Sometimes I’m a little late to the party. If you already use Google Calendar, this post is probably not for you. If, on the other hand, you are an obsessive list maker/planner and you do not use Google Calendar, read up.
This week my husband started using Google Calendar to better organize his time at work and home. He added me to his calendar so that I could schedule in all of our social engagements and know when to expect him home/free. As I started adding our upcoming obligations, I realized I needed this calendar, too.
My calendar in progress… Still playing with how much to add, but nice to at least have must-dos in front of me and a place to combine all my lists.
Google Calendar is amazing. You can simultaneously look at multiple people’s calendars, (when they share with you), and you can color code everything, (a great way to visually get a sense of how you spend your time). For years, I have kept separate lists/calendars for home and work, and something about Outlook has never really translated for me, (especially since I don’t have it on my home computer or phone). Google Calendar, on the other hand, works easily everywhere– on any computer or device with internet access, and it’s free.
Had to share because much like Gretchen Rubin in the Happiness Project, I believe efficient and organized time use cuts out a lot of frustration and wasted energy trying to keep track of everything, (which leaves more time for the good stuff, like actually writing).
Happy Saturday and happy organizing!
oliviaobryon 
Love the google calendar. I’m trying to get my work peeps to sign on so we can sync our schedules and so everyone can see by color when a particular room is being used.
That’s a great idea to color code the rooms! So many possibilities 🙂
I don’t think I would survive at work without my Microsoft Outlook calendar, especially since I do a lot of scheduling for my bosses. I’ve been in an office that uses Google Calendar as well, they are both life savers!
Yes, Outlook has been crucial for every job I’ve had since college too– it has just never helped me organize my post-work life. Happy for an easy solution!
I remember how excited I was as a ‘professional’ to get a desk calendar/planning book. “This will be great!” I said. “It will help me keep track of all the stuff I need to do.”
That lasted about a week, or until it got lost beneath the mountain of paperwork that is my desk. I guess the good thing about Google calendar is you can’t lose it on your desk, and you can have it send you annoying reminders that you’re supposed to be doing something else right now, but I confess I’m still not a good user of organizers. I always forget to put things on them, or, more likely, I just forget to check the calendar at the beginning of the day.
So funny how all our brains work differently. I always keep 100 lists floating around my desks, but lately I’ve started emailing myself. I’m hopeful this will help get me organized. I’m most excited to use it on my breaks– my free time is so valuable for writing, I hate to waste it.