Home Management Notebooks are a great idea.

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Home Management Notebooks absolutely, unequivocally work for me.

Here’s are quick links to my Home Management Notebook series:

1. Having a Home Management Notebook is good.
2. Identity and target your Most Important Tasks.
3. Consider using a Daily Docket.
4. Use a Weekly Checklist as your main reference point.
5. Brainstorm ideas for what else you might need in your Notebook.

Photo by Patrick Ng

I hope you found this series useful. Using a Home Management Notebook isn’t a new idea – chances are, many of you already use one. But if this is new to you and trying one is uncharted territory, here are a few pointers:

• The point of a notebook is to have all your management tools in one place. Include what you need, leave out what you don’t.

• Do what works for you. If you prefer to scribble in pencil on a Moleskine Notebook, then by all means, do that! You could even have it all online using your favorite tools in one location. I’ve thought about doing that myself, but I just can’t handcuff myself to the laptop – I share it with my hubby, and I’m up and around too much during the day. Maybe one day, though.

• It helps me if my notebook looks pretty. That might be superficial, but I know I use it more when I like to look at it. I use scrapbook paper, magazine clippings, and whatever else strikes my fancy to personalize my baby and make it mine.

• If it doesn’t work at first, don’t throw in the towel! Give it more time, or change it up, or take a short break and think about what might work better for you. We all manage our households differently – the point is to do it well, simply, and stress-free.

As promised, here is a FREE PDF download of my Daily Docket and Weekly Checklist. I’ve made them a bit more generic, so maybe you’ll find them useful. In fact, I’ve included two Daily Dockets – one is identical to the one I use; the other has two areas with blank titles for you to fill in, in case mine aren’t something you need. You’ll see what I mean when you download it. If you have any other suggestions, I’m all ears.

I’ve added a button on the sidebar that will lead you to this page, so that you can easily find it again.

And finally, here’s a little more inspiration juice to get you going on a notebook that works for you:

• Here’s a basic list of more ideas on what to include.
• Organized Home has a few downloads you might like.
• DIY Planner has some good ideas using the Getting Things Done system.
• And my favorite… a beautiful visual homemaking journal, courtesy of Ann at Holy Experience (follow other links for inspiration!)

Tagged as: download, free, home management notebook, homemaking, how to, organizing, pdf, planning, popular, simple, tools