There’s just something about summer…long, relaxing days and even longer evenings. Maybe it’s the heat, the sun, and spending so much time outdoors, but whatever it is, summer is simply one of the best times of year. But summer is fading fast, and before we know it we’ll be right back into the throes of fall and the new school year. So here are some fresh ideas you can use right now to squeeze the very most out of your summer (and get yourself organized for fall and the school year ahead!)
Step 1: Make a list (or two)
One of the best tools for organizing anything is a simple piece of paper and a pencil. A list can help you get down on paper and out of your head all your ideas, wishes, and things you need to do. To make the most of summer (and get ready for fall) take out two pieces of paper. On the first list, write down everything you want to be sure to get in before summer is over. What things were you planning to do at the start of the summer…that you haven’t quite gotten around to? Have you had the annual neighborhood BBQ? Have you made a trip to the pool, ocean or water park? Simply jot down all those things on your summer fun to-do list.
List 1: Your Summer Fun List
To help you create your list, circle the ideas below that sound most fun and will help you make the most out of summer. And then, add your own ideas for summer fun in the space below. (By all means, don’t intend to do all of these things…we’re trying to take away stress, not add to it!)
- Set up the sprinkler…and watch the kids run through it (or run through it yourself for even more summer fun!
- Go to a local farmer’s market.
- Cut fresh flowers and put them in an eclectic collection of bottles and jars throughout your home.
- Catch fireflies.
- Make S’mores.
- Have a water-balloon toss.
- Get up early and enjoy the cool(er) summer mornings going for a walk or a run.
- Go to the beach, pool or a local water park.
- Scrapbook the highlights of the summer.
- Make homemade popsicles or homemade ice-cream.
- Read a beach novel…even if you don’t have time to squeeze in a trip to the beach.
The idea behind this first list is to schedule-in some summer fun…before it fades away for another year. Often we intend to get to the fun stuff someday…but without staking a claim to specific block of fun time, someday doesn’t come.
List 2: The Fall Prep
Your second list will include all those things you need to get done before fall swings into full gear. Things like shopping for school supplies, clothes and backpacks, and scheduling hair cuts and dental appointments should go on your fall prep to-do list. Once again, circle the items below that you’d like (or need!) to add to your fall prep to-do list. Then, add your own ideas next to the empty bullets.
- Clean out the closets.
- Make a list of items needed for the new school year or for your own fall wardrobe.
- Make a list of items needed for fall sports and other extracurricular activities.
- Sign up for fall sports.
- Shop the sales! (Since you have your list ready so far in advance, you can take advantage of the pre-season sales! Yay, you.)
- Get school supplies (for the kids or yourself—this is a great time to stock up on pens, pencils, sticky notes, glue, composition books and other office essentials.)
- Create a homework station to keep a stash of extra school and craft supplies at home.
- Order backpacks and lunch boxes (or invest in a new fall purse or tote bag for yourself!)
- Carve out a spot in the kitchen for lunch-making supplies.
- Make appointments for yourself and your family members such as dentist appointments, sports physicals, haircuts, etc.
Step 2: Prioritize and Schedule Your Lists
Guess what, by making the second list, you’ll be more likely to enjoy (and actually do) the items on your first list! Why is this? When you’ve thought out the tasks you have to take care of (instead of just keeping them floating around inside your head where you can’t systematically schedule them or act on them) you feel more in control. You not only know what you need (and want) to do, you also make it possible to schedule these tasks on the available time slots on your calendar. Here’s how.
First, assign a due date or target deadline to each item on your list. Decide which things must get done before school starts, and which things can wait. Second, prioritize your tasks by your deadline and in a logical sequence that will allow you to get your tasks done most efficiently. Third, pull out your calendar and stake a claim to blocks of time for the fun items and the fall prep items.
So for example, if you have four weekends left until school starts, you might choose to spend the first Saturday going through the closets and making a list of clothes to buy. (Then, schedule a fun activity for Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon.) During the following week, you can finish up your shopping list by adding school supplies, sports items, and the other items you need to pick up at the store. Then, plan to spend the second Saturday as your shopping day. Follow this thought process to schedule all your to-dos.
Step 3: Take action!
Remember, planning is the best way to make sure your to-do’s get done…and there’s still time for fun, as long as you back up your plan with action. Just think, if you schedule ahead (and follow your plan) you could have everything on your fall prep list done well in advance of summer’s end…leaving your last weeks of summer focused solely on your summer fun list. Now there’s a plan!
Enjoy what’s left of your summer…and here’s to starting the fall with our most organized foot forward!
