Calendars

Guide to Personalized Calendars

Get the most out of your appointment calendar
By Melissa Haveman

A personalized calendar is a vitally important tool for any business person. Most individuals use an appointment calendar without putting too much thought into the form and function. Whether you use desk calendars, an electronic version or an appointment book, calendars provide many different benefits.

1. Personalized calendars help you keep track of important business meetings with clients and colleagues.
2. A calendar allows you to keep contact information where you can easily access it.
3. Add-ons to calendars can help you convert measurements, take notes or know when the year’s holidays take place.
4. Personal planners keep you organized by holding all of the information you need in one spot.

Although you may not have thought much about your appointment calendar, finding the right one can make you more efficient in your planning.

Action Steps

The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Consider the form of calendar that you are most comfortable with Some individuals will want an electronic calendar, while others like the act of putting pencil to paper when setting appointments. Both forms have their pros and cons, which means that you'll need to weigh those options and decide which one is right for you.

I recommend:  Stay organized with one of Palm’s electronic calendar products. Review the available PDAs at CNet and buy the one that fits your needs. Try a desk calendar pad to keep you organized at your desk.

Choose an attractive holder for your personal planner If you like the idea of a hard copy calendar, you'll need to consider the outward appearance of the calendar. You'll want a cover that can be used for years to come and that looks professional.

I recommend:  Use of the attractive options from Executive Essentials to help keep you organized for years to come. A leather bound planner always has a professional, executive appearance.

Use a calendar program that integrates with your email account Several email providers offer calendars that can be accessed from your email account. If you spend a lot of time with your email program open, this can be a great option, particularly as the calendar will send you a reminder via email of appointments and meetings.

I recommend:  Take a tour of the Google Calendar which features reminders via email for appointments and events. Try the demo of Calendar Script, a web-based calendar and appointment organizer.

Find calendars that include the information you need Consider how you'll use a calendar. Do you need to have short increments of time? Room to write notes? Additional information like sunrise or sunset time integrated in? Taking the time to think about what you need your calendar to include will help you get one that will actually work for you.

I recommend:  Check out the different Quo Vadis planning products to see which best meets your needs. Create your own custom calendars at Day-Timer. Choose a planner created specifically for a particular industry, like real estate.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• If you have multiple personalized calendars, keep in mind that you'll need to transfer information from one to the other. Some electronic calendars can be accessed online and through a PDA which can help eliminate this problem.