Step-by-Step Declutter
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog

Why I Love My Reminders App

4/2/2021

12 Comments

 
Picture
Smart phones were well entrenched in most people's lives before I got one. Seriously, they had been a thing for about six years. I didn't even really understand what a smart phone was, or what all the hype was about, when my husband brought home that first iPhone 4 and handed it to me. That was eight years ago, and in that time I have had two upgrades. Yes, only two. The first was to an iPhone 7 which was outdated when I got it. Then recently I got an iPhone 12. As you can see, I'm not exactly into the latest and greatest tech. I'm content to keep using whatever version I have until it stops working. 

When I first got a smart phone, I spent very little time on it. I made phone calls and texted (with far greater ease than I had done on my old flip phone!), but other than that, I rarely pulled it out. Over the years, my usage has increased significantly, but I still prefer to keep things simple. Maybe that's why the basic pre-installed Apple Reminders App is my favorite app to use. 
Picture
I find the Reminders App to be simple, yet versatile, and I use it to schedule a variety of things. For me it's like an electronic planner/to do list/habit tracker/memory cue all in one. It has become second nature to me to pull out my phone and set a reminder anytime I think of something I don't want to forget. 

We all get those fleeting thoughts that, if not recorded, disappear as quickly as they came. Capturing them in any fashion is helpful, but setting a reminder is more efficient. Notes get lost - either literally, or they get buried among a host of other notes rendering them meaningless. A to do list is great, but it doesn't put a time stamp on things. It's just a list. An electronic reminder allows you to decide on a specific time to tackle a given task. ​
Here are some of the ways in which I use my Reminders App. 
  • Schedule one time tasks. These might include phone calls that need to be made, emails that need to be written, appointments that need to be scheduled, items that need to be ordered, or invoices that need to be sent, among a myriad of other things. 
  • Schedule recurring tasks. This is where I get the most bang for my buck with the Reminders app. I set reminders for everything from household tasks (water plants, check/change HVAC filter, test smoke detectors, pay bills, set the trash at the curb) to family tasks (call Mom, wish someone a happy birthday) to professional tasks (prep monthly newsletter, submit post to my blogshare group) to personal tasks (things I want to remember to do for myself). 
  • Schedule long range tasks. Some tasks are out there a ways on the horizon, but you want to remember to do them when the time comes. Setting a reminder is a good way to keep track of those long range tasks such as follow up doctor appointments or seasonal tasks (like servicing the lawn mower or winterizing your sprinkler system). 
  • Schedule habits. If you are trying to form a new habit, the Reminders app can come in handy. Just schedule a daily reminder to help you stay on track. Marking it complete will feel like a little victory every time you do it. 
  • Schedule reminders for special occasions. I schedule reminders in advance of loved-ones birthdays to purchase gifts or send messages. If applicable, I also remind myself the date by which I need to have packages in the mail in order to get them to their recipients in time.
  • Schedule correspondence. These days everyone is so busy, it can be easy to lose track of people we care about. I have started scheduling reminders to call or contact people I care about on a regular basis. For some that contact is weekly. For others, it's every two weeks or every month. This practice has helped me to maintain meaningful contact with the people who matter to me, no matter how busy I am.  
I know that there are fancier apps out there that will do the things the Reminders app does and more, but I like the simplicity this app offers. It's easy to learn and easy to use, and it serves a very useful function. It helps me remember all the things (and people) I don't want to forget. If you struggle with keeping track of things, I encourage you to give it a try. When you think of something important, set a reminder. Doing so allows your brain to relax knowing that when you need to recall the information, it will be at your fingertips (or in your pocket). 
Picture
12 Comments
Seana Turner link
4/5/2021 08:52:59 am

I don't use a reminder app, but I do use reminders. I just put reminders for myself into my planner, but the payoff is the same. My daughter loves to bullet journal, and they can be used as trackers as well. That little bit of accountability is so great. What's weird is that my phone seems to stalk me. Every morning it knows I'll be exercising and now asks if it wants to set the timer for the time I usually need. Not sure if this is helpful or creepy :)

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/5/2021 10:07:59 am

Your point is a good one. It doesn't really matter what format you use, it's just a good idea to have some system in place for tracking reminders (or information you don't want to forget). Whatever works best for you is obviously your best option. The thing I like about using an app is that I almost always have it with me or near by, so when I'm out and about, I don't have to carry an extra item in case I think of something I need to remember.

Reply
Lucy Kelly link
4/5/2021 10:28:58 am

I make my phones last too, Sheri. I haven't made it to reminders on there yet, although it's very useful in other ways. I have a paper planner where I note all these upcoming things I want to remember. I'm more likely to check my planner at this point, so it works for me but if I ever jump into tech with both feet, I;m glad to hear about this app.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/5/2021 01:19:13 pm

If you have an iPhone, you have the app. It comes standard with Apple phones. That said, I always encourage people to pick the system that works for them, so I’m glad to hear you’ve got one you’re happy with. I grew into my current system gradually. It’s also nice to hear that I’m not the only one who likes to get every dollar’s worth out of my tech. 😄 I have an iPad that is 9 years old - the only one I’ve ever owned. Still works!

Reply
Sabrina Quairoli link
4/5/2021 10:56:58 am

Thanks for sharing your experience with the Reminders app. I like to send myself reminders via emails so I can remember doing them when I am on my computer. It helps a great deal. I use an online calendar for appointments and can send and schedule them on the go on my phone as well. Once a week before the next week, I have a paper calendar I created in Excel that I add all future tasks for only the next week. I have a section for website tasks, personal tasks, appointments, family activities, house to dos as well as the tasks I do for clients. It works pretty well to keep me focused. My favorite part is checking off the tasks when I am finished.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/5/2021 01:23:23 pm

Wow, Sabrina! It sounds like you have a great system in place for staying on top of things. I confess, I do well with the Reminders app because it allows me to store a lot of information in one location. I also have an online calendar. Fir me, the more steps involved, the likely I am to lose track.

Reply
Linda Samuels link
4/5/2021 02:38:51 pm

Do they say, the best app is the one you'll use? And clearly, you found an app that works for you and that you rely on. Bravo! That is the key. There are millions of apps out there, but as long as you have one that does what you need, you don't need any others.

For the types of ways you use it, I have something I love and have been using for years. It's the "2Do" app. It works with my calendar so that I can see the tasks in relationship to scheduled appointments and events.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/5/2021 02:46:28 pm

You are so right, Linda! It's all about the app (or method) you will use. And I love your comment that you don't need any others. I recently went through and deleted a bunch that I have never used or used and didn't like. That said, I will definitely check out the 2Do app - sounds like a winner. Thanks for sharing.

Reply
Julie Bestry link
4/6/2021 11:45:18 pm

For a default app, Reminders sure is powerful. My favorite aspect of the iOS Reminders app is one that you didn't mention, and one that's not as advanced as I'd like, but it's the GEOFENCING attribute. You can not only set a reminder to tell you WHEN to do something, but where to do it. I use the "Remind me at a location" feature for all sorts of things. Because I often get home without thinking about food, I set the location to my bank so that whenever I'm at my bank (usually at the end of a business day), I am prompted to look across the parking lot (at my favorite little market) to remind me to consider getting dinner. I want to be more mindful, so I use the "Getting out of car" option for a moment of simple reflection.

Oh, and I had a flip phone until I got my *current* phone, an iPhone 6 that I got on New Year's Even 2015. I'm with you on sticking with tech until you need to change it!

Reply
Sheri Steed link
4/7/2021 07:23:49 am

Julie, thanks so much fir your response. I’m excited to start incorporating these other features into my routine and exploring all the functions!

Reply
Janet Barclay link
1/19/2023 08:05:30 am

I usually set reminders on my calendar events or tasks when I need one, but for really simple stuff, I use my reminders app.

Reply
Sheri Steed link
1/19/2023 11:04:10 am

That is what I like it for as well.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Archives

    November 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    June 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    September 2018

    Categories

    All
    Clutter
    Decision Making
    Decluttering
    DIY
    Donating
    Downsizing
    Family
    Goal Setting
    Holiday
    Motivation
    Moving
    Organization
    Priorities
    Productivity
    Recommendations
    Recycling
    Saving Money
    Spaces
    Special Needs
    Time Management
    Transitions
    Travel

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About Sheri
    • Contact
    • Services >
      • FAQ
      • The Organization Process
      • Packages & Plans
      • Presentations
      • Results
      • Why Hire an Organizer?
  • Organization Basics
    • Declutter Your Home >
      • Basics of Home Organization
      • Household Cleaning Schedule
      • Tips for a Quick Declutter
    • Basics of Decluttering >
      • 4 T's of Decluttering
      • Clutter vs Decor
      • Coming to Terms with Your Clutter Personality
      • Conquer Clutter
      • Principles of Organization
      • The Proven Process for Organizing Everything
      • Purge Like a Pro
      • Rules for Decluttering
      • Steps to Declutter
      • Systems for Decluttering
    • Organizing by Room >
      • Bathroom >
        • Bathroom Storage Solutions
        • DIY Bathroom Wall Storage
        • Declutter Hair Accessories
        • Declutter Your Makeup
        • Declutter Your Medicine Cabinet
      • Bedroom >
        • Bedroom Storage Solutions
        • How to Declutter Clothing
        • How to Organize Your Closet
      • Entry
      • Home Office >
        • Declutter Your Files
      • Kids' Rooms >
        • Toy Storage Tips
        • Toy Storage Options
        • Maintaining Kids' Rooms
      • Kitchen >
        • Primary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Secondary Kitchen Work Zones
        • Movable Kitchen Storage
        • How to Declutter Kitchen Cabinets
        • How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
        • Kitchen Cabinet Space Savers
        • How to Declutter a Refrigerator
        • Tips for Organizing a Refrigerator
        • Meal Planning
        • How to Organize Recipes
      • Pantry >
        • Pantry Inspiration
    • Storage Solutions >
      • Assessing Your Storage Needs
      • How to Create a Whole House Storage Plan
      • Storage Kits
      • Storage Unit Dos and Don'ts: An Organizer's Perspective
    • Information Management >
      • How to Establish an Information Management System
      • Declutter Papers
      • How to Organize with Lists
      • Deciding What Paperwork to Keep
    • Family >
      • How to Raise an Organized Child
      • Teaching Kids to Work
    • Productivity >
      • Stop Procrastinating and Declutter
      • The Myths of Multitasking
      • 7 Strategies for Single Tasking
    • Lifestyle >
      • College Prep >
        • College Packing List
        • Dorm Room Essentials
        • What Not to Take to College
      • Holiday Planning >
        • Declutter Your Holidays
        • Clutter-free Gift Giving
        • Give the Best Gifts
        • Organize Your Gift Giving
      • Preparing for Transition >
        • Aging with Grace and Purpose >
          • Estate Planning
          • Organizing for Alzheimer's Disease
        • Adult Children
      • Travel Planning >
        • Air Travel with Kids
        • Sightseeing with Kids
        • Tips for Care-free Travel
        • Traveling with Kids
    • Moving >
      • Creating a Household Inventory
      • Organize Your Move
      • Planning for a Move
      • Moving Options
      • Prepare for Movers
      • Working with Movers
      • Tips for Packing
      • Tips for Unpacking
  • Resources
    • Books >
      • Moving Made Easy
    • Challenges >
      • Get Rid of 100 Things in 100 Days
    • Newsletter
    • Product Recommendations >
      • Organization Gems Every Girl Needs
      • 12 Amazing Organization Products for Men
      • Fabulous Farmhouse Storage Solutions
      • Crazy Cool Products That Will Make You Want to Clean
      • Best Board Games for Beating Boredom
    • Donate Your Stuff >
      • Donate Books
      • Donate Clothes
      • Donate Craft Supplies
      • Donate DVDs & More
      • Donate or Recycle Electronics
      • Donate Furniture
      • Donate Musical Instruments
      • Donate School Supplies
      • Donate Sports Equipment
      • Donate Used Toys
    • Recycling Resources
    • Sell Your Stuff >
      • Garage Sale Organization
    • Swap Your Stuff
    • Setting Goals
    • Tools for Organizing >
      • Furniture >
        • Organize with Dressers
      • Wall Storage >
        • Organize with Pegboards
        • Personalized Pegboards
  • Blog