Organising yourself for success is the first step to achieving what you want and making the most of every opportunity. Being organised is about having the right tools and the right systems in place to use them. Owning a stylish diary won’t suddenly make you organised unless you apply the discipline to update it regularly. Follow these top tips to get the most out of yours and set yourself up for success this year...

STEP 1

Take some time to consider which style and format will work best for you. What have you used in the past and what has worked or failed? Important considerations are function, layout, portability and your own personal style.

Do you need a diary/calendar combination or perhaps just one or the other? Do you need a lot of space to write and would benefit from a Daily Diary or would a Weekly Diary offer enough space? Don’t skimp on a diary or calendar – you have to use it every day for the next year so it’s worth the time and money invested now to ensure you get the right one for you. We love the 2012 Medium Time Planner. There's plenty of space for all your important dates, and in gorgeous leather it's durable and refillable, which means you invest in it now and keep reaping the benefits for years to come.

STEP 2

If you have a lot of people, work commitments or academic subjects to manage, the Family Calendar or Family Diary might be ideal for you. It features a grid format that's perfect for multi-tasking, rather than carrying multiple diaries and unnecessary notebooks.

STEP 3

If you often miss birthdays, stop for a moment at the start of the year to mark them in your calendar or diary so you can’t miss them. Then write yourself a reminder the week before so that your birthday cards arrive on time. You'll be so impressed with your organisation when you stumble across a reminder later on in the year!

STEP 4

A great tip is to have your diary open in front of you as you open your mail. This way you can write any important dates straight into your diary so you don’t incur late fees or forget a special occasion; saving you money, time and avoiding unwanted stress.

STEP 5

Not only does colour help to make your diary look gorgeous, it's also a great tool to help you organise your commitments. Use coloured pens or stickers to differentiate your personal and work commitments from your birthdays and bills. You’ll be amazed how this simple tip can help you gauge at a glance what’s happening in the week ahead.

STEP 6

Make an appointment for a consultation or workshop with your local kikki.K Personal Organiser today to ensure you stay organised in style in 2012!

THE TOOLS YOU'LL NEED...