1. How many calendars? One of the most common mistakes I encounter with my clients is when they have too many calendars. I’m not sure which is worse, too many calendars or none at all. The key is simplicity. The more calendars you have, the more places you have to check, update, and maintain. It is very easy for them to get out of sync, causing you to miss important appointments. I recommend using the fewest number of calendars possible, optimally one. You want to combine your professional appointments and your personal commitments, all on one calendar.
   
2. Paper vs. Electronic? With all of the electronic gadgets out there, many people feel the pressure to be using a PDA (personal digital assistants) or smartphone to organize their appointments. While these tools provide many wonderful, time-saving features, they may not be right for you. A paper-based calendar can be just as effective. Analyze your needs to determine which type of calendar is best for you.
   For example, if you travel, a PDA is a great choice. It allows you to carry all your contacts, to-dos, and appointments, check your email and voicemail, access the internet, and make phone calls (smartphone) all in the palm of your hand. If you are a stay at home mom, a large wall calendar might be the answer. It gives you a lot of space for each day and allows everyone easy access to the family schedule. Budget is also a consideration since PDAs are much more expensive than a paper-based solution.
   
   
3. Appointments vs. To-Dos - All of your time management requirements fall into one of two categories: appointments or to-dos. An appointment is an arrangement to do something or meet someone at a particular time and place. Examples include staff meetings, doctor appointments, car-pooling, and a dinner date. The best way to organize your appointments is to record them in your calendar. To-Dos are items that need to get done, but when you do them is at your discretion. To-dos are best organized on a to-do list which is reviewed daily. Do not use your calendar to track your to-do items. To effectively manage your time, you need to use both your calendar and your to-do list together.
   
   
4. Write It down - How many times have you laid awake at night worrying about forgetting something important? Many people attempt to keep track of some or all of their appointments in their heads. Although it works for some, most of the time it fails, resulting in missed appointments with potentially serious consequences. As soon as you get the information, write it down! If you have a lot of different types of activities, it can be very helpful to color code them.
   
   
5. Check Often - No matter how diligent you are about writing things down in your calendar, if you don’t refer back to it on a regular basis, it will not be an effective time management tool. Get into the habit of checking your calendar regularly. For example, check it each morning when you get up and again before you go to bed. This habit will ensure that important appointments don’t get missed.

Follow these tips to start your year off right. You CAN get control over your schedule!