I thought of calling this post "why you need an agenda" but I'll let you make your own decisions. I know that my phone and computer can keep my calendar, and can colour-code it as well but I just prefer having a hard copy of it. I can't explain it, but it helps me stay organized and I need it.
Those who use a paper agenda, they know that the selection of the agenda is a huge deal. You make a commitment to a way of life for a year. A bad agenda can spell disaster. I'm usually weary of buying one online because I like to get a feel for it but I couldn't find one that I liked. I've seen reviews for some pricey agendas online, which I wouldn't mind too much except the shipping was almost just as much and I just couldn't justify that. But regardless, this year, I took the plunge and purchased one online from Etsy. This came from a shop in Lithuania (of all places) and I was really impressed with my first Etsy purchase from The Big Calendar. I purchased it on the 20th and it arrived today and the shipping wasn't too expensive (it was actually cheaper than some of the shops in the states!). The shop I purchased from had a number of covers to choose from. The only thing I would have preferred for the cover is that it was a little more rigid. The agenda was $24 USD and shipping was $8.65 USD.
I use my agenda for everything- personal, school, blogging, work and money. I also started colour-coding, circling everything in specific colours. I would prefer an agenda with a full month view, it's hard to find so I'm getting used to just the days. I don't need a page for each day I find it a bit much. I also don't need the times, my agenda is mostly for reminders and planning, like parts of an assignment or blog posts. This calendar also had notes on a few days each week, some of them were holidays and some were just funny little notes, like "Vegan Friday". I'm not sure if that is actually a thing but it could be and maybe that Friday, I'll eat vegan. Probably not, but maybe.
I know that the paper agenda is not for everyone but neither is the electronic calendaring. I know a number of my friends have decided to go to paper in 2014 because I've been fairly successful with mine. People know that I don't commit to any plans without having my book. I love the way I can visualize my tasks and the satisfaction of crossing things out when they're completed with my red pen. I find with the electronic versions, things don't get updated, things go missing, and it's hard to keep track of all my calendars efficiently. If you feel like you've struggled with staying organized and want to make it better in 2014, I would recommend buying a paper agenda. You don't need the most expensive one to figure out what works for you. Even though I will start writing in mine tomorrow, you can wait until they all go on sale in the first week of January.
Stay organized, my friends.
well... as a twenty-something in any city should probably try at least once in their life, I went to a networking event last night. It was a really lovely event, run by what seems like a very wonderful team of marketing experts.
The speakers were absolutely phenomenal. These people were very inspiring, but still... I'm not exactly sure how to proceed. I find it very difficult to connect with people where they only reason I know you is because we went to a place to meet. It seems a little odd. However, on one of the speakers blogs, he recommended trying to network at Starbucks. Easier said than done but he had a point, why are we so afraid to talk to each other? Why do we look at people as if they are crazy when they simply want to have a conversation with us. On the other hand, people who are good at it, seem really good at it. Maybe just practice makes perfect.
A couple of weeks ago, a woman came up to me on the subway platform. She simply complimented my dress. I was pretty uncomfortable, I don't get a lot of people (particularly women) just walking up and offering up compliments. I said thanks, I actually just got the dress that day and told her where I got it from. I talked about her dress and she told me she was getting rid of it. She was planning on moving to Australia for a year, having lived in Australia for 6 months, I couldn't help but get excited about the conversation. I asked her about her plans and she said she wasn't sure yet, and she started asking me lots of questions. On our short subway ride, we exchanged numbers. We haven't spoken since but I guess to network I would reach out to her? I mean, isn't that how networking is done?
Again... wish me luck!
Here is the link for the "Network at Starbucks": http://raeallan.com/2013/07/11/networking-are-you-making-the-most-of-your-third-place-i-e-starbucks/
