Organize Your Life With Your Smart Phone Calendar

Smart phones, with their many features and capabilities, have become a staple in daily life.

It’s the first thing that we check in the morning and the last thing we put down before we go to sleep.

Without it, I know that my life would be in complete chaos.

One of the main reasons for my day-to-day organizational success is my smart phone’s calendar feature.

Since the calendar is on my personal device, I feel comfortable adding anything of importance without fear of it being publicized or scrutinized.

The more I have learned to effectively use this feature, the more my productivity level has increased.

Here are some suggestions of tasks and reminders that can be added to your calendar that will help organize your life.

Less Common Reminders:

• Inside home maintenance – drain water heater, clean out dryer vent, gps trailer tracking change air filters, check heat and A/C units, add salt to filtration system, change water filters, clean out pool pumps, add septic tabs, drain A/C pan, spray pest control, clean windows

• Outside home maintenance – plant and lawn fertilization, weed and pest control, repaint and stain, pressure wash, clean windows and screens, check doors and windows for leaks, check roof for wear and damage

• Car maintenance – oil changes, regularly scheduled service, state inspection renewals

• Doctor recommended self health checks for both men and women

• Appointments for annual physicals and shots for the family as well as pets

• Dates of health-related events that need to be remembered for future reference – shot records, illnesses, episodes, cycles, surgeries

• Milestone dates and expected accomplishments associated with personal goals

• Communication days/times, travel arrangements, events and issues that might need future attention for co-parents

• Friend’s and family member’s important life events, in addition to birthdays and anniversaries

Note: As I explained in an article about Strengthening Friendships, it is important to be aware of both the good as well as the bad days in your friend’s lives. For example, including the date that your friend’s parent passed away in your calendar will remind you to check in on them when they might need you the most.

• Contractor’s milestone checks to ensure that they are on schedule

• Service provider’s upcoming vacations which will allow you to find a fill-in during their absence or make an appointment before they leave – hair stylists, nail technicians, babysitters, house cleaners, yard maintenance crew

• Bill payment deadlines for both personal and business (monthly, quarterly and annually) – association dues, college room, board and tuition fees

• Health benefits open enrollment and election period

• Due dates – rebates, gift certificate expiration, coupon expiration, movie returns, library returns, credit card payoffs for promotional rates

• Rental/ lease expiration dates – car, home/apartment, equipment, furniture, electronics, college text books

• Filing dates – taxes, property value protest, voter registration, homestead exemption, Continuing Education credits, professional license renewals

• Expiration of contracts that you might want to cancel or renegotiate – cell phone, electricity, health or country club membership, home security, home and appliance warranties, home maintenance service providers, car warranties, other miscellaneous club memberships

• Required inspections and cleanings for warrantied items – everything from jewelry to carpet

• Expiration of identification cards/ documents – driver’s license, passport, voter ID card

• Expiration of insurance policies – home, car, life, unemployment, short- or long-term disability, jewelry, electronics, motorized vehicles (ATVs, motor homes, boats, motorcycles)

• Expiration of subscriptions – travel memberships, satellite radio, domain names, website hosting, magazines, online, computer anti-virus software