OrganizerPro - The Ultimate Guide to Getting it all Together

How many times have you arrived somewhere only to forget what you needed in the first place? Note to self: Writing to-do lists saves time, energy, stress and even gas. A good list lets you forget - once you have a written reminder, your mind is free to concentrate on other things. A to-do list even helps you meet your goals. Whether you're a legal pad, personal digital assistant(PDA) or back-of-the-phone-bill type, pick a system that works - and write it down!

Effective To-Do Lists

1. Pull those scraps out of your pockets, purse and glove compartment, and gather them in one place. Where you choose to collect your thoughts depends on your personal style: If you like to cross things off, use a datebook, calendar or spiral-bound notebook that travels with you. If you prefer a more fluid system, write items on individual sticky notes and put them on a wall calendar. You can rearrange them as priorities change. Or stick the notes in your datebook and hit the road.
2. Investigate the many electronic options for list makers. Your PDA is a great repository for all of your lists, including movies to rent, gifts to buy and business contacts who expect a call that day.
3. Categorize your to-dos, keeping like items together such as calls to make, things to buy and errands to run. Other categories might include gifts, projects, contacts, thoughts and goals. Order errand-related to-dos by shop and destination.
4. Prioritize the items on your list to stay focused on what's critical. Revisit your to-do list regularly to re-assess and re-prioritize as situations change, and to check off completed items. Keep a "This Week" or "This Month" section for items that aren't immediate.
5. Buy a weekly calendar and use it for your to-do list. You can easily transfer leftover items to the next page, and you'll have a record of your entire year at the end.
6. Post a to-do list with projects that take 5 minutes or less to complete. Have family members choose and complete a task every evening - changing a burned out lightbulb, pumping up bike tires, putting the library books in the car or rearranging the towel closet. You'll free your weekends of small tasks and have time to tackle the big ones.