Tell me if this sounds familiar: You like keeping busy. You make plans with several people for the same day. You're always running around to meet so-and-so, to run such-and-such and errand. You don't want to miss the new art exhibit at the MFA or the new flick in theaters. You had a palm pilot once, but you lost it or stopped using it for some reason. Your room is filled with unopened or half-filled calendars. In spite of your best intentions, things slip your mind, pieces fall through the cracks, and there's always more to get done. In your head, you know you can get organized, you're just not sure how.

Well take it from one who understands: I am here to help!

To start, if you're not already prone to procrastination, pick up one of the books below to read WHILE you get organized. Don't sit down, read the whole thing, and think you're getting anything done-you're avoiding the task at hand. Come on, you can do it!

How do you keep your plates? Do you have cupboards or racks? Are they by color or by size? Sorry, enough with the metaphor. But here are options for the differently minded people out there:

ONE DEVICE TO RULE THEM ALL...

So you need all your eggs in one basket, as it were. I have two suggestions: #1: a palm pilot or some other organizational handheld device. Palm Pilots are a bit dated at this point, but nowadays we have the iPhone, sidekicks, blackjacks, blackberries, raspberries... find which one suits you. This is really important: If you're going to be relying on just one thing, you'd better pick one you like. Something that feels comfortable, is easy for you to carry around, and simple enough for you to use. This way you'll have your calendar, your address book, your to-do lists and reminders all together in one little package. This brings us to option #2: your own computer. Yes, most computers have calendar applications as well as address books and ways to keep our schedules managed and under control. Some computers even have little post it note widgets that pop up on your dashboard to remind you of what you have coming up today. This is good for the person who doesn't do clutter, who likes consistency and needs everything right there in one place, easily accessible. But heed this warning: SAVE OFTEN and BACK UP YOUR FILES!!! You never want to be in a position where your entire life (for all intents and purposes) crashes in a hard-drive wiping catastrophy.

SHARE THE LOAD

Thinly veiled Lord of the Rings references aside, this is the tactic that I employ. Organizational delegation is for those of us who want a phone, a camera, and a music player: not one that does all three. Some don't understand us, but we believe each thing has it's purpose. So here's what you need:

• A composition book. Basic, not spiral-bound notebook. This will manage your to-dos: Every day you write the date on the head of the page and start writing errands down with little boxes next to them (i.e.: pick up prescriptions, buy milk, call mom). No matter how mundane or easy to remember, write it down. The minute you finish, put a big fat x through the box. How great does that feel? This helps you keep it in perspective because while there are always new items being added, you can flip back through pages and pages all x'd off, symbolizing everything you've gotten done. Very encouraging!
• Address book. A real, old fashioned, with little abc tabs address book. Find something in a size you're comfortable with, that has enough room for you to write everything you need in it, and that's aesthetically pleasing to you (I like the museum gift store address books myself, you might be a plain black sorta person).
• Calendar. Some people want a small 3 1/2x5 inch sorta thing, some people like a full-size model. Again, sort through aesthetics and comfort factors, and STICK TO IT. First thing: Go through the pages that are complete months and write in any big things (i.e. dad's birthday, pay day, vacations). Then, every time you make a plan, you write it down. The best thing would be to get one where it splits up your day by hours so you can really control the schedule: Coffee with John at 5:30. Dinner at the Pour House at 6:15. For things without time of day constraints, just put a star next to them on their appropriate day: *Email Dr. Morris. The most important part of all: make sure you schedule free time. Seeing all those empty blocks between your plans is liberating: During this time I'll clean my room. Here, I'll watch the movie I just bought. Here I'll give myself a manicure. This way you start to see your day in a more compartmentalized way which makes it all less overwhelming and easier to maintain, while allowing you personal time to do with as you please.
• Finally, you probably want a purse to keep all this stuff in, or a briefcase for you guys. Actually, man-purses (or "murses," if you will) are all the rage these days, so pick up a messenger bag or unisex shoulder bag sorta thing. My brother loves them and he's quite the trendsetter...

Save the Environment!

Your environment, that is. The factor that will help you succeed or fail in your organizational endeavors is the state of your room/office and that of your mind/body. Take steps to keep your life free of clutter and trash, pick up after yourself, put your things away. It's important for everything to have a place, so you know where to find things. Don't work in your bed, bed is for sex and sleeping. Period. Keeping your brain calm and organized is pretty easy. Find a routine that works for you, i.e.: wake up at 7:45, snooze for 5 minutes, take vitamins, 50 crunches, 5 minute meditation, brew coffee, shower, drink coffee. Or whatever works for you. But you'll be shocked at how easy it is to train your brain. The more consistent your life becomes, the less you have to stress about what comes next because you'll be conditioned to do it naturally.

Basically... stay healthy inside and out. Set goals and hold yourself accountable to achieve them. But MOST IMPORTANTLY, you have to realize that shit happens and you can't plan for everything. Allowing for some flexibility in your plans is the key: Having plans helps to keep you focused and looking forward, but the only way you'll be happy is if you can accept change and new opportunities that come along. And they will. So happy spinning, and don't stress: If one plate falls, let it go. There's no reason to drop everything else for one slip-up, the mess ends up being even bigger. Believe me.

Is this a helpful hub? I'm trying to share personal experience and things that have worked for me in the past, is this advice relevant or not? Please let me know what you think! Thanks.