Week 1 - Where to I begin?

1. Identify the areas of your life which you need to include in your Personal Planning System:

• Cleaning
• Time with your Children
• Appointments
• Time with your Husband
• Errands
• Phone Calls
• Menus and Grocery Planning
• Finances
• Shopping
• Personal Bible Study and Prayer
• Church activities/responsibilities
• Children's activities/school

2. I would like to do my weekly planning on _______(day of the week) at ______(am/pm).

3. Fill in the chart with the following information: Chart with page split in half long ways Am on one side and Pm on the other side. Then divide days Mon thru Sun on the left hand side. Sorry... I have no idea how to graph on email. eek

a. Consider your present schedule. Fill in all your appointments for the next week starting with the day you chose in question 2.

b. Fill in the times when you clean or the maid comes. (Include what you do while the maid is cleaning).

c. Start grouping errands by location and put them on the schedule appropriately. (eg If you have a Tuesday, doctor's appointment on the west side of town, plan to complete other errands in the same vicinity.)

d. Have you left off your Quiet Time? If you have not previously had a regular quiet time, make your goals reasonable (ie daily quiet time is a good goal but three times consistently is a good start).

e. Decide the best time to make phone calls (ie during children's naps, morning, afternoon, lunch). Then try to group calls together (eg making appointments, calls requested by your husband, encouragement, etc)

Try to find tasks which you can do while on the phone which will not be distracting (eg polishing your nails, cleaning the refrigerator door, cleaning the sink, organizing a drawer, sorting coupons, etc.) Also, if you are making calls where you will be put on hold (utility companies, doctors, businesses) have something to work on while you are on hold.

f. Plan special activities to do with your children. Schedule this during a time you will not be pressured to hurry or go somewhere. Don't leave out children who are older---they need time with their parents, too.

g. Plan to do something special for your husband like sending him a card or emptying the trash for him. Even though they are small things he will appreciate your thoughtfulness.

h. Check to see if there is anything else you need to add to your weekly schedule such as shopping, meal planning etc.

i. Now what do your days look like? Are they full, empty, impossible? Rearrange your schedule to lesson some days and fill in gasp in others. Spread some tasks (eg cleaning) over more than one day if possible.

j. For the following week, use your chart as a guide. Review it each morning and again in the evening. Check off completed tasks and reschedule others. Do not become discouraged if you don't finish everything! It takes time to learn what you can realistically finish in one day. If you have discovered some gaps and unused time, then fill those in before someone else fills them for you.

There are hundreds of different planning systems available, but choosing the one that best suits your needs is fairly tricky. Below are descriptions of systems developed or used during the most recent years. Feel free to choose one of these or make up a system of your own. You might also talk to someone you admire who use a time management system you think would work for you.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS FIRST ONE--Neysa

The Priority Planner by Linda Dillow The Priority Planner is especially designed for the homemaker. It is published in a wire bound book and gives suggested priorities, weekly schedule, daily schedule, menu list, and shopping list that is perforated to tear out all on one page. Many Christian bookstores carry The Priority Planner or can order it for you.

Note: Linda Dillow is also the author of Creative Counterpart

Hallmark Organizer
This is a very flexible system which can easily be adapted to your needs. However, it is not the least expensive route to go. It includes a loose-leaf notebook and available filler sheets for grocery lists, calendars, address and phone numbers, note pages, expenses, etc.

Daytimes, Inc. PO Box 2368 Allentown, Pa 18001-996 1-800-556-5430
Daytimers, Inc offers a complete catalog of fillers and planning notebooks in various sizes from wallet to large notebook size. They have recently introduced a home management system. The catalog is free and you can order the system suited most to you.

Harper House Day Runner/Running Mate
This system is available at most office supply store. It comes in two sized. There are numerous fillers and the notebook cover comes in several styles, colors, and fabrics. Initially expensive by able to take years of wear and tear, it may be worth the investment for you.

If these systems seem too confining or expensive you can make your own.

1. Purchase a loose leaf notebook of comfortable size. Design filler sheets for your own needs and copy them at a local print or copy shop. Purchase your own dividers and label the sections according to your individual needs. This is a great way to create a system to fit your unique personality and save money.

2. A school notebook with fillers and paper can also be an inexpensive by very flexible way to get you started on your home management system. These are available at nearly any store.

1. Do your planning the same day and place as planned. Go back and review Week 1 if necessary. NOTE: If you have ordered a planner and still have not received it, copy and use the chart described in week 1

2. Review your calendar each day in the morning and prioritize the items you listed.

3. As you complete tasks or make calls, check them off your list. Being able to see what you have finished will motivate and encourage you.

4. Review your schedule the last few minutes before going to sleep at night. Check off your remaining accomplishments and reschedule tasks not completed.

5. Next week check off your planning system with the following questions:

a. Did I plan too much for one day?

b. Did I plan enough to keep me stimulated and challenged?

c. Can I find time for some larger projects I've been trying to finish? (In the beginning, do not plan more than on large project a week)

d. Do I need to add to or delete any sections of my notebook?

e. Do I like my cleaning schedule, or should I try to rearrange it?

f. Am I spending enough time with my children and husband to improve and build relationships?