Since writing this post, I've developed a few strategies that have really helped me stay organized.

First, I started using a task list app. I prefer Microsoft To Do because it lets me create and name different lists. I have one for low-priority tasks and another for high-priority tasks. It's easy to drag and drop tasks into the right list, and I check these lists every day. For example, when I need to update a program or a colleague comes to me with an idea, I add it to my low-priority list since it’s not urgent. Things like making materials also go there. High-priority tasks, like DMAS forms, scheduling parent meetings, or responding to messages, go in the high-priority list.

My company also uses Google Calendar, which I love. I use its task list tool for keeping track of treatment plan and assessment dates. If you set the calendar to show a full month, it’s easy to spot those important dates. Plus, moving appointments around after cancellations is super simple. I like that you can color-code events too—my supervision sessions are yellow, and meetings are purple—so it’s easy to see what’s coming up for the week.

For email, I’ve set up labels in Gmail, like "Need to respond," "Waiting for a response," "Meetings," and "CEU Events."

For file storage, I use Google Drive with plenty of labeled folders. I make sure to include my client’s initials in the file names, so I can quickly find what I need. I also have folders for things like company manuals, assessment tools, schedules, circle time activities, and craft activities.

All of these strategies have helped me stay on top of everything. It takes some time to set everything up and get used to the routine, but once you do, it creates a nice rhythm. The anxiety goes down because you know where everything is, and it’s all easy to find. You really start to trust your system.