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Organize your week in an hour (or less)

Is your Monday-to-Friday frantic? Try this plan to smooth out your weekdays — and your nerves.

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Originally published in Today's Parent January 2011

Photo Credit: Jodi Pudge

Where’s that permission form? Why is that soccer uniform dirty? What, the recital is tonight? What on earth am I going to make for lunches today?

Sometimes it feels as if you spend the whole week just putting out fires. There’s a solution. Set aside time on the weekend to target your trouble spots; think of it as a pay-it-forward approach to a better week. “If you dedicate half an hour on Sundays to planning your week, you will own your life and take control of it — to the extent that you can control things,” says Joanne Lalonde Hayes, a Montreal time-management expert, and publisher and author of the More Time Moms Family Organizer and the newly released More Time Moms Family Meals. And once a Sunday prep session becomes part of your routine, the more organized you’ll be and the less time it will actually take.

We’ve gathered tips for targeting the most common trouble spots — so pick yours and get going!

Conquer the calendar (5 to 25 minutes)

Spend time with your agenda It seems obvious to say “use a calendar,” but I mean really use that thing. Once you can see what’s in store for the week, it’s easier to see what you need to do, from baking for the school fundraiser to picking up birthday gifts.

Customize You can get calendars made especially for families or you can customize a standard one by using different-coloured markers for family members and stickers. On the weekend, make sure everyone’s activities, including lessons, parties, chores, tests and appointments, are in there. “Planning gives you peace of mind. Once you put things to paper, they don’t need to be whirling around in your mind anymore,” says Lalonde Hayes. See below for digital organizing tools.

Work the phones (or email) Arrange carpools and sitters, RSVP for parties, and set up playdates.

Share the plan Encourage family members to use the calendar and ask them to look it over to make sure you aren’t missing anything. Ask the kids to enter items from their school agendas.

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