The single most important thing you can have to help you organize your life is also one of the least expensive.  It’s a calendar.  You can get them 50% off almost everywhere. (For the more technological among you, a PDA will serve.)

It’s important to get a calendar that will allow you to make notes.  Mine has a 2 page spread for each week.  It’s compact enough to carry around, but large enough for me to make all the notes I need.

Of course, just having a good calendar is only the first step.  Before the beginning of next week, dedicate a few hours to preparing your calendar.  Here are the things you need to enter right now:

• Family birthdays, anniversaries, etc.
• Any appointments that you carried over (doctor, dentist, etc.)
• Holidays and days off work
• Previously scheduled work or school events

Next, enter reminders for things you will need to schedule, including a tax appointment, home maintenance, and medical appointments.  For example, make a note on March 15 to call the air conditioning company to inspect your system.  They don’t need to come until April or May (depending on your climate), but you’ll have a better choice of appointments in March.  Similarly, many medical appointments (like mammograms) typcially schedule at least 2 months out.

Finally, look at your resolutions and make time for them in the calendar before your schedule fills up.    Consider making a list at the beginning of each month’s listing as a reminder of what you’d like to achieve.  That way, you can spread the tasks out throughout the year.

Keeping your plans and goals in front of you will help you stay on track and hold yourself accountable — the first step to getting where you want to be.