5 Tips for Calendar Management

Sticking to a schedule is necessary for productivity, and how can one remember a schedule without a calendar? Yet, an unorganized calendar is as ineffective as having no calendar at all. While everyone visualizes information differently, there are five tips that every calendar style can benefit from:

1. Keep it simple

It doesn't matter what tricks you use to organize your calendar if you don't keep it simple. Flooding each box with wordy sentences or flashy reminders will drown out the important information. If you cannot tell at a glance everything you need to do, you need to simplify your calendar layout.

2. Color code events

It's time to put those High School highlighters to good use. A great way to cut down on the word count of the calendar is to connect events to color. Color coding works best for events that happen regularly in your schedule. Remember to attribute each color to only one event; if yellow means going to the gym, yellow only means going to the gym. Alternatively, you can assign colors based on the importance of the task. Regardless, keep in mind to put the legend at the bottom of the page.

3. Emphasize unique events

One of the biggest problems with calendars is that unique events can get buried under the dozen regular events always listed on the schedule. Since uncommon events aren't in your normal schedule, you will find you are more likely to forget them. It is especially easy to forget them if they cannot be distinguished from your standard routine on the calendar.

Do whatever you can to make the event stand out from the rest; circle it, put a sticker next to it, draw a doodle -- anything that focuses your eyes on it.

4. Place it somewhere you always go

Another major problem with calendars is that people place them where they don't typically look; having a calendar will do you no favors if you can walk past it without seeing it.

Think about when you want to view your calendar and think of the places you always visit during those times. For example, before going to school, you go to your closet and walk out the front door; try putting the calendar by one of those spots. Remember, a calendar can double as decoration; there are plenty of designs that add style to your room.

5. Make it a habit to view it

Good habits can be difficult to build, but they are helpful. Remembering to look at your calendar before you start your day is good because it helps you mentally prepare for what your day will bring; it is also important to look at it once your day is over.

A useful exercise is to cross off your calendar once you have finished your work; it allows you to take a final look at your schedule before the day is over while also creating a sense of accomplishment.

With these tips, you can manage your schedule better and overcome any time-related deadlines. Just remember that building a calendar system requires experimentation with these tips until you find a system that is right for you; if you can understand your system, it works.