So, after a major gutting and overhauling of one apartment and a minor makeover of a second apartment, we got the tenants in and went to help Chuck’s brother with a flip house project he was working on.  Oh, did I mention that excavation and stone spreading was also being done at the same time for the boat and RV storage and the future storage area for the lumber?      

After all that work, it was planting season at the homestead.  The gardens went in after being rearranged due to the additional areas needed for maneuvering equipment at the mill.  In addition to that, vacation rental season began and we had guests checking in and out at various times at Whitetail Cottage.  Chuck was also busy building the firewood storage shed.

All this was happening while we continued on other business ventures, dealt with daily farm activities such as milking goats, feeding, collecting eggs, beekeeping, etc., and I continued to run my analytical business. 

The biggest frustration I had was in organizing everything.  I searched for some way for us to organize our activities in the most effective manner.  I thought about doing it electronically, but our area has spotty service and is so unreliable that it seemed like we would be constantly double checking an electronic device that we couldn’t trust. So, we opted for putting everything in written form.  I tried the monthly plan with everything written on one paper outlining the month.  This was not good.  Too many entries.  I tried the weekly plan and delineating each activity by a code.  Yet again, not good.  Too confusing.  Finally, I decided to go with a weekly plan, but have each venture listed on a single line and the activities for that venture listed under each day.  I would also include one line for personal schedules such as doctor or dentist appointments, social events, birthdays, etc.  This type of scheduling system is most similar to a teacher’s planner calendar where subjects are listed and each day’s plans are listed under the date. 

Off to the office supply store I went.  However, teacher’s planners, as I quickly learned, did not incorporate weekend days.  I found an executive’s weekly planner which was exactly what I was looking for.  The problem was it cost $57, and I was not paying $57 for 52 pieces of paper and a binder!  No way, no how. (Yes, I pinch pennies until they squeal).  I finally was led to the decision to make my own calendar to schedule our activities.   

Our calendar broadly lists each of the business ventures down the left column.  The last line is labeled “Personal” for non-business scheduled events.   Under each day I list the time when a critical event must be done.  Daily and regular business activities are not listed.  This calendar is mainly so we can plan ahead and know where we need to be each day and at what time so we don’t miss any appointments.  Things we list include check in times for the vacation rental, meetings with lumber buyers, delivery times for firewood, client meetings, birthday parties, goat due dates, and so on.  To date this seems like it will be the easiest method for controlling our hectic lives.  In case you are wondering why I categorize the ventures, it’s because each of these activities involves keeping track of equipment, some sort of preparation work, or coordinating people.  For example, vacation rental check-ins require preplanning.  The property must be cleaned, the lawn mowed, and things ready for the guests.  Firewood deliveries involve making sure the wood is loaded on the trailer and that the trailer isn’t being used somewhere else.  Even client meetings mean making sure files are printed and meeting locations are scheduled and confirmed. 

The last column on the calendar is for critical items for the week, but not necessarily within a specific day or time frame for the week.  I will list items such as garden seeds that need planted during that week or a goat we need to breed that week or a follow up to a specific client that needs to happen during the week. 

I believe my calendar could be useful to others who have hectic planning schedules, so I’m sharing a blank copy.  How about coordinating children’s or other relative’s schedules?  Coordinating big goals and milestones for achieving those goals?  Coordinating chores, work, and personal activities? 

I am also saving you $57, but you don’t need to thank me now.  My birthday is in February…go ahead and mark it on your new calendar so you don’t forget my gift!  (ha ha). 

If you have a great way of organizing, I’d love to hear about it.  Shoot me a line.  My email is pmh@pa.net.  I am always looking for better ways of doing things and would love to hear how you keep your life in order. 

Click here for a blank calendar copy.   Please note:  depending on your printer settings, you may need to change to “landscape” orientation in order to print to the entire page.