Two weekends ago I attended a phenomenal Women's Conference. One of the concepts from the keynote speaker was about calendaring. On the surface, calendaring, appears like a simple concept, so simple in fact that perhaps a lot of people disregard it. Her simple suggestions were ones which I have followed for years and have definitely benefited from. She suggested you and your partner set some time aside for a couples’ counsel meeting at the end or beginning of a month. In this meeting you take a blank month calendar, paper or digital and then fill in the spaces with the priorities and events happening that month. You can print out a calendar or places like Kmart stock a number of calendar pads that are just as easy to use.
Items you could include on your calendar include, date night, home maintenance, kids activities, meetings, social engagements, birthdays, anniversaries, cultural celebrations, religious events, medical appointment and the list goes on. I usually take my diary and transfer the items I have in there onto the monthly calendar and hubby does the same with his digital calendar. This way we are both on the same page about what is happening. Your planning meeting doesn’t need to go very long but if you want to make it special, consider a plate of treats or dessert or perhaps watch a movie together afterwards if time allows.
In our home, the calendar is on our fridge although that is simply because of function rather than form. I do appreciate ‘home command centres’ which combine the calendar and other essential planning tools. My husband loves the digital calendar whilst I still favour the paper one. The point however is that it doesn’t really matter how you structure your calendar, as long as the details are on there. Also, don’t get lost in making it so pretty that the function is missed.
Calendaring is essential but none more so than with a family, when you have competing priorities and schedules. That’s when the calendar can look more complex but you could try colours for each person or break it down to a weekly calendar table where each person gets a row.
However you choose to do it, just try. You may need to adapt it but that’s totally fine. If you’re not a calendar regular, give it a go and see how your life is impacted by having a clear schedule and a focused plan.
This time of year can get very busy with end of year events and festive celebrations. Consider doing a planning meeting with your partner at the end of November, feel free to use the attached calendar template, discuss what is happening, write everything onto the calendar then, if it’s paper, take a photo and send it to your partner. That way, you can refer to it even when you’re not are home. Place your calendar in a place you can see it each day, like the fridge. Check it before you go to bed so you know what is happening and check it when you get up. You don’t want any surprises.
Let me know how you go with a December calendar. If you can tackle December, then you can probably tackle any month. I’d love to hear about your successes and if it didn’t work for you, how can you tweak it to make it a success?
Benjamin Franklin said, “Success is the residue of planning”. There is no luck here but with a carefully constructed and executed calendar, you will find success.
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