To Do’s, Tasks and Projects

How do you compartmentalise the above items?  I’m a list maker (whether it is via electronic means or paper or both).  For me; 

Tasks are those daily items that ensure everyday life ticks along without issue.  Based loosely on Fly Lady tasks and personal tasks. 

To Do’s are a list of items I’d like to do within the next few days (ie have a short term completion date). 

Projects are longer term (possibly requiring multiple steps or stages)

How do I deal with these lists:-

Tasks are mentally stored (on a good day LOL!), are also recurring reminders on my IPhone and written within my Filofax.  Yes there is duplication sometimes but I’d rather have two copies than no copies.  Tasks are printed onto A6 or Filofax Pocket size sheets of paper and laminated.

To do’s are dealt with as Tasks.  In my Filofax they are written on the dashboard to the side of the Week on 2 pages view.  I just draw a line through any completed tasks and when I find the page is scrappy, I re-write. 

Projects are kept solely on my IPhone within the Trello app. 

How do you categorise your To Do’s, Tasks and Projects and where do you store them? 

As always, thanks for reading and if you have any questions or comments, I’d love to hear from you below.

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How to make your dreams come true

Organisation tips (especially for busy Mums like me)

Ok I realise my topics vary like the weather in England but it’s topics that are hugely relevant to me and I’m sure will help others. You see before children I was very disorganised and late for everything. My turning point was when another parent commented how I was always late for everything. I blushed and promised myself I could do better. So here are some tips to start with:-

1. Have a To-Do list. I don’t mind if you have an electronic gadget or write it on a piece of paper, have a To Do list and take pleasure in marking off what you’ve completed. Personally I loose scrappy bits of To Do Lists so I now swear by my Filofax(s) but that’s a whole (several) new blog post(s).

2. For busy families, I love these style of family planners. We have one column per person and the spare column shows birthday, anniversaries etc. My wonderful Mum buys me one every year for Christmas as a stocking filler. Before 1st January I write in all birthdays, anniversarys, school holidays and annual events (ie MOT needs renewing, pet inoculations) It then hangs in a prominent place where all members of the family can check it. PS I know there are plenty of electronic apps which can also do this but my kids are too young for electronic devices just yet.

3. The next step is to empty school book bags as soon as your kids walk through the door. Any diary dates are immediately added to the Family Calendar, replies sorted immediately and put straight back into the book bag. Any letters for future reference are stuck to our fridge door with alphabet magnets (not the minimalist look!)

4. I set my clocks and watches 5 minutes fast and have learnt to allocate double my original estimate of time where kids are involved.

5. Keep a constant shopping list. Add the weekly always need items at the top and then as items get used up, add them to the shopping list. Teach everyone in your family to do the same. Hopefully you’ll no longer get “Mum where’s the tomato ketchup” because you’ll be able to reply “did you put it on the shopping list”.

I’d love to hear your organisational tips too, please leave them in the comments below.