Busy families across the country can all agree on one thing – there is too much going on and never enough time to get it all done. Keeping track of a family’s overcrowded schedule can require the skills of a master juggler and seasoned negotiator.

It doesn’t just seem like free time is shrinking – it actually is. In the last 25 years, children’s structured sports time has doubled, and children ages 3 to 12 have lost 12 hours per week of free time. Additionally, from 1973 to 2000, the average U.S. worker added 199 hours to his or her annual work schedule.

The good news is that with the right tools and a good organizational strategy, you really can fit more fun and function into your day.

Recent research conducted by MeadWestvaco uncovered common family scheduling problems, including the challenge of communicating between family members, tracking information, juggling appointments and events for multiple parties, and organizing and storing documents.

“The most common complaint is finding an easy way to get the family organized and communicating scheduling changes among family members,” explains Cindy Van Tyle, of MeadWestvaco. “In our quest to find a simple solution to offer busy families, color coding rose to the top as an effective and easy way to manage the details.”

Assigning each family member a color for all aspects of organization is a quick and intuitive way to keep track of everything from schedules to paperwork. The beauty of color coding is how easy it is to put into practice. Even preschoolers can start taking part in family organization.

Once family members know “their” color the practical options are endless. Here are a few tips for families to begin organizing their busy lives:

* Take the color-coding concept and implement it wherever possible, purchase folders, toothbrushes, laundry baskets, towels, etc. in each person’s color.

* Keep a family calendar such as the Day Runner family matters Monthly Wall Calendar to help avoid timing conflicts. The calendar’s color-coded, columnar format let’s you track five schedules at once, making it easy to see conflicts as well as opportunities. Post the calendar in a central spot and update it regularly.

* Try not to over schedule yourself or your kids. If you need to, schedule downtime at least once a week and make it known that nothing else can be scheduled in this time slot. Carry a portable appointment book with you to check your availability before agreeing to any further commitments.

* Identify your most common time wasters and look for ways to organize around them. If you’re looking for the car keys each morning, make a key hook and use it. If you are always forgetting your lunch in the refrigerator, leave yourself a reminder on the door handle or your car mirror. Fun, eye-catching accessories like Day Runner’s color-coded, erasable door reminders help ensure cell phones and gym shoes aren’t left behind.

* Encourage kids to get involved in the organization process. Teach them to check the calendar, file their papers and alert you if conflicts arise. Color coding makes it easy for everyone to participate and starts good organizational habits early.

* Communicate change. Devise the best way for your family to communicate schedule alterations. Whether it is a centrally-located erasable message board or a sticky note system, make sure everyone knows how to spread the word throughout the family.

For more information about the Day Runner family matters product line and other helpful tips on organization, log on to www.dayrunner.com/familymatters. The Day Runner family matters products are available at Office Depot stores nationwide.

Courtesy of ARAcontent