The following is a guest post from momAgendaCOMM blogger Michele McGraw.
Technology can either be the best thing since sliced bread or it can add a lot of stress to your life. When I’m deciding whether I need a new gadget, I think about how it will affect my life by asking a few questions.
• Will this gadget require hours of tutorials to learn how to work?
• Will this gadget remove a task from my plate or make a current task much easier?
• Will this gadget make me more organized?
If I can answer yes to at least one of those questions, then I’m comfortable bringing a new gadget into my life. Being organized is something I strive for daily. I figure taking a bit more time up front to be more organized will save me time and stress later.
Here are a few ideas for keeping any tech savvy mom organized:
1. Always have a printed copy of every important system you have online. For example, I keep my contacts updated on my computer, but I also have a printed copy in my Kitchen binder in case I need the information and I do not have access to my computer.
2. Start with what you know. If you need a new system to keep track of the chores your kids are completing each week, don’t go out and buy new software. You will have to learn the new software first and then create the chore charts. Create the chart in software you already have.
3. Do not purchase technology just because you can. Use the questions I listed above to be sure that you really do need the technology. Otherwise, you will just add more stress.
4. Have a central location in your home with all of your chargers. In our kitchen, we have a shelf with at least one of every type of charger that we all typically use. Those chargers stay in the kitchen so we always have a place to charge a device. The chargers are labeled with the gadgets they can charge.
5. Stick with the same type of products within your family (when possible.) I have 4 kids and each of us have a cell phone and MP3 player. We have chosen to stick with iPhones and iPods so that we all use the same chargers and we are all purchasing the same apps and media. This saves money and time because we do not need to learn a new device.
6. Back Up, Back Up, Back Up! I cannot stress enough how important it is to back up your computers. You may lose precious memories or important documents if you don’t back up regularly.
What tech ideas do you have for staying organized?
Michele is CEO of Mom Geek Media and creator of Scraps of My Greek Life, a blog offering daily commentary, advice, reviews and shared experiences of how her real life and the digital domain connect. You can also connect with her on Twitter.