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Event Planning 101


One of the tools I use as a professional organizer are countdowns.

What exactly is a countdown? To put it simply, anytime a special event, party, or holiday is anticipated (okay maybe dreaded :), create a MASTER list of EVERYTHING you need to do.

For example, during the winter holidays, tasks such as- setting your table, gift buying, cooking, decorating, may be floating around in your head. "Oh yes, I can't forget to do x,y,z", sound familiar?

Transfer all of that mental clutter from your head onto a piece of paper. This is your MASTER to-do list.

Then, transfer each item on your MASTER list to a day in your calendar, sometime before the event. It will not be too hard to determine the necessary chronological order for each task. You may want to use something large like a wall calendar with post-it notes for the individual tasks. This way, if you cannot complete a task on the assigned day, you can move the post-it over to another day.

You now have DAILY and WEEKLY to-do lists and have just created a COUNTDOWN.

After creating your Master list, you may decide that you logistically cannot get it all done before the event. If this applies to you, decide to delegate, delete, or diminish some of your tasks. Do you really need to give a gift to every single one of your coworkers? Can you buy the jelly donuts instead of baking them-especially if you've never made jelly donuts before?

Rebekah Slatkin is a professional organizer dedicated to getting people organized through hands-on decluttering sessions, teleconferencing, coaching, and her website http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com Visit http://www.best-organizing-products-superstore.com and subscribe to Organewz, her ezine dedicated to organized living and get organizing tips and downloads- free.


"Holidays" in the News:

Reuters Blogs (blog)

Toys "R" Us gearing up for holidays with mini stores
South Florida Business Journal
This sizeable rollout of pop-up stores represents an additional 2.4 million square feet of toy-selling space for the holiday season. ...
Toys R Us opens express stores for the holidaysBaltimore Sun (blog)
Toys R Us to operate more pop-up stores this Christmas seasonLos Angeles Times
Toys R Us invades the mall for the holidaysThe Associated Press
BloggingStocks (blog) -Orlando Sentinel -One News Page
all 199 news articles »


Analysis: Holiday shipping up in the air in weak U.S. economy
Reuters
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Toy store owner Eric Masoncup is playing a high-stakes game as he readies holiday ...

and more »


Retailers to Step Up Hiring for the Holidays
CNBC
The majority of the nation's largest retail chains are planning to hang up "Wanted" signs this holiday season as they either hold seasonal hiring steady ...
Holiday Job Outlook Stays FlatWall Street Journal

all 10 news articles »


CBC.ca

Iran to free female American for holiday clemency
The Associated Press
While flights to Dubai, such as the one taken by the Americans' mothers, are much more frequent, they are probably all booked because of the holidays. ...
FP Passport: Catching a ride back homeForeign Policy (blog)
Iran to release female American after 13 monthsThe Associated Press

all 903 news articles »


Ha'aretz

Jewish High Holidays for newcomers
Washington Post (blog)
The Jewish High Holidays begin on September 8, and for synagogues, that means undertaking complex logistical arrangements to ...
Jewish High Holidays a sacred — and busy — time for First Coast rabbisFlorida Times-Union
Temples fighting economic downturn as High Holidays arrivePalm Beach Post
Jewish High Holidays and the Mosque at Ground ZeroSanta Barbara Independent
Morning Sentinel -Kansas City Star -Reuters Blogs (blog)
all 47 news articles »


Kindle arriving to Best Buy in time for the holidays
Geek.com
It makes a lot of sense, especially considering the significant surge in foot traffic during the all-important holiday shopping season.

and more »


FOXNews

The High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah
Shore News Today
Rosh Hashanah is the start of the High Holidays, ten days of repentance for Jews that ends with Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, on Saturday, Sept.17. ...
New Year, New Start: Jewish holiday allows for reflectionRed and Black
Rosh Hashanah 2010 – Jewish Holidays 2010Spreadit.org
High holidays with a new rabbi in ChambersburgChambersburg Public Opinion
World Correspondents (blog) -Brooklyn Daily Eagle -Patch
all 695 news articles »


China's economic planner calls for regulations on price hikes during holidays
Xinhua
Complaints and reports from the public will be accepted at hotline phone number "12358", said the official. This year's Mid-autumn Festival holiday is Sept. ...
"Most complicated" holiday plan confuses ChineseXinhua

all 4 news articles »


Holiday Job Seekers Should Start Searching Today
WXIA-TV
ATLANTA -- The holidays may be months away, but if you're looking to snag one of those coveted seasonal jobs, now's the time to get busy. ...

and more »


iPad Will Dominate During Holidays and 2011 — Analyst
Phone Plus (blog)
Um anticipates the iPad, in combination with the new iPhone 4 and iPod upgrades, will make Apple the darling of the holiday shopping season. ...

and more »

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