Photo by: cambodia4kidsorg

From the stay-at-home mom to the CEO of a large corporation, the daily schedule can become the dark shadow that hangs over an otherwise beautiful day. Schedules suck, yet they exist. You might even say that you don’t have a schedule, but I’d disagree. A schedule doesn’t need to be written on paper.

So what makes a schedule, well, a schedule?

Your day-to-day necessities.

Let’s say you’re the biggest bum in the world. You wake up around noon, eat, watch TV, take a nap, eat some more, preform cleansing duties (shower, brush your teeth, etc.), and end the day by going to bed. Guess what, that is a schedule. Not a difficult one, but it fits the description nonetheless.

And, like I said, my example doesn’t represent a difficult schedule. So what happens when your schedule starts to get complex? How do you handle it?

It’s time to buy a planner.

Are you an entrepreneur or live like one? Spend the money, buy a luxury planner, and use it. This is especially useful for those that run a hectic business lifestyle. Many planners allow you to list your day by the hour, or half hour.

Is your life a little more family oriented? Get a family calendar. You can make one yourself or buy them at the store. These calendars allow you to plan your day as your family requires it. Each row offers you, your significant other, or your child a place to list their appointments for the day or week. With everyone’s schedule next to each other, you can easily organize your day.

Are you a 9-5 employee? A simple calendar might be all you need. Use each day to write the hours you work, your off days, and any other tidbits that might come up. It doesn’t hurt to keep track of how much time you spend at work, and a calendar will allow you to keep track without a hassle.

Are you somewhere in between? Write down what you do in the average day. How long is that list? The kind of calendar or planner you’ll need will depend on the its length. If you have a complex schedule, you might feel more comfortable with a larger planner system. If you find your list to be short and sweet, a simple calendar might get you through the day. If you’re not sure, shop around. Take a look at what your local store has to offer and take the time to figure out what you would feel the most comfortable using.