Sunday Geek Gear Post 1

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

My mother clings to this verse as she constantly reminds me that she "raised [me] better than that."  She did her best, but she's only as good as the raw material she's been given.  When it comes to organization, she needs to pray that the "when he is old" clause in the proverb will kick in before I approach Methuselah's years.

I thought that I would use Sunday to point out accouterments that allow me to function despite my lack of innate organizing skills.  I should point out that I'm not a paid endorser of any of these items, but I'd be willing to be if someone offered.

I love 3x5 cards,  They're convenient for taking notes during meetings, keeping daily to-do lists, and organizing larger projects.  I use this Renaissance Art Leather Card Case.  I can put cards on both sides; one side has blank cards to write notes or keep track of kids who are absent or who didn't do an assignment that I'm grading for a completion grade.  Also, I am getting to the age that forces me to write stuff down, or I forget; so I keep random notes on this side.

The other side contains cards with reminders of what I want to do in each class or a list of "must-do" tasks.  The best part about these cards is the feeling that I get when I tear up one because everything on it is completed or the school day is over.

The card case also has an inner packet that holds between 10 to 12 extra cards

I try to color code cards as well.  I use white cards for note taking, a melon colored card for tasks that I should do at home, buff colored card for work tasks, and a green card for errands that require me to spend money.  When I'm ambitious, I print off cards from DIY Planner. I use the 4-up version and a paper cutter.  When I'm not, I buy non-neon packs of assorted-colored cards.

I'm not organized; I still have to sweat dozens of details that I shouldn't, but this piece of equipment allows me to function and get the really important stuff done.