five tips for a more organized life.

After my third child was born, my brain went kaput.  It literally stopped working.  I call my boys the wrong name ALL the time.  I forget appointments and double book time slots.  I am an organized gal by nature, it's in my blood, but something about having children has made me a bit scatterbrained at times.  I swear, it's a disease!

I am a big believer in WRITING IT DOWN.  And I have found a method that seems to be working out fairly well.  I chug along most days without forgetting (too much).  Herewith are my five tips.  Feel free to chime in with yours!

number 1 // TO-DO list
Ladies this is essential!  I have a list I make every Sunday evening.  I keep it in a notebook, in a place that I pass by often, that way I am easily reminded of the important tasks I need to check off.  And sometimes I am known to write down silly things, just so I feel the sense of accomplishment by checking that baby off!

number 2 // calendar
I could absolutely NOT function without my calendar.  I keep track of the husbands meetings, when he'll be working on the weekend and what days of the month he might be traveling on.  Doctor appointments for all the boys.  Play dates.  And date nights!  Oh date nights!  I wish there was more of those.  Before you boo! me, realize that I adore paper, love it actually but I finally had to make the switch to my trusty iPhone calendar.  I can invite my husband to things and quickly see all that I have going on at the drop of a hat.  Oh and one fun thing I did this summer was print of calendars I whipped up on the computer and tape them to our kitchen wall.  They are our "summer fun" calendars so my boys can peek a glance at all the fun summer activities we have planned!

number 3 // email
At night, right as my eyes are about to close, my brain kicks on for some reason and starts mentally listing things.  Utterly inconvenient I tell you but I know I am not alone.  And so instead of fighting it, I give in.  I'll send myself an email (or multiple ones) with all the jumble that's bouncing around in my brain.  That way, come morning time, I'll see it first thing and make notes on my to-do list if necessary.

number 4 // the post-it
Long live the post-it!  Oh bless that piece of paper with the sticky strip up top!  When I know I am planning on leaving the house for an outing or appointment, especially ones that require planning, I be sure to pop up a post-it on the back door.  I make a list of items I need and do not want to forget and stick it up the night before.  That way, when I'm headed out, the last thing I glance at is the list.  Believe me, it has saved me a time or two from forgetting!!

number 5 // the grocery list
I love love love this All Out Of grocery list.  It hangs on the refrigerator and is a convenient way to add items through out the week.  It is also there for my husband to jot down specific items he may want or need.  It's a win/win friends.








What are your tricks for staying on top of it?  I want to know!