I’m not sure if everyone is like this or just those who tend to learn and think visually, but ever since the need to be better organized became a priority to me back in college, I’ve leaned heavily on color to help order my world.
It started back them with the purchase of a set of colored pens. I would write in my planner using the different colored pencils to help me make sense of my activities at a glance. Certain subjects had certain colors with which I associated them. It was a way to better make sense and keep track of through a schedule that was increasingly becoming more complex.
Now that my freelance workload is increasing, I’m finding myself even more dependent on the coloring system, and I love how easy it is to accomplish this within my computerized “to do” list. Mind you, my organizational method is fairly unsophisticated, but perhaps something I share will be of help to you.
I probably should mention that among my strengths in the “True Colors” personality system, I rank lowest in gold, which is the color of organization. This won’t come as a great surprise to those who know me best, and yet, if I’m intentional about it, I can have just enough organization in place to make my life work fairly efficiently.
My “To Do” list is composed within a simple Word document, for easy maneuvering of changes. It lists dates like this:
Wednesday, December 15:
And then after the colon, I begin to type out what needs to be accomplished for a given day.
For example, tomorrow’s list looks something like this:
Since my home and work schedule are all on one document, the kids’ special events get their own colors, like this:
Thursday, December 16: 11 a.m., CJ ortho appointment. CJ turns 15!
Thursday, May 26: Beth turns 11!
For some reason, my radio hosting gigs get pink:
Monday, January 17: Real Presence Live show (host).
Speaking of radio, when I prepare my script before each show, I’ll type anything I will be speaking in blue, and that which others will be speaking or additional information in green. Everything else is black, but I definitely need to draw my eye quickly on live radio to the blue words!
And for a color organization geek like me, I’ll have you know that when I had Windows 7 recently installed on my laptop, one of the features that got me most excited were the little sticky notes that are computer generated. These can be placed, as many as needed, on your desktop, and they can change color. Not only this but they are very environment friendly! I tend to use yellow for household tasks and blue or purple for work tasks.
I LOVE thinking of tasks in terms of color. It helps my mind quickly separate urgent priorities from the more low-key, and keeps me on top of things as I balance the demands of a busy household and a full and varied work load.
Q4U What special methods do you use to keep yourself organized?
Wow! I think this type of system is key for anyone who works from home or does any sort of freelance work. Although I would not call myself a “color” person, I wouldn’t be surprised if those of use who don’t think we are really are – we just don’t think about it as you do. This really gives me something to think about. I don’t think I am a visual person, but I don’t know! What a cool post!
I love this idea Roxane! I’m like you. Work load/prjects increasing and I never thought about ussing color. I can’t wait to implement it!
My Mac has Stickies, too. I love it! I mostly use it for inspirational quotes, though.
I use different colored pens and markers when I revise. I designate a color for each kind of edit: purple for plot, orange for characters, green for grammar, etc. It helps me visualize what I need to accomplish; if I have too much exposition somewhere or not enough character development.
I like your idea of using color to prioritize and organize your daily activities!
This, or a variation of it, could be an article for The Forum. Very informative. Finding YOUR way of organizing. I find that I’d rather use colored pocket folders than the regular file folders – boring color – always the same. Oh, and colored pens and pencils – of course!!!!!
Roxane, everyone is NOT like this! I tried color coding once, but I could never remember which color meant what!
Hi All! I realize this post was not as deep-thinking as some I’ve shared here, but it was kind of fun to write about how colors play a role in my organization methods, and I enjoyed reading your responses. Laura, thanks for sharing how you use colors for revision. Very cool! Mary, I remember seeing those colored pens! 🙂
It was nice to see a lighter side of you! I too, use colors. I have different colored files and labels for each category/person/event, etc. I also use colored pens to track my “to do” list. It doesn’t surprise me that we have this in common, friend!
quite interestin. I have resorted to colors in the past. I do like colors, but am not particularly color organized.