Tuesday, February 23, 2010

make a list...

***** EDITED:  I made my version of the daily docket in microsoft publisher.  It was just a little easier for me to manipulate for this particular project.  If you have publisher and want to customize your own docket, I'd be happy to email you the editable (is that a word?) publisher files.  Shoot me your email address in the comments or to taralynnsmail@gmail.com and I'll send 'em over.  Sometimes reinventing the wheel is good - sometimes, it's just a pain in the neck!!!  :) *****

Are you a list person??  I am crazy (CRAZY crazy) about lists.  There are few things in life that give me more satisfaction than crossing items off my list.  In fact, I'll even list things for the day that I've already finished, just so I can cross it off (kind of pathetic, but boy is it satisfying!). 
Anyway, I was getting sick of the many cute little notebooks full of partially completed lists, the post-its on my computer and wall, the generic planner that didn't really fit my needs and needed every new paper hole punched 6 times.  So I decided to just make my own.  I did flylady's thing when my oldest was a baby, and had a grand time shining my sink, but it didn't quite fit me anymore.  Then I saw SimpleMom's Daily Docket, and I loved it.  But, for it to work, I needed to change a few things. 
It needed to be small -- I wasn't going to carry around a 2 inch binder along with the other 5 million things in my diaper bag/purse/prepared-for-anything tote.   And I wanted it to be cute.  Silly, but if it's cute, I really do have better odds of using it. :) 
So if you just can't stop yourself from making lists, here are a few of my planner files -- my monthly checklist and my version of simplemom's daily docket.  The file is 4 pages long, but it's for two-sided printing, so you'll print pg. 2 on the back of pg. 1, and pg. 4 on the back of pg. 3 (clear as mud?).  I like that it's little, I like that I can just print it off at home, punch it with my adjustable 3-hole punch, and slap it in my 'planner' - a half-size binder purchased at a office supplies chain store.  I've got a ward directory in there (I just printed it with the paper turned landscape & adjusted the margins so I could trim off the extra), a calendar, a list of birthdays and goals.  I also keep a basic budget outline, shopping lists and a list of items I keep on hand in the pantry/freezer/fridge to make shopping easier.  There's a little pad of paper in the back for (what else?!) more lists!  I made a fabric sleeve/cover for the binder because that makes me happy.  :)

I've used this for a little over a year now, and I really like it.  It changes a little over time as my needs change - I shared the files with my sister, and she made it better.  :)  How do YOU organize your lists?

7 comments:

Andrea said...

Oh my heck. I am in love. I love to write things down. I have so many things on my list that I don't know how I am going to get to this, but I have too. Thanks for sharing.

Andrea said...

When I saw this I got soooooo excited. That is how much I love lists and organizing and planning. Thank you sooo much for sharing.
Can't wait to use it.

The Dooley Family said...

Wow! I LOVE it!! I bought an adorable planner at Target and i'm all in denial that I don't use it because it's just SO cute!! I want to keep using it, but I might be convinced after your cute picture!!

Lindsay and Mike said...

This is so awesome! I am also a list person & have millions of lists scattered across my house. This is a great idea!

TheShippenFamily said...

I am a total list person. I love how you set up yours I want to create my own what program did you use to create it?

Rebecca said...

Tara, this looks great. I need something smaller and a place to organize those lists. Please send me your version. I really appreciate you sharing. I don't have the know how to invent my own. Thanks again.
mantiolsen@gmail.com

Pam said...

I would love the files you made too!