Best tips for organisation

My husband and I have a calendar on our fridge. A week in advance, we each pick a couple of nights to cook. It really takes the pressure off us because we know when the other person's got it covered. 

It will be interested to read your other replies and maybe pick up some good ideas! Good thread. 

Im a big list maker !! I find if i think of something that i need to do or someone to call, i write it all down. that way i know where i am in what i still need to do and i dont feel so overwhelmed by it all. like janecav I also meal plan. On a sunday night we write our menu as a family for the week and make a shopping list of what we will need. We only shop with a list to limit our spending even though i swear food keeps getting more and more expensive!!! I also bought myself a massive filing cabinet which has definantly helped with the mess factor, but im still working on my ' file as i go' system. I tend to make a big pile and then about once a month i will file it all accordingly. I have different cork boards in our office ( one for home bills, and a different one for each of our properties) that helps to seperate out all the mail / paper for them.

I have a folder for just about everything, properties i have looked at, properties I have put offers in on, properties I own, finance info etc... all up I probably have 12 folders which don't all fit in their rack. Not to mention all the different folders I have on my computer.

I also have a corkboard/whiteboard I keep the monthly calendar on the corkboard and then I have drawn a weekly plan on the whiteboard and update it every week and as things pop up. 

I find I use many similar systems to those who have posted previously. Perhaps not a lot to add but I liked the topic and couldnt resist. My filing cabinet is a little out of date and needs some re-organisation but I use lists all the time, probably my number one organising system. I also have a number of folders for bills and paperwork that I have dealt with recently and a weekly planner that I find I need to update regularly for it to work and be useful. I definitely find writing things down as I think of them (lists) and then making time to sit down and look at things and organise my time is a big factor for me. Interested in what works for everyone else.

Tom.

Totally agree with writing things down. Thanks for the reminder about using a diary - a tool I have never been that enthusiastic about until recently. Research shows that people tend to remember things better if they write them down as compares to typing on a keyboard. I still use my phone to remind me but unless I use the alarm function I do tend to forget. Written information is also the best way (in my opinion) to remember study materials - hence why we did that so much at school. I must say that organisation has not been a strong point for me in the past but this course has helped me to put some focus into it to ensure I spend time on the materials and get things done.

I use most of the above, but I have found that a daily 'to do" list on my phone is a great reminder at the beginning of each day.  Stops me walking out the door without some salient folder or doc.  Also use Dropbox to transfer docs between my computer/laptop/phone etc.  Love this app !
Cheers, Lee
Merry Christmas to all. x

One piece of advice I received which I love is before going to bed write down 3 "must do" things for the next day, these are your not negotiables. helps keep your day on track. I could not live without outlook and my Outlook Calendar, which keeps all appointments and schedules in one place, my husband sends me his also and they are all colour coded for actions required, its a must with 3 Children and busy after school activities etc. I also love Lists :) Meal planing and to do are my top two. Simone 

I'm a big fan of lists and I use 'Task Pro' on the iPad and iPhone. Because the two devices are 'synced' I can update either and the master list in the cloud is changed. It means I've always got my lists with me and they can be set with due dates and alerts that pop up. Truly fantastic app! Simple, but allows you to 'nest' tasks as you see fit.

After reading a chapter in module 4 about organisation I decided to convert all my property investing info to drop box. I now have the folder on every computer I need and have access to the info when ever I need it.

I have seperated it out into a folder for every property and then subfolders for the different stages I.e- Prepurchase, before and after reno photos, operating - lease agreements, latest valuations, latest rental appraisals etc.

I have also reorganised my email and "printed to file" all the relevant info that I have needed and saved those in the right folder in drop box too.

The other benefit is that when I do a joint venture all I have to do is share that one particular folder with the other party and they immediately have all the info on hand too which is automatically updated when either of us adds to it. 

Hey all,
Thanks for the posts, this has definitley inspired me to get my 'unorganised life' organised. It is great hanging around like minded people'
Cheers!!

May I ask why pay for DropBox instead of using SkyDrive and/or GoogleDocs?

I write a daily tasks list the night before, keep a small paper diary for appointments, must do stuff and financial dates of paymentsetc. If I don't get everything done, it is not forgotten but kept on a list for reallocation.

i cook large quantities and freeze in meal size portions - great for single people or if coming and going. I eat vegie soups, lentils dahl a lot in winter - inexpensive, nutritious and easy to freeze/defrost. In summer, salads are fast to make.  I keep easy healthy foods on hand, like canned fish, eggs, fruit and vegies.

regsrding exercise, I gym or walk, I no longer argue with myself re if I am too tired, I just put on the right shoes and go. I plan only 20 minute walk and 30 minute gym, so less excuses re not having time.

I also try to "meditate" twice a day by lying down for five minutes and deep breathing and trying to relax. If I find it is not relaxing me enough, I have a twenty minute tape I like which helps train you to release tension.

it is so important to look after your health too whole being busy and taking on new challenges.

i have one filing cabinet drawer of stuff like house insurance, all clearly labelled alphabetically and put new stuff at the back of the folder so it is in the right order for hauling out and culling or filing later.  I have a box of " old stuff" that needs retaining for tax etc all in one place.  I keep ring binders with clearly labels stuck on to the front and the spine. I try to keep subjects colour coded but that is a bit out of kilter right now. 

I also periodically "clear clutter" and try not to have an excess of built up stuff, eg I haul off a few bags of clothes, bric a brac and books to the op shop every 6 or 12 months. On my computer or phone, if I see stuff I don't need to use any more, I immediately delete it.

i am still not as organised as I would like to be, but getting systems going, sure has helped. Have Manila folders of incoming stuff like bills etc that need to be dealt with.