If anyone is offended by my title, I’m sorry. The reason I called the post like this, is that since I became a mommy, I seem to be more out of focus, more forgetful, and simply out of it! Well, one of my new year’s resolutions was to do something about it!! Being a mommy and forgetful is justifiable, but is it fair to myself, my spouse, family, friends…? Little kids do take up a lot of attention and when one is with them all the time, one gets what I call the Attention Split Disorder! LOL.
I tried to figure out what would be a better approach for me. Many people use a computer to set reminders and tasks. But what if I’m off the computer most of the time? Then it doesn’t work! In order for me to enter a new task or a reminder I have to open up my laptop, wait for it to get online, open whatever program I use, type the task in and then set a reminder for it. Whew, just thinking about it, I know it’s not very realistic.
Another thing I tried is to use a notepad on my Iphone to type in the tasks. It takes a long time, the keypad is tiny. Don’t like that.
I also tried a voice recorder. The convenience is, I can record a task or reminder from anywhere, while driving, at the store, while running, etc.. The problem is, when I get back, I have to listen to what I said earlier and jot it down somewhere. It’s double work and time.
My husband suggested that I buy some sort of a notepad and just start writing down things that need to be done. It makes sense to me, I used to use this method before. I liked it, it doesn’t require any electronics that need to be booted up or typing on a tiny keypad, or transcribing what I said earlier. It doesn’t break, it’s cheap, easily replaceable and easy to operate.
So, while at Wal-Mart, I remembered to get a plain, college ruled, 7″x5″ notebook. I started using it by jotting down tasks that were in my head forever and the ones that popped into my mind as I was going along. I try to keep this notepad handy at all times. It’s either on top of the bar in the main area of the house or in my purse when I’m out. It’s amazing how much more I am able to accomplish when I have a list of tasks on the paper versus inside the head.
While the notebook is workable for tasks that don’t require specific timelines, it’s not very workable for appointments or deadlines. For that I actually use an electronic device, called IPhone 
. But I’m sure that any modern phone comes with a calendar feature nowdays. The calendar feature is great, I can program my appointments with two optional reminders. The reminder pops up on my IPhone screen accompanied by some sort of a beep, within the time specified by me before the appointment. It works, since I do check my IPhone at least once per day.
This is my system. It’s not uber complicated or expensive and the main thing is, it works for me. Thought I’d share it with you.
So tell me, what works for you?
Hay Malika,
I started using Ken’s Chaos Intellect for the computer and transfer my phone numbers to google then it up dates them to the Iphone. Works pretty well. Then I just started using the Iphone Calendar for my appointments. Not that I have a lot.
Chaos Intellect has apps. that you can get for the Iphone. But the service is like $99 for a year. It much easier you just have the phone near the computer when it is on and updates the calendar and contacts. But it is expensive. Ken has the service. Right now I have decided not to use it. But the Chaos program has helped me a lot.
Kim
Cool. Sounds convenient since it’s syncronises with your phone.
Try making a list of tasks the previous night and focus on them the next day. It’s something web designers/developers often do to keep them on track, perhaps it can help you.
Yea, this is what I need to work on. Make the tasks that need to be done the night before and stick to them. Good advice!
I’ve been making my to do list in Word for a while now, but I’m thinking about switching back to paper. There’s something about physically writing it down that helps it stick in my memory.
Daquan has a good point about making a list the night before. When I was still working in a corporate job, I used to make my to do list for the next day every night before leaving the office. I’m not sure why I stopped doing that when I started working for myself. I guess it’s all of the juggling us work from home mommies do
Yea, I remember, I felt responsible to my employer to be productive. But once I became a housewife, my responsibility level to myself dropped and I stopped making lists.
It’s amazing how much stuff can pile up when you simply forget to do this or that. Whether you’re a housewife or an employee or working for yourself, organization is so important!