Comments on: WFMW: Plan, prepare, organize. Then, embrace the chaos

By: Dick

Dick — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:04:35 +0000

I'm starting to use 37 Signals' Tada Lists again. They are super-usable, drag-and-drop lists. Google also has a tasks widget that you can drag to your customized Google home page. As far as goal tracking, Spark People has an excellent goal tracking tool, even though the focus of their site is more on tracking food. I once tried Stephen Covey's Plan Plus software, but it didn't quite do it for me (kind of went the way of the day planner). Then I switched to gmail, so the Outlook integration was no longer appealing. I find that having a helpful, supportive spouse is the best way to reach your goals. My wife is like my personal coach/trainer, who doesn't let me lay on the couch or sit at the computer doing nothing. She encourages me to be better. I know, because when she's gone, I tend to laze around unproductively. I think we like goals because they give us, however elusive, the idea that we're progressing in life.

By: Marie

Marie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 20:10:50 +0000

I think there should definitely be a balance between order and chaos. I make a list of meals each week and shop accordingly, but I don’t set the meals for specific days. I just make what I feel like each night. And sometimes I’ll be too tired to make dinner, so we’ll have spaghettios or something and I’ll bump that meal to the next week. No need to be rigid about it.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:23:11 +0000

LOL me and the Flylady had a falling out. Im just too busy to be organized. LOL Currently my home is filled with to do lists and plans not one is being used.

By: Mamabug

Mamabug — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:18:38 +0000

I just downloaded the daily planner from motivatedmoms.com and it is simplifying my to do list in some ways but I still don’t get the list checked off. It is hard not to feel like I failed and be happy with just something done off the list. I am kind of a “all or nothing” kinda person. I sure hope this builds character in me.

By: Britni

Britni — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:23:47 +0000

I do the same thing. Sometimes I think that if I stopped making lists and trying to plan out my life I might get something done. Hmm I think trying to plan things out is much more fun than actually doing the things I plan.

By: Marcy

Marcy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:16:36 +0000

I just feel better knowing that if I don’t feel like trying any new recipes and can’t think what to make the next day all I have to do is look at my list of things to make and go in order. Anything to keep me from having to think every time I go shopping!

By: Tracy

Tracy — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:11:04 +0000

I love planning. Each new year I buy myself a brand spankin’ new leather bound day planner and SO enjoy layng out my day. I admire your thoroughness!!
Even if it doesn’t all happen, you approach each day as though you’ve got the world by the tail!

By: Adrianne

Adrianne — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 14:08:20 +0000

I make lists too and only sometimes follow them too. For me it’s all just about trying to be more organized and those lists are a start. Some day I will use them effectively and be totally organized.

By: Marcia Francois

Marcia Francois — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:26:57 +0000

Great post!

It’s all about the plan!