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New Years Resolutions

By
Real Estate Agent with Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty

ListsEverybody loves lists

Grocery shopping, things to do, checklists for home repair projects, and more. Mine end up on scraps of paper, the backs of misprinted pages, opened envelopes, and anything else that comes to hand when I am struck by my "list muse".

I'm compiling a list (naturally) of New Years Resolutions. Near the top of the list, right after "buy more flowers for Janie", is going to be a "get organized" category that will include trying to keep my lists in one place, or at least one format. Trying to sort out the back of envelopes from the scraps of paper has turned into too much of a chore.

I am also thinking of some technological solutions, but reaching for an iPhone app or logging into my Google Docs account sometimes isn't easy or convenient. I've got good Project Management software that I use when I need to get hyper-organized for a major project, but it's the day to day simple lists that I can't seem to handle cleanly.

I welcome suggestions from any well organzied people who care to offer suggestions for paper-based list systems that are easy to manage.

Happy Holidays!

Comments (4)

Gwen Fowler SC Lakes & Mountains 864-710-4518
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc - Walhalla, SC
Gwen Fowler Real Estate, Inc.

Post it notes are the worst.  They stick to everything and I have to turn the world upside down to find them.  I have started using a spiral notebook, like I send the kids to school with each day.  I put the date at the top and enter everything I have to do and everyone I talk to.   Last year I used 5, this year I have only used 2.  I highlight things as they are finished and then I can look back and see if there are people I need to call, letters I need to write and people I need to visit with.  This is so simple and inexpensive I shutter to think of how much money I have spent looking for the easy way.

My favorite attorney put me on to this, he has books going back 20 years.  He can see how the barn got built, the trouble he had to go through to settle a car accident claim and such.  He says it has saved him hours and it is a great way to review history.

Dec 24, 2009 03:19 AM
Dave Roberts
Healdsburg Sotheby's International Realty - Healdsburg, CA

Gwen, that's great advice. I have tried spiral notebooks in the past and either misplaced them or just picked up another one and started keeping notes in that one. I can see that I should probably just make it a priority to manage one notebook at a time. Period.

Dec 24, 2009 04:13 AM
Carol Hanson Sheehy
Prudential Florida Realty - Naples, FL

I do like paper and pencil.  I had technology throw me for a giant loop this week.  It is supposed to be my friend and save me so much time.  This was not the case as the new year comes to a close.  So it goes.....Out with the bad and in with the new!

Dec 24, 2009 06:49 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTORĀ®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I wanted to drop by and wish you and yours a Merry Christmas from your friend in Washington State,
Paul

Dec 24, 2009 07:55 AM