Happy FRI-YAY!
TGIF, am I right?? This week went by crazy slow. I was sitting in my desk silently praying that this day would get here on like Monday afternoon. Idk, it’s been a task.
Anyways, today I want to talk about how I organize all my calendars. I use several versions of calendars and planners to keep my tasks and my life organized. I have a Google Calendar, a planner, and a wall calendar. I use all three.
Let’s start with the Google Calendars.
I use Google Calendars to keep my work (work being my full-time job) and my husband organized. Basically anyone who needs to see what I’m doing when, so all of these are shared. I have a shared calendar with Hubbs for events. This one is color-coded for events by participant. One color for events I am attending, one color for his events, and one for places we both need to be. Easy.
If we make plans with a friend–it goes on the calendar. If I RSVP for a wedding, it goes on the calendar so he knows not to plan something that day.
For work, I have a separate calendar associated with my work email so that people won’t schedule meetings when I’m already in a meeting or at an appointment. My biggest pet peeve in the ENTIRE world, is when people schedule things without checking my calendar. This actually happens often, so I have to go for a lot of “walks” to blow off steam, but in a perfect world everyone would use calendars.
Ok that’s Google.
So I also have a wall calendar in my home office with events. It’s just a white board calendar that I update month by month. This is just a reminder of where I have to be and when. No real specifics but it helps me plan content based on my events. Examples include: appointments, birthday parties, trips, blogging events, weddings, etc.
These events are included on my other calendars, but I like to have it on the wall in front of my face while I work. Idk… I’m a little psychotic.
Finally, let’s chat about my physical planner. I use this to plan content and to-do lists. I use this as my editorial calendar and take my planner with me everywhere. I plan out my content on the weekly layouts. I write down the topic I plan to post AT LEAST a week in advance so I can work on content ahead of time. If it’s a seasonal post or a post around an event, I go ahead and plan those out throughout the year. I also *try* to plan out Instagram photos, and other content-related things.
I also use the days layout as TA-DA lists. If I need to send an updated media kit or follow up an email, I put it on the day I need to do that. If I think of something I need to do that day, I go ahead and add it to my list for that day. I also plan when I take trainings, block off time for editing, etc.
Finally, I add notes with my content ideas (example: if I want to talk about 5 beauty products you need this spring, I make a list of the 5 products I’m going to feature.) If I have ideas of photos that will go with this post I go ahead and write those too. If I know which outfits I need for a specific event or post, I go ahead and plan these out too.
A little over the top, but this book is my entire life. My blog life anyway.
How do you use your calendars? Do you have more than 1?
Love this! Calendars are something I need to take more advantage of (I only recently just started using 365 Outlook calendar and its been so useful already)!
I’m kinda like you! I’m trying to be better about Google Calendar because I now work home part time and in the office part time so anything I can put on the cloud the better. But it’s hard when you’re been a paper/wall calendar person for so long
I just use the Windows 10 calendar and have thought about switching to Google calendars because that is more easily accessible via mobile. I enjoyed reading your calendar tips!
I like your tips. I need to figure out the best way to use all of my calendars. I’m always overbooking things or forgetting to schedule blog posts.
I wish I could get more into using Google Calendar…but I just can’t. I have to have everything on paper…so Iiterally have 3 planners. LOL!
I love that whiteboard calendar! I definitely think I need something like that, it would be so convenient!
I am with you! I love the tech, but my physical planner is where all the magic and consolidation REALLY happens 😀
I neeeeeded this post! It’s so good to see what works for others because I’m constantly experimenting with my own organization. I have 2 planners right now and would love a white board/google calendar even more! I’m pinning this for later. 🙂
I use Google Calendars at work too–but also personally for me and my husband. I also use a pen and paper planner for planning out photo shoots and blog posts!
I have literally 4 calendars…it’s nuts! Ha! I have a separate one for general life and blog life, then a big desk one and white board one, as well!
I had a planner and my phone and I kept forgetting my planner when I’d need it. I really need to start using it again.
So this is super funny, my Google calendar has become my life!! I never used to be an electronic calendar person, but ever since I started using one for work, I like having everything synced onto one space.