Friday, December 2, 2011

A Digital Calendar Solution to Simplify Life by Jennifer Hudson Taylor

We are ALL busy! Some of us are more busy than others, from sun-up to sun-down, and living on fumes and steam for sleep. A few of us don't know if we're coming or going. After mailing out two of my books twice to the same person in Oct and again in Nov, I finally gave that as my excuse. It was true! I really didn't know if I was coming or going.

Are you like me? Operating on multiple calendars, but need to keep them separate for obvious reasons? But need to access them from any platform regardless of where you are and what gadget or device you have handy at the moment?

My Calendars include:
  • Personal Calendar - Family and friends' birthdays, doctor appointments, family activities, etc. (Private)
  • Author Calendar - Book signings, workshops, conferences, blog interviews, guest posts and podcasts (Public on my website and automatically updated)
  • Business Calendar - For the day job, meetings, appointments, events, deadlines, etc (Private)

I've finally found a way to keep these calendars separate, but accessible on one app as needed. I can pull them up on my desktop, laptop, tablet, and phone. Each calendar is color coded and keeps me from mistaking one for the other.

What I've discovered is, if I set these calendars up on my Gmail, I can then download the Business Calendar App from the Android Market on my phone and tablet. This works because both my phone and tablet are Google based and Android based. It syncs the calendars and keeps them updated for me. My private calendars stay private and my public calendar automatically updates my website without me having to physically go to my website and update it manually.

Of course, I can set details, repeating events, create task lists with an agenda for each day and set email alerts minutes, hours or days before I'm scheduled for something.

What calendar solutions have you found that simplify your life? If you have questions about this process I'm using, feel free to ask me here, and I'll try my best to answer. I wanted to share something that is working for me in the event it might be helpful to YOU.

6 comments:

Linnette Rochelle said...

So far, I put everything on my phone calendar since I carry it with me everywhere I go and can set alarms. I forgot to put an appt in and totally forgot until two days later. :S So, now I'm putting everything in. Once I get so busy it won't all fit, I'm not sure what I'll do. :-)

Jennifer Taylor said...

What kind of app are you using?

Jennie Dugan said...

I use my Lotus notes calendar on my blackberry for everything. It's for work, but it has a 'private' setting and also alarm settings. My boss, who is 60, told me it was time to ditch the paper calendar and enter the new century. :)

Linda Glaz said...

I'm still slogging through the sludge. Was just getting my office (so I could get organized) finished when Rich had his stroke. Then it becamse a downstairs bedroom. Surprise to him! He's moving back upstairs tonight to his "horders'" cave and I will finally complete the office. Then, watch out! Organization here I come! Lots of great ideas folks, keep 'em coming. I work well in chaos, but I'm ready for change!

Jennifer Taylor said...

Jennie, Kudos to your boss. On my day job, my boss is about that age and a little reluctant for change, especially if it's something she struggles to understand. Since we have access to the office computers, I'm still trying to figure out why it's necessary to physically drive into work everyday risking our safety on the hwy and wear and tear on our vehicles. It doesn't make sense to me.

Plus, I get more interruptions at work by co-workers. I do believe flexibility will be more possible with future jobs. They can access from anywhere. Of course, that brings in a whole new set of other problems--not being harassed by bosses when on vac and/or in hospital, and on personal time, etc.

Jennifer Taylor said...

Linda,

I'm so sorry you've been going through all the challenges you've faced recently. When it rains, it does pour. I've seen that in my own life lately. Hope things calm down down for you soon! Blessings,