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
• Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates
• Day 10: Download a Savings Tracker
• Day 11: Note Daily Deals Expiration Dates
• Day 12: Setup Bill Pay
• Day 13: Secure Doctor Appointments
• Day 14: Purchase Batteries
• Day 15: Include Holidays
• Day 16: Jot down Library Return Dates
• Day 17: Track Your Family’s Favorite Meals
• Day 18: Reserve Time for Your Priorities
• Day 19: Post Your Payday Schedule – with free printable
• Day 20: Prepare Your Medical Spending Record – with free printable
• Day 21: Check Light Bulbs and Air Filters
• Day 22: Choose Event Dates                
• Day 23: Enter Reward Deadlines
• Day 24: Design a Quick Meals List

Day 25: Document Family Holidays

Our family loves holidays. If no holidays are on the horizon, we have been known to make up our own. For example, we are hoping for a snow day tomorrow. In celebration of the possibility, our family did a snow dance at bedtime tonight. We wore our pajamas inside out and started on our left foot. Besides all the laughter and silliness, we made a memory while exerting the last remnants of energy before going to bed.

Though I will not schedule possible snow days, as we know not what tomorrow will bring, I will document family holidays. With the social media explosion, I love the weekly e-mail from Facebook informing me of my friends’ and family’s birthdays.

With the reminder, I can post or message  birthday wishes, but not all of my family members use Facebook. To verify that I don’t forget someone, I document the following types of family holidays in my calendar:

Family Holidays

• Anniversaries
• Birthdays
• Deaths

Remembering both the ups and downs of life keeps our family close. Though the anniversaries and birthdays are preferred, I know the notes of remembrance on or near the home going of a loved one are treasures to hold.

In planning for success in 2013, document your family’s holidays both the ups and the downs. A simple e-mail, card, call, or visit on those special days encourages your relative and brings your family closer. In using time wisely, you cannot afford forgetting your family. Happy documenting!

Question: Where do you record all the dates of your family’s holidays?

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
• Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates
• Day 10: Download a Savings Tracker
• Day 11: Note Daily Deals Expiration Dates
• Day 12: Setup Bill Pay
• Day 13: Secure Doctor Appointments
• Day 14: Purchase Batteries
• Day 15: Include Holidays
• Day 16: Jot down Library Return Dates
• Day 17: Track Your Family’s Favorite Meals

Day 18: Reserve Time for Your Priorities

As the days go by and my calendar continues to change from blank white space to a sea of blue ink, I return to consider my priorities. Though all these other tasks on the schedule are good, I need to value my time. To accomplish my family time priority, I review my calendar focusing on very busy weeks.

In looking over those weeks, I find two or three unscheduled sections and reserve family time. Keeping my priorities in check, I need the reminder during busy seasons to hang out with my family. It may sound silly that I would need to schedule time for my family. In a way, it is silly. However, just because I am with my 2-year-old 24-hours a day, I am not always tuned into her needs and wants.

Setting aside a block of time to just be with my family keeps my schedule balanced. The family activity is not the focus, but rather the act of listening, interacting, and connecting. As I add more items to my schedule that are good and necessary, I protect those blocks of time reserved for my family.

In planning for success, reserve time for your priorities. From pillow fights to family vacations, I block time on my calendar for developing our family bond.

As you block time for your priorities, make the time slot reasonable and attainable or else the time will slip away. In using time wisely, keep scheduling while securing time for your priorities. Happy reserving!

Question: How often do you reserve time for your priorities?