[ use that calendar! ]

If you're like me, you sometimes have what I call "moments of realization." That's when I get an all-over sick feeling because I suddenly (or gradually) realize that I have TONS to do in the next few days/weeks. The Christmas moment of realization hit me two days ago when I got an email from my boss about a project. What do YOU do when faced with overwhelming-ness? Everyone reacts differently - some jump into immediate high-activity mode and others curl up on the couch and watch TV. Because of what I've learned from teaching Cut the Crazy for years, I reach for my calendar.

Using your calendar is an easy but important step in planning for the holidays. I mean REALLY rely on your calendar for the next six weeks. Organizing on paper is extra important right now, and it starts with a detailed calendar.

Here's what you do. Sometime before the weekend I want you to follow these steps:


1. Get a December calendar - not your real calendar yet, just a copy of a December calendar that you can write on, erase, and edit. It's easy to print one from the internet - I always go to a website called Printfree.com. I click on Monthly Calendars and print the Dec. 2011 vertical calendar. Or, if you want to do some good planning for November too, click on the 2-Month Vertical Calendar for Nov./Dec. 2011.


2. Fill the calendar with all the activities you know you have in December. If you have kids in school, include their school activities. If you plan to go to a theater production such as The Nutcracker or A Christmas Carol, find out the date and time and write it down. Include things you do each month, such as Book Club or dinner with friends. If things haven't been scheduled - for example the office party or a family party, do what you can to get someone to decide on the date and time. Be sure to include your everyday-life events  too like carpools and work schedules. I'm going to be nailing down deadlines at work and writing those on my calendar too. 


3. Think about the things you do each year - your holiday traditions. Because of what you did in step #2, you know what you HAVE to do and when, so now use your calendar to schedule the things you WANT to do. If there's an open Saturday, you could write down "go sledding" or "bake cookies."  Maybe you have a tradition to take a special gift to grandparents or friends - put those things on the calendar. 


4. Work on your calendar until you have a good idea of what's happening in December. Transfer the info to your real calendar or planner. You'll find that this exercise will help calm that frantic, chaotic feeling in your mind. You know what you have to do, and you can begin to plan for it.