Dear Friends,
The next section we are going to build in our Control Journal is our
address book. Now do not obsess about this. It will take months to get
it complete. Right now I want you to add the ABC dividers and put a
sheet of paper between each alphabet letter. This does not have to be
a formatted sheet with a line for name, address, phone number, cell
phone, e-mail address, who they are? This is very important, because we forget why we put someone in your address book. An example is the name of a
repairperson, if you don't put "appliance repairman" in the entry, you
will look at it one day and say who is this person.
Just list the criteria across the top of the page so you won't forget
to use it. You can also add personal information for acquaintances;
names of children and spouse. After you make an entry, just draw a
line under it. This does not have to be fancy, just understandable.
Use a pencil and be sure to print the names clearly. As you add names
and addresses, you may want to cross reference their name with who
they are, by putting the name under Repairman with the expertise. You
don't have to put all the information, just the name. You have already
entered it once. This will save you from having to look through the
whole address book. It may not be a problem with only a few names and
addresses, but eventually you will have several entries in your
address book.
Even if you have a palm pilot, this is a hard copy; I know you already
have it in your computer, but this can be accessed easily. It is your
back up. They family will love having all the names and addresses in
one spot instead of on little slips of paper stuffed in the drawer by
the telephone. I do not expect you to spend all day entering your
addresses and phone numbers. Set a timer for 15 minutes and get it
ready to make the entries. Then from time to time on desk day, you can
enter the information. As you run across the tiny pieces of paper with
addresses you want to keep put them in your control journal. This does
not mean get sidetracked from your task at hand of decluttering or
what ever you are doing at the time. Now you have a place to keep them
and a plan for entering them. If you have to write down an address, do
it in the address book right then, instead of any ole piece of scrap
paper.
This address book is going to be such a blessing when you need to send
Christmas Cards, other greeting cards, invitations or calling
community meetings. It will also help to reduce the chaos and stress
in your life. Having everything in one place and keeping it handy will
save many hours of searching for a name and address on that torn piece
of paper that you know you put in a SAFE place. I am still looking for
that safe place where I hid my son's car title 3 years ago. We have
gotten a duplicate title, but the mystery has not been solved and
occasionally I get teased about it. We will always be SHEs, it is just
comforting to know that we can be taught.
This Control Journal will guide you to a peaceful life. Follow its
recipes for harmony and joy.
I want you to FLY and not by the seat of your pants; even though we
pride ourselves in winging it.
FlyLady
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