I sometimes get asked how to plan ahead on a paper calendar or electronic scheduler. I am sure this is an issue for everyone.

Sometimes we have things we need to do so far into the future, we cannot put it on our current calendar, right? Wrong!

For example, you recently got your colonoscopy and will need another one in 10 years. You need to review your Will, Power of Attorney, etc. every few years. You need to change your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide protectors in your home every 10 years. How are you supposed to remember that?!?!

Typically, if you use a paper planner, you might not be able to add something to your calendar for 10 years out.

However, if you use a binder-style planner such as Day-Timer or Circa you could use a to-do list (or just a blank note page) to capture all these future to-dos and carry that list forward, year after year. At the beginning of each year, you could add any relevant items from that list to the upcoming year’s calendar.

I do the same thing with my annual wall calendar in my office. I make notes at the bottom in the Notes section and each year, when I am preparing for the New Year, I carry those notes over to the next year so that I don't miss a deadline to pay my quarterly taxes, renew a certification or a domain name, etc. You can do the same thing.

You simply need to jot it down on your calendar to begin with and then carry it forward year after year.

As a professional organizer, I provide many other tips and tricks just like this one to create an efficient and effective time management system that you can easily implement.

If you would like to learn more about how to make the best use of your time and get your tasks completed, contact me.

As always, I am here to help.