it’s right for you. It must fit your style, your energy, and your schedule. Whatever system helps you to function most effectively is the best one for you. Beware of the tail wagging the dog situation—in which the appointment book, the budget and the expenditures records, the filing system, and the master list take more time to maintain than working out the problems they’re supposed to solve.

Are you a morning person? Your efficiency may increase if you arrange your tasks as much as possible around the rhythms of your body. Try scheduling top-priority projects during your peak hours, routine work during your low-time.

The key is to start now, no matter what! If you have a call to make, start dialing. A letter to write, start writing or typing.

Use the salami method to reach your goal. If the size of your project overwhelms you, tackle it a piece at a time. You wouldn’t eat a salami whole, would you? You’d cut it into slices. Do the same thing with your big projects.


The Master list:

To organize your family activities and keep track of everyone’s schedule, put up a large poster sized master calendar that displays a full year. Enter all important family dates—birthdays, anniversaries, holidays—at the beginning of the year. Also enter appointments, as they are made, for everyone in your family.

Buy a notebook small enough to carry with you at all times. This notebook becomes your master list—a single continuous list that replaces those little scraps of paper. In the notebook, keep track of errands, appointments, things to do or buy, and items that will require action. As they approach, transfer dates from your master calendar to the notebook.

Shop around in stationary and office supply stores for the notebook that best suits you. You’ll probably be pleasantly surprised at the variety available these days. Include in your notebook all telephone numbers and details needed to accomplish a job.

Don’t overcomplicate your notebook by listing items that are a part of your daily or weekly routine. Save the notebook for reminders and special projects. Make a list of lists section in your notebook---a file of ideas. For example, set aside individual pages to list books to read, movies to rent, current movies to see, places to go when people visit, recommended restaurants, and so on.

At the start of each week—or, better yet, at the end of the previous week—plan several days ahead. It gives you perspective on the week, enables you to spread out the musts, and prevents a frantic rush at the weeks end.

Set aside a time for fun—treat it like an important appointment. If you don’t set aside a specific time for relaxation your work and other commitments will soon take over your life. Keep your list with you at all times. A list is worse than useless if you can’t refer to it because you may think that you’ve disposed of a matter when in fact you haven’t.
Set a goal to do one necessary chore each day that you really dislike. You’ll have a sense of satisfaction each time you succeed. Keep a second, separate notebook to cope with complex, special situations—for example: enrolling a child in college, moving to a new home, or organizing a big family to do or holiday.

Don’t be in a hurry to throw away notebook pages that have been completed. That stove part you ordered 2 months ago may be all wrong when it arrives, and you may have to call the same people all over again.