Keeping track.

Write It Down!

“A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days…A schedule is a mock-up of reason and order—willed, faked, and so brought into being.” Annie Dillard

I’m one of those weird people who, even though I have a fancy cell phone with a handy-dandy calendar, prefer to write my schedule into a day book. When I was a working woman, it was the zip-up kind that holds all your addresses and phone numbers, notes to self, lists of to-dos, and such. Now it’s just a little week-at-a glance thing that fits into a pocket of my purse. I am so forgetful, and always have been, that if I don’t write it down, it’s gone.

Keeping a calendar is not the only thing I have to do to stay on track. I make lists and sometimes, leave them at home. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stood in the middle of the cereal aisle, looking up to the rafters, trying to remember what was on my list. I know people think I’m hearing voices. Never the less, if I have made the list, even when I leave it at home, I’m more likely to remember than when I haven’t.

Any effort to simplify life should include keeping a calendar and making lists. We have far too many distractions now to leave our time to chance, and gazing at the rafters is a waste of time. Even retired people, whom everyone thinks have nothing to do, need to be organized about that ‘nothingness’. I have a friend who has twice retired and now is busier than ever. Fitting all her projects, meetings and grandkid-outings into a week is a true juggling act. Used to be, she went to work and, at the end of the day, went home—piece of cake. Now, if I can schedule to walk with her once a week, I feel privileged.

Making lists and keeping a calendar may seem to be the opposite of simplifying life, but in reality, they save time and effort. Once you have written it down, whether ‘it’ is a board meeting, or eggs and coffee, you don’t have to give it another thought. Your mind is freed up for more important things—like creative ideas and dreams.

Keeping it simple,
Jane