Feeling Overwhelmed and Unorganized? - How to Use Index Cards to Organize Your Life
Are you still looking for the perfect organizing tool? Is your Filofax too bulky and heavy to fit in your purse and carry with you? Tried a Palm or other Handheld and found it awkward to use when you're on the run?
Ta Da!! - Try simple 3x5 index cards, you know the litle ones you use for kitchen recipes.
Why? They are affordable, easy to find and they fit in your pocket or purse. They come in pretty colors so you can code your projects by color. e.g. one for Family, Work, Personal Goals, Home Projects, Hobbies/Crafts etc. Note: If you can't find coloured ones, use a coloured marker to outline around the outer edge of the card . This is enough to help you quickly sort them into groups if you need to.
Here are some examples of how you can use them. (I use one for each project but you can combine as many as you want onto one card)
Daily To Do List
Grocery Lists
Personal Goals - one for weekly, daily, monthly yearly, life goals Your Life Mission Statement
Favourite Prayers
List of Books on your Wish List to buy (or those that you want to read/look for at the library etc.)
To jot down your Hot Ideas when you are on the run.
Record notes from books and meetings.
Phone Calls - work, business, personal etc - jot the phone number down too so you don't need to look it up before you call.
Keep some blank ones in your pocket, purse, car, by your bed to record dreams, ideas that wake you up in the night. Keep a stack by the computer to keep track of your passwords, favourite sites and keyboard shortcuts.
Examples:
I have one with my Credit Card Balance and I record any new purchases on it as I make them so I can check off the transaction when my monthly bill arrives at month end.
Right now I am in the process of setting up a new Bank Account and I have made a list of all the utility bills that we pay by automatic payment from the old account and which I now need to notify of our new account data. I have this all on one card and can check off each one as I complete it. With a separate card for this project, I feel organized and can see immediately, how far along I am in this process. When I complete the project, out goes the card.
Oh, and by the way, don't forget to use them to record your favourite cooking recipes
I have a little plastic folding cover for my cards with two flaps inside that hold them from falling out. I picked it up at my stationary store and it protects my cards from getting bent and out of order in my purse. This isn't necessary as you can just pop them in any bag but it is handy for me. My daily To Do List is always on the top so I can just flip the cover open and see my list.
I would love to hear from those of you who already use index cards to stay organized. If you try them for the first time after reading this article,I would love to hear how they work for you.
Lorraine Peltier is a business owner, wife, mother, and owner of two black cats. She runs a successful home-based business. One of her goals is to help others succeed in living their dreams. She can be reached through her website at http://www.gourmetcandlebiz.com or via email: http://www.gourmetcandlebiz.com
recurring maid service Wilmette ..Take a look around you right now. Look away from... Read More
Helping people clean out their closet is something I love... Read More
We are bombarded with so many factors that perpetuate disorganization.... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
I recently read an article that had some interesting but... Read More
Life with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) can be a constant... Read More
The summer is flying by for Cindy and her family.... Read More
In your quest to get 'up and running' so to... Read More
I gathered some things you can do this spring while... Read More
At this point, you have probably run across some belongings... Read More
I talk about the mail a lot in my newsletter,... Read More
Getting and staying organized is critical to achieving your goals.... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Are you feeling overwhelmed? Have a to-do list a mile... Read More
Are you plagued by clutter in your personal or professional... Read More
In part 1, we discussed a system you could use... Read More
I recently conducted a survey to look at the relationship... Read More
Article excerpted from the new book, "How to Do Space... Read More
Whoever thought you'd be able to get organized in just... Read More
1. All or nothing thinking/taking on too much." I'm going... Read More
Have you ever felt so discouraged, your life so out-of-control,... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
I followed my boss to a co-worker's cubicle where my... Read More
How do you know if you need to clean out?... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
last minute cleaning help Highland Park ..We hear it every day."Buy this product, and simplify your... Read More
'A well-ordered life is like climbing a tower; the view... Read More
The word "compartmentalize" means to separate into distinct parts. I... Read More
Parenting is always a challenge, but particularly so if your... Read More
My mother is one of the most productive people I... Read More
So you've decided to get organized, but you just don't... Read More
Dennis is working as a factory worker during the day... Read More
Finish each day and be done with it. You have... Read More
When you embark on a life transition, the skills that... Read More
Clutter costs you time, money, space, and peace of mind.... Read More
Working for one of the top Marketers online (David Ledoux)... Read More
De-Cluttering our lives can be an extremely liberating exercise. There... Read More
Clutter is a big problem for many people. At a... Read More
How many of us have enough time to do everything... Read More
From time to time I hear this question from an... Read More
It takes effort to get results, and not just any... Read More
Everytime Mary had to find a file on her computer,... Read More
Use these 35 sanity savers this year to help you... Read More
1. Teach your children to use an alarm clock or... Read More
Ever feel overwhelmed by all the papers, notices, artwork, and... Read More
Cleaning out can seem overwhelming -- especially if it's been... Read More
You start each week with great intentions. You are determined... Read More
Nature loves clutter. Just think of all the stuff that... Read More
Buried under mountains of paperwork from your company? Do the... Read More
There are 3 kinds of clutter: Inner (between our ears);... Read More
Get Organized - Organization |