My Calendar: Due Dates

My to-do list usually looks like a big jumble of stream-of-consciousness tasks. On any given day it might say do laundry, make teacher gifts, return library books, make pie for ward party, and find a violin piece for Sam to play in church. A couple of those tasks might need to be done today, but most of them aren't pressing. The problem is, I look through my list and think, "I'll get started on teacher gifts," but I still have a week to finish those and the next thing I know, I owe a fine at the library and the boys have no clean socks!

I'm trying something new.

(I am the first to admit, this isn't rocket science. I'm sure I'm not the first person to ever think of this.)

I took a blank calendar page and filled in dates beginning with today. Instead of writing everything I have to do on one jumbled list, I wrote each on the day that it needs to be completed (the due date, if you will). Now I can look at the calendar and work on things in a sensible order. This morning I'll make pumpkin cupcakes with cream cheese frosting for Jeff's Pscychology Department Holiday Party. The recipe makes a ton so I'll save enough for the violin recital tomorrow - they're better the next day anyway and I will have killed two birds with one stone. :) I'll still tackle teacher gifts well before next Thursday, but at least I won't neglect the things that need to be done in the meantime.

I hope it works!

Now, if you'll please excuse me, I have to go make some Visiting Teaching gifts. I need them in an hour!

{If you have a great method of keeping things straight, please share in the comments.}