Start the new year off with new visual to-do organizer

I don’t know about you, but for me, putting things away also purges them from my memory. Out of sight, out of mind has become my unfortunate mantra. The result is a house and an office/studio that are a mess. For me, 2017 has to start out with some kind of effective system that helps me to get organized and check the items off my to-do list.

Walking the aisles of the office supply store, I discovered a couple of handy supplies that have become the backbone of my new system that is a visual to-do list, or see it, do it. An 8 1/2-by-11-inch Plexiglas sign stand and 7-inch rubber bands afford me the opportunity to organize all of the tasks I need to accomplish in any day, week or month. The key is that it looks good enough to keep it on display in my house and studio. If you’re tired of curling sticky notes and a magnet-encrusted fridge, this may be the system for you.

The sign stand has a handy opening to slide in a blank sheet of paper or a monthly calendar sheet for handy reference. And the 8 1/2-inch dimension is perfect for holding large 7-inch rubber bands (in bright colors) or stretchy hair bands in all colors and patterns that are available in the accessory aisle of any Target or beauty supply store. Once the bands are slipped over the sign stand, they will support any paper notes that serve as reminders for daily, weekly or monthly chores.

I think it’s fun to cut shapes to coordinate with each task, which looks good and reminds me at a glance to buy valentine supplies or to write holiday thank you notes. And you’re not likely to forget a carpool day or a school holiday with a little visual reminder sitting on display all month. I also like to include coupons on my display, especially those with expiration dates, so I can be sure to use them before they expire.

After several months the rubber bands will need to be replaced — the more they are stretched, the more quickly they wear out, but they are inexpensive and easy to replace.

So if you’re writing notes on a calendar or keeping track of tasks and schedules on a smartphone or tablet, try going old school with a to-do list that goes vertical like this display. It helps to put a little color and style into your daily, weekly and monthly tasks and the visual reminders are an effective way to keep your list in front of your face where it will not easily be forgotten.

MCBRIDE /TNS MIKE A couple of handy supplies that have become the backbone of my new system that is a visual todo list, or see it, do it.