Conquering lateness + an awesome giveaway
[This is a sponsored post from BlogHer through Citi, which includes an incredible giveaway opportunity. As always, all opinions are my own]
I’d always been one of those “late for everything” kind of people. I know it’s rude, it’s embarrassing, but unless it was a job interview, you could pretty much guarantee that I’d show up at least 15 minutes after the event time. It’s in my blood. I thought that having a baby would make this exponentially worse, but on the contrary, I’m usually on time now.
Why? It’s forced me to become more organized. There’s no time for last-minute fashion crises or failing to map out our event location. With everything I need to pack and take with us, it can be more difficult to do it with an active toddler at my side. Instead, I prep ahead and do as much as I can in advance.
Here are some of the things I’ve found to help:
-Make snacks and drinks the night before. I’ll pack up snacks for both of us -mama gets hungry too!- and drinks in the fridge so that I can grab them in the morning and go.
-Pack the “hit and run” bag. I used to carry a giant diaper bag around, but realized that it was loaded with heavy things we no longer needed and… crumbs. Lots of crumbs. So now, I put our snacks, a few diapers and sunscreen in a small lululemon bag that we tote around with us. It’s not fancy, but it works
-Have outfits planned in advance. Even though I don’t set them out (let’s not get crazy now, haha), I have an idea of what we’re each going to wear and where they are.
-Waking up before she wakes up. This was a hard one for me, as I’m not a morning person, but it’s the perfect way to get in a short workout and some work before we start the day. She’ll usually be up between 7 and 7:30, so my alarm will go off at 5:30 to do what I need to do. As much as I dislike waking up early, I love that I’m able to get in some quiet time, maybe a sweat session, and also get dressed and ready before she’s awake. If I have a head start on work stuff, I’m able to be more present while we’re hanging out and save the work until she’s sleeping.
I’ve found that as our family continues to grow, it will be important for us to stay organized. With all of the upcoming fall events, I’m doing my best to remember everything, be where we need to be (on time!) and pick up appropriate gifts for upcoming weddings and holidays.
Some of our current organization strategies:
-Our magnetic calendar. On our fridge, we have a dry erase board where we write work schedules, the Pilot’s flying schedule and any events. This way I know if he’ll be working late (and Liv and I will be getting hot bar for dinner…) and important events on the horizon.
-Alerts on my phone. Birthdays are set on annual renewal, and if an event is coming up, I’ll have an alert go off a day or two beforehand.
-Setting up automatic bill pay. Back in the day, it was hard for me to keep track of all of our bills. They all had different due dates, some companies wouldn’t bill us regularly, and with everything going on, I’d space it. Now, I have a spreadsheet with our monthly finances, our savings goals, and our bill due dates.
Many of them I have set up on automatic bill pay, so all I have to do is check the statement to make sure we’re being charged accurately.
With the holidays coming up, the last thing we want to do is waste time or money dealing with late fees, and the Citi Simplicity card makes it much easier to accomplish this.
Some of the details:
–Citi Simplicity is the only card to offer no late fees, an annual fee or a penalty fee. Ever.
– Citi Price Rewind searches retailers’ sites for lower prices when you buy and register an eligible item with your Citi credit card. Save your credit card receipt each time you shop. If Citi finds your item at least $25 lower than what you paid within 30 calendar days, you can get the difference in price back, up to $250. The average refund is $80.
-Your Citi Simplicity card offers discounts on travel, shopping, restaurants and gift cards, too with Citi Easy Deals.
Another reason they’re awesome? They’re giving one lucky Fitnessista reader a 16GB Mini Tablet LOADED with financial apps to help you stay organized this fall. Enter the sweepstakes for a chance to win.
Here’s how to enter:
Sweepstakes
The Conquering Lateness Sweepstakes (“Sweepstakes”) is open to legal US Residents, age 18 or older. Void where prohibited. Sweepstakes ends at 5pm (PST) on October 24, 2013. More details are available here. No purchase necessary.
Only two entries per participating blog per household; if the same or substantially similar comment (as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion) is posted twice, it may only count as one Entry. Eligible persons may enter this Promotion by taking any of the following actions, each of which counts as one entry:
1. Leave a comment in response to the Promotion prompt on this post (how you conquer lateness and stay organized)
2. Tweet (public message) about this Promotion, including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: “#SweepstakesEntry”; and leave the URL to that Tweet in a comment on this post.
3. Blog about this Promotion (including a disclosure that you have received a sweepstakes entry in exchange for blogging about this Promotion), and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.
4. To enter without commenting, follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt.
Be sure to visit the Citi brand page on BlogHer.com where you can learn more about conquering lateness!
Happy fall!
xoxo
Gina
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564 Comments
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These are all great ideas. Probably the simplest but most powerful is waking up a bit earlier to get things done. I’ve always found that if I give myself a half hour more than I estimate I need – I end up having about 5 minutes to spare before it’s time to leave!
Excellent tips.
Jay
I do as much as possible the night before, try to stick to a routine, set multiple alarms, look ahead on my calendar to see what the week and day ahead holds, and have me time to try to maintain balance. Thanks for the offer!
I usually just use sticky notes:/. A tablet would be way better at keeping me organized!
i set 2 alarms every morning.
I always arrive 15 minutes early. My van is stocked with snacks and drinks as well as extra coats. Our cubbies at the back door hold all of the daily essentials!
I conquer lateness by setting my phone’s alarm and keeping lists of everything I need to get done, so I don’t get distracted. I always give myself some extra time in case anything unexpected happens.
tweet
https://twitter.com/Kellydpa/status/383938367773102081
I mentally prepare myself to leave 15 mins earlier than I actually need to. It usually works for me.
The key for me is to always plan ahead – always. Without a plan I just feel disorganized and unprepared. I take a lot of notes and write a lot of lists – it works for me!
to conquer lateness and stay organized i utilize 3-4 different planners. Most people think it would confuse them even further, but each one has its own purpose. I also keep a dry erase board and chalkboard over my desk.. one for school work and the other for my work schedule.
https://twitter.com/Lauren_Frawley/status/383954305482379266
my tweet!
While I was in college I started using an academic planner to prepare for assignments and make sure I didn’t miss an opportunity to study for tests. It worked so well that I continue to use my planner to keep me organized. I currently don’t have a tablet so this would be perfect to try!!! Thanks Citi Simplicity and Gina 🙂
I do several things…
First, my phone is set about 10 minutes fast. You might think this wouldn’t work but when I am in a rush or doing something that is more fast paced opposed to sitting around, glancing at my phone and seeing the time makes me hurry what I am doing and I end up getting to where I need to be on time.
I also lay out my clothes the night before when it is a particularly early morning so I don’t waste time changing clothes. I also set 3 alarms and put my alarm away from arms reach so I have to get out of bed.
Great tips as always! I am not a morning person, so I get everything ready the night before
I love making to-do lists ranking the most important tasks to smaller ones, then checking them off when they’re completed! Seeing it on paper helps me stay better organized.
I make lists and try to write down everything. I also keep my calendar in three places- work email, personal email and written in a day planner!
My mom instilled in me early the need to be on time. I conquer lateness by planning on being there 15 minutes early, that way if something comes up, I still have time to make it to wherever I am going on time.
https://twitter.com/theziturs/status/383989043983171584
I sometimes try to write the event time in my planner 15-20 minutes earlier than what it really is, so that I’ll be right on time 😀
My phone calendar!
I’m also perpetually late to things, but one thing that tends to work for me is thinking about being late as a sign of disrespect to the person I am meeting–helps me to try to honor my commitments better!
I figure out what time I need to be somewhere and work backwards to time out all that needs to get done beforehand in order for me to be there on time!
I really try to be prepared and stick to my calendar so my days have some sort of order!
Great tips!. I plan my days out on my calendar so I can get everything done before it’s time to be somewhere. I get really anxious if I’m late to something, so planning really helps me stay relaxed and in control. A tablet would be a great help in managing my schedule!
I wish I knew hot to conquer lateness!! I’m about to get married (5 weeks) so saving and on-time arrival is really something I need to work on!
I started a spreadsheet at the beginning of the year and it has made my bill paying and budgeting so much easier. I color code the autopay bills and the quarterly bills so they stand out from the others. These are all great tips!
I would not survive without the calendar and reminders app on my phone– I set alerts for EVERYTHING so I never miss appointments or even errands like returning library books.
Waking up early and keeping my calendar on my phone up to dat help me. The tablet would help too!
I use alarms and reminders on my phone. It has saved me a few times.
I always set my alarm clock 10 minutes earlier and I “label” the alarm with my to-do’s so that I won’t forget anything before leaving! 🙂
Lists, lists, lists!!!
I stick Post-It notes on the refrigerator to remember things. I also set up alerts on my computer to remind me to do things on time. A tablet would sure be a big help!
Your giveaway is posted on my blog
http://mscarolsue.blogspot.com/2013/02/giveaways-ive-entered.html
I also get up before my daughter to make sure everything is organized and ready to go. Plus, I use my phone calendar like its nobody’s business. Alerts and reminders galore!
This is an awesome giveaway. Perfect for a busy college student trying to stay organized. I have tons of alarms and notifications, a planner and a bulletin board.
Still in the dark ages for me, I write things in my diary, but lately have starting to use my iPhone. I see a lot of these tablets being used though. Whichever way you choose to plan, I think the key is that as long as it works:)
i do as much as possible the night before so my mornings can be easier. i keep to-do lists to help keep me organized and on track for the day.
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
tweet – https://twitter.com/LuLu_Brown24/status/384092973756997632
jslbrown_03 at yahoo dot com
What a great giveaway!
I also get up before my little guy in order to get everything set before I drop him off at daycare most mornings. Not to mention, my lovely iPhone alarm that I live by!
I have to “plan” to leave anywhere about 15 minutes early. Even then, I’m still never early – always on time … or even still a few minutes late! I’m lucky that my friends are always equally or more late than I am!
I love the sound of that card! I have found that the best thing for me to make sure that I’m on time is to tell myself that I have to be at my destination 15 minutes before I actually need to be there. Thanks for the giveaway!!
I try to get up in the mornings before my kids do so I can get stuff done. I feel so accomplished before they even wake up!
I’ve definitely got to plan, plan, plan! I’m also a big list maker – from to do lists, shopping lists, etc they keep me organized and able to prioritize what needs to get done/when. 🙂
I have everything ready, and make sure it’s at my door! Sometimes I am late, but for the majority, I just grab what I need by the door and head out!
I tweeted! https://twitter.com/fitncookies/status/384298750031560704
I’d be lost without my google calendar.!! It’s the only thing that keeps me organized & on time
I mentally run through tomorrow and anticipate the next day’s needs. Will I need a change of clothes? An extra snack? Business cards? my phone charger? If I can anticipate all of the things that might come up, then I take time the night before to plan and pack.
I had a late parent growing up and I vowed not to be that parent. Therefore, I wake up at 4 to get a head start!
8
I stay organized with a combo of paper planner (<3 my moleskine) and Google Calendars. That way I can write down a to-do list each day in my planner, and keep my regular engagements in my calender so I can easily "see" what my day looks like. It sounds odd to have both, but it works 🙂
Love the spread Sheet! So nice. We do papers magnetized to the fridge to keep track of money, plans and schedules 🙂