Using Time Wisely

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My Upcoming 2012-2013 Events

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My upcoming 2012-2013 events

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

This school year seemed to take off like a rocket. In whizzing past opportunities, I have chosen to limit my event planning this year. Last year, I took on too much. Though the events went really well, I was worn out, tired, and sick after each event.

Though I am still very active at my children’s school with chaperoning on field trips, organizing lunch pickups, and assisting teachers with daily tasks, I am not directing any of the school programs this year. I enjoy directing, but I lighten my load. In using time wisely, these are my upcoming 2012 -2013 events:

Fall Festival

Our school’s primary fundraiser is our Fall Festival in November. In the midst of our building project, all proceeds from the Fall Festival will benefit our growing student body.

These Fall Festival preparations are in the works, and I have been working to nail down commitments. Creating a safe, fun environment with lots of activities and shows is my goal in coordinating KidZone. I’ll keep you updated as our event takes form.

Lunch Coordinator

As our school is growing, I volunteered to help our new school office manager at lunch time. In past years, the students only had the option to purchase pizza on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Each child is responsible to bring their own lunch to school as there is not a school cafeteria. To assist parents with at least one lunch option a day, I researched, visited establishments, negotiated deals, and created an order form for weekly lunches. The new system takes effect next week. Stay tuned for more details on the good, the bad, and the ugly. 😉

Forensics Coach

My new adventure this year is coaching one student in the NFL (National Forensics League). Though I have entered speech contests, directed productions, completed two speech degrees, taught Fundamentals in Speech, and judged numerous speech contests, I have never coached one-on-one.

Besides the newness in coaching, I have no experience with the NFL, so I’m learning their rules, guidelines, and judging regulations. The first meet might be interesting, but we have to start somewhere. 😉

With my upcoming 2012-2013 events, I look forward to learning new concepts, applying my experiences, and enjoying the process while using time wisely. In preparing for these events, I expect to make mistakes, but in the end, I’ll be better for it.  Stepping out of my comfort zone!

Question: What are your plans this school year?

Making Spontaneous Adjustments

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Making spontaneous adjustments

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

My idea of the perfect outing is where the day goes according to my plan. Yes, I plan outings because I like to know where we are going, what we will do, and when we will leave.

The structure defines how long we can stay, and what activities we can do. Making spontaneous adjustments gets me over obstacles, but I prefer to have all the possibilities covered. Quirky? Absolutely! 🙂

Arranging our schedule

This past Saturday, I had the day planned. With the free Smithsonian Museum Live event and soccer games previously scheduled, I decided to pack everything just in case we didn’t have time to come home to change.

After a big breakfast, we headed out in the rain to our chosen Children’s Museum. Upon quickly finding parking and no lines, we proceeded to the admission desk. As I presented our vouchers, our request was met with confusion. The agent informed us that they were not participating.

An Abrupt Halt in our Schedule

Stunned, but not surprised by this museum’s choice, we moved out to the lobby. Having blocked off the morning for our museum trip, we had a choice to make. Deciding to leave, we made a quick stop by Paul’s parents’ house and chose to enjoy a leisurely family lunch.

Adjusting our Schedule

Bringing along two Groupon vouchers where I paid $15 for $30 worth of food, we headed toward the restaurant. After selecting 5 meals, I used the Groupons and paid $1.24 (in cash) to complete our transaction. After a nice lunch, we discovered that my son’s practice shirt was packed, not his uniform shirt. We zipped by our house to let him change and then headed out to the ball fields.

Though our day did not follow my schedule (How dare it? ;-)), the result of making spontaneous adjustments proved that family fun is where our family is. By knowing what on our schedule can change and keeping coupons, daily deal vouchers, and gift cards nearby, we enjoyed our family time together.

As you plan your next outing, party, or event and those plans come to a halt, enjoy the ride of making spontaneous adjustments. Your outing may fare better with a little creativity while using time wisely. Happy planning with spontaneous adjustments!

Question: How do you roll when your plans change?

Planning for Success: Select a Planning Tool – Day 1

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Welcome 2013!

Planning for success - Day 1

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 1: Select a Planning Tool

Whether you choose a paper calendar or electronic scheduler, select a planning tool to use throughout this year. Having tried Google calendar so I could share with Paul, I found the system difficult to keep up. Without having access to it from my phone and problems syncing up, I went back to my paper calendar.

My calendar of choice is a monthly option. Similar to my menu planner, I prefer to see the entire month at a glance. Desiring to keep my desk clutter-free, I choose an 8.5×11” landscape (horizontal) calendar option, print one month per page, and staple all 12 months together into one calendar year.

If you are looking for calendar options, these links contain free printable calendars:

    • Monthly – both horizontal and vertical options
    • Weekly – Shayla offers a number of calendars, menu plans, cleaning charts, and blogging schedules
    • Daily – Tiffany offers a detailed 2-page planner with lots of details

As we begin this journey of planning for success, select a planning tool. From the classic daily, weekly, and monthly options, choose based on the space you need to record your events, activities, appointments, and other information.

With small handwriting, I can squeeze lots in a small space, but someone else may not. If you are struggling, then choose your top two options and print the first 2 weeks of January. As we add the details each day, you can see which plan works best for you.

In using time wisely, let’s prepare to prosper in 2013. Join me tomorrow for Day 2 as we fill our calendars while planning for success. Happy choosing!

Question: Which planning tool do you prefer?

Planning for Success: Set Your School and Work Activities – Day 8

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Planning for success - Day 8

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 1: Select a Planning Tool

Day 2: Add Your Priorities

Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – with free printable

Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates 

Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills

Day 6: Insert Credit Report Schedule

Day 7: Schedule Your Annual Home Maintenance

Day 8: Set Your School and Work Activities

As the second semester of school commences, I am getting requests to take on responsibilities. Though I love our school and help as often as my schedule allows, I must keep my priorities in order. Before accepting new responsibilities, I add to my calendar all the known school activities gathered from the school calendar prior to adding optional duties.

Knowing when programs, projects, and meetings are scheduled, I can evaluate new opportunities in light of my time and my priorities. For me, my children’s classes take priority over the other classes. But when my children’s classes have adequate assistance, then I consider helping others.

Items on my calendar include the following:

    • Activities – field day and open houses
    • Assemblies – chapel and award ceremony
    • Competitions – spelling bee and geography bee
    • Days off for holidays and breaks
    • Fairs – science and history
    • Field trips
    • Hubby’s days off
    • Hubby’s office parties
    • Kindergarten graduation 🙂

Of course, your schedule will look different from mine, but adding your work and school activities to your schedules gives you an idea of how many more activities you can add and still maintain your priorities.

In planning for success, set your school and work activities on your calendar. Besides knowing what you need to do for the week, you will know when your plate is full.

By scheduling what you need to do, you can choose what you want to do with the time remaining. Keep using time wisely as you plan for success. Happy scheduling!

Question: Do you find putting everything on your calendar freeing or overwhelming?

Planning for Success: Register Community Events – Day 29

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Planning for success - Day 29

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 29: Register Community Events

Our month of planning for success is winding down. Though I am far from completing my calendar for the year, I have a great start with reminders along the way.

Usually, I do not care to get reminders from others. Those doctor appointment calls and e-mails waste my time. If I confirm once, then I’m coming. I really don’t need the additional reminders a week before or day before. Ah . . . OK, stepping down from my soap box now. 😉

In our event category this month, we have selected a planning tool, set our school and work activities, included holidays, and chosen event dates. In ending this planning for success event section, I register community events. These events include the following:

Church

From retreats to seminars, record registration deadlines for these activities.

Clinics and Classes

Applying early for events, even the free ones like Lowe’s Build and Grow, reserves your spot in the class. Some of our classes are through the zoo, art museums, science centers, and private organizations. Usually these events are first come, first serve, so register early.

Lessons

If you register for swim, musical instrument, sports, or other private lessons, record the registration dates and times for best availability.

School

Meeting enrollment deadlines during the discount period saves my family money, energy, and time. Without wondering about available space, my children’s spots are reserved when payment is received. Adding these dates to the calendar gets me moving.

If you apply for financial aid, then also include that deadline date on your planning tool.

Sports

In our household, we register for soccer season. As I get registration information, these dates are placed on my calendar to get on the same team and prevent paying more after the early bird deadline.

Summer Camps

My daughter is so excited about going to art camp this year. She turned 5 years old after the cutoff date last year, so she is thrilled to finally go. Knowing how excited she is, I am waiting for registration to open and will enroll her as soon as the information is released.

Other camps might include sports, fine arts, zoo, and day camp. As you get the information, add the deadlines to your calendar to prevent tears and disappointment this summer.

In planning for success, register community events early to save money, energy, and time. I have been saved many times by these reminders to myself. I even go so far as to schedule reminders to check websites for information months in advance.

Continue using time wisely by spending a few moments to note registration dates. Besides increasing your chances of holding a space, you may also save money, energy, and time. Happy registering!

Question: How do you remember registration dates for community events?