I will admit it gladly. I am a recovered unorganized person. I have many reasons to validate the reasons however, I’d rather spend our time together being productive. Somehow I came upon an idea so simple that I was incredulous I had not run across it before, and I have used this method in many ways. The idea is taking a sheet of paper and drawing two intersecting lines, one horizontal and one vertical. This makes four squares. In each square, I place a heading. In my case, it was faith, kids, homeschool, home. In each of these squares, I listed the items to be accomplished in a week.
In the past, I ran my world consisting of home, homeschool and several businesses in my head! I would think about each and get a certain amount done each day, feeling very inadequate when the inevitable happened, I would forget some very important event or deadline and then scramble to get it done. I did this for years always feeling like I was running behind a moving train with no hopes of ever getting on board.
I read the books on organization, I tried various techniques but all required a bunch of work on my part and no immediate results. This one sheet of paper worked great. I didn’t have to keep it – I could throw it away if I wanted and I could add to it all week long, keeping it in a location where it would not get lost! I now use a spiral notebook or a legal pad and keep a record of things that I might need to do on different days. This works well for me.
I’m one of those people that can write it down and remember it, but seeing it again and adding to the list is so much more satisfying that I had hoped and I do finally feel accomplished. If it does not get done that day, no worries it goes to the next day. And, best of all I highlight and prioritize the things that must get done that day, like going to the dentist or a deadline (like this blog post) that must be met.
I was so pleased with my results that I added the 4-square planner in each of my monthly themed printables in 2018 that I gave away to the email subscribers of the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network website. In fact, I will include ideas for using this planner in all the new printables this coming year.
Your squares may look different. Each square may include specific goals, household shopping or menu, errands to run or cleaning schedule. You can even use this for school activities. You can take each square and use it for a writing project or for a science fair project. There are so many different applications.
I hope this idea sparks new and creative ways for you to become organized this year. I now feel like I am driving the train instead of missing it! I hope this helps and I’d love to hear ways that work for you. We moms are in this together and if I can do it, so can you!
Felice Gerwitz is a serial entrepreneur and runs Media Angels, Inc., as well as hosting several weekly podcasts: Vintage Homeschool Moms and A Few Minutes with God, and one monthly podcast: Creation Science Podcast. Felice loves to connect on social media or send her an email at Felice (at) MediaAngels.com.
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Jeannette is a wife, mother and homeschooling mom. She has been mightily, saved by grace and is grateful for God’s sovereignty throughout her life’s journey. She has a Bachelor in English Education and her MBA. Jeannette is bi-lingual and currently lives in the Tongan Islands of the South Pacific. She posts daily freebies for homeschoolers!
