It’s a potential tragedy: I’ve lost my datebook.
I strive to keep my life simple. But even though I’m
unemployed, I’ve still managed to book (and sometimes overbook) my time. I’ve
got classes and homework, now that I’m a student again. I have job searching
and networking activities. I have miscellaneous obligations, like doctor’s
appointments, activities with friends and family, and the occasional theater ticket.
In short, I have a regulated, scheduled life. I have to keep
track of it.
Add to this that I am an ardent list maker and planner. I
write down everything I need to do, and set deadlines for myself by adding
items to my calendar. And I write things down because there is so much to keep
track of, that if I didn’t schedule it, I’d forget it.
Now, with the loss of my datebook, I don’t know what to do or
when. Am I supposed to have tea at the White House on Monday? Am I supposed to pay the
utilities bill by the 29th? Was I planning to have a novel written by
Wednesday?
Luckily, the doctor’s office will likely call me with a
reminder before my appointment (if I have one). But what about all those other plans
and tasks, whatever they are? Will this development bring a huge dose of happy spontaneity
into my life? Or will I just degenerate into a ball of anxiety?
I don’t know what to expect. Losing my datebook was not scheduled
in my datebook.
Solution: Google calendar. It's awesome - we keep track of our entire household on it. Won't get lost and you can print out your daily or weekly schedule if you still need the paper aspect. Even better if you have a phone that can access it.
ReplyDeleteTrue that, and I'm sure I'll get that same advice from plenty of other people. On the other hand, when it comes to lists and schedules, there's something about having it on paper that works well for me (or at least until now!). Besides, my poor unemployed person's budget can't handle the cost of a smart phone plus the monthly bills that come with it.
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