How I stay organized and productive
(Or how I get so much shit done as a high school teacher, parent, and author)
Trying to get control over your chaotic life and get your schedule more organized? I know how you feel. Here’s what I do to stay on top of things. My exact process may not work for you, but I’m hoping it’ll help inspire you to adapt a system that works for your life.
Okay, before we get started, don’t hate me—hear me out. I get a lot of shit done. I’ve raised a family, I’ve been a full-time high school teacher for over two decades, and I have published two young adult novels with more to come if the fates allow.
But my mind is so cluttered with life and creative ideas that I either thrive in an organized environment, or I sink into an unproductive sloth without one. I don’t have time (or the talent) to make my bullet journal artistic. Just to point out that I am not a neat freak, here’s what one of my writing journals looks like inside:
Okay, so maybe you’ll trust me now when I admit that I use four different calendars.
Don’t run away! I’m telling you, it’s not going overboard. For years, I tried using one calendar for everything and it was a disaster. Using separate calendars that overlap is less chaotic and more streamlined than it sounds.
Here goes:
My phone calendar—I use my phone calendar for all appointments and reminders. Everything immediately goes into it the moment I know a date or time for something, and I set alarms and reminders. My phone is number one because I always have it with me, and having alarms set to go off an hour before I have to be somewhere helps me not to forget.
Our family wall calendar (physical)—In our kitchen, we have a family calendar. At the start of every month, I use my phone calendar to fill in whatever appointments I’m already aware of with the times. Then everyone in the family knows that if they need a ride somewhere, they better write it down on the family calendar with the time, or it’s a no. (Our second car was totaled by a falling tree branch a few years ago, and we’ve been sharing one car as a family since. This is how we made it work.) Yes, I know we could share an online Google calendar as a family, but that doesn’t work for us because it’s out of sight, out of mind.
Every morning, I wake up, make my coffee, and check the family calendar for additions. If I’m involved, I’ll add new items to my phone calendar, and if I have any new items that they need to know about, I add them to the family calendar.
My no-frills bullet journal (more information on how I set up my bullet journal in my next post). Each morning after I quickly glance at the family calendar and my phone for that day, I make a bulleted list of every task I want to focus on that day and include any family appointments that involve me. I often star any super important ones. If it’s an extra busy day, I’ll map out a time for each one and add certain tasks and alarms to my phone. (Sometimes I make this list the night before, but never more advanced than that.)
I love physically checking off items in my bullet journal. If I don’t get to something, I can add it to the next day, or decide it’s not important and cross it off.
Here’s a sample. I’ve been on Christmas vacation, so this list is pretty blah, but you get the idea. And yes, I know I have teacher handwriting :)
I used to try to carry my bullet journal with me at all times, but that just wasn’t feasible. I’ve gotten into the habit of leaving it on my nightstand and checking it again after work, a reminder of the daily priorities I had set for myself.
My work desk calendar—like the family calendar, I have a large calendar on my desk at work for teaching deadlines and meetings. These items are only added to my phone or family calendar if it means I have to stay at work late, so it might affect the transportation of someone at home. I do not mix my teaching life with my home and writing life whenever possible.
And that’s how I stay organized and productive.
Thoughts? How do you keep yourself and your family organized? What works for you?
Thank you!! “Okay, before we get started, don’t hate me—hear me out. I get a lot of shit done. I’ve raised a family, I’ve been a full-time high school teacher for over two decades, and I have published two young adult novels with more to come if the fates allow. “
People keep asking me how I finished my manuscript while working full time- I always humble myself and downplay it, but I’m not going to do that anymore. I get shit done. I’m going to claim that and share what works for me. People might want to know why not just hear me say aww, it’s not that impressive.
I’m starting a bullet journal today. First item. Start bullet journal.
Check!
I’m similar. I’m a disorganized mess and use anywhere from 5 to 8 calendars at any time.
1. The Bill Calendar to pay bills and have simple things like birthdays and vacations.
2. Phone/iPad. Like you, this is the appointments that happen on the fly. They can go onto other calendars.
3. School year calendar with the cycles, vacations, days, etc. I print out the 12-month one the school gives and will write end of term stuff.
4. School cycle calendar so I can see the cycles at a glance.
5. School vacation calendar so I can have something to look forward to.
6. Lesson plan book which is like an agenda.
7. School Google Calendar which I have synced to NOTHING. School stays at school. Late meetings, etc, go into other calendars.
8. Marker board on fridge. This is my wife’s more than mine but it helps me know her and my daughter’s schedules.
(9. Writing schedule. This is occasional, usually when I feel like I need to work out a change or something. I’ll probably be doing one of these soon. I would’ve last week but sickness descended on my household. Right now, I’m writing this through a bad cough and—I think—conjunctivitis. Hoping to see the doctor tomorrow).
This does NOT include the various To-Do Lists that I come up with on the fly or other notes I make on the Notes app or on scribbled paper. If I don’t do it, I don’t get shit done.
Thanks for sharing!