Lesson 3 - Compiling Critical Data

Lesson 3 Getting the Critical Data

This is where you start adding important contact and personal data to your binder.

• Print off an Emergency Contacts list like this one: http://organizedhome.com/sites/default/files/image/pdf/phone_emergency_information.pdf Fill it out and put it in your binder inside a sheet protector.
• Print off an Important Contacts list like this: https://www.home-storage-solutions-101.com/support-files/contact-list-template.pdf  and fill it out.
• You can also add contacts like: library, mechanic, electrician, vet, plumber, butcher, handy man, bank etc. to this spreadsheet: https://organizedhome.com/sites/default/files/image/pdf/phone_important_numbers.pdf
• Next print off and fill out a health history form like this one: https://www.ama-assn.org/system/files/2018-10/adult_history.pdf
• Be sure to list your blood type and any vaccinations you've had. It's smart to have a copy of all of your medical records as well. You can request these from your doctor. 
• Put all of these forms, filled in, into your binder.

It is vital for you to know and have easy access to all of this information. Your parents should have most of this for you. Start to build a spreadsheet for important contacts and trusted service providers by asking your family, friends and seeking recommendations from those in the field. 

Don't progress to Lesson 4 until this is complete.

Lesson 4

Establishing a Control Journal

You might find your life a little or a lot out of control. The side effects of this are anxiety, loss of productivity and stress. There is 1 thing in life that you can control and that is YOU. So, take control of what you do, what you think and who you interact with. 

Let's focus on what you do. The most successful people are highly disciplined in what they do: with their time, their body and mind. These are the people who get good grades, go on to their next chosen journey, succeed and go on to the next. They are usually fairly happy because they don't have to worry about things like finances or job security to the same extent as others who lack discipline.

There are many books you could devour to inspire you. Two that come to mind are:

• The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin https://www.amazon.com/Franklins-Autobiography-Eclectic-English-Classics-ebook/dp/B0052GE5GC/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1YCF41HG6GFDE&dchild=1&keywords=autobiography+of+benjamin+franklin&qid=1600348343&sprefix=autobiography+of+benj%2Caps%2C197&sr=8-3
• The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: https://www.amazon.com/Habits-Highly-Effective-People-Powerful/dp/1982137274/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1E8500911WVNH&dchild=1&keywords=7+habits+of+highly+effective+people&qid=1600348410&sprefix=7+ha%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-3

There is a lady who has a dedicated sight to getting your life in control. And she has fine tuned it so that you can even get alerts to remind you to take care of tasks. She goes by Fly Lady and her Control Journal is where I want you to start your journey to getting control of your life. Go to: http://www.flylady.net/i/pdf/student_coj.pdf

Read this and fill it out. Think hard about how you can construct your day and week to work best to accomplish your goals. Come on back for Lesson 5 when you've gotten this done. 

Life Lessons from Randy Pausch, professor at Carnegie Mellon University - Achieving Your Childhood Dreams

So many great life lessons in here. Plan to take and hour and 15 minutes to watch and absorb his "Last Lecture."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo#action=share

Lesson 2 - Creating a Schedule for Successful Life Habits

Lesson 2  -  Scheduling the Finer Details

Now that you've gotten your planner and filled out your fixed schedule, obligations and celebrations you can move on to organizing that part of your life many let slip into the endless electronic streaming invading our short time on this beautiful green earth.

Don't get me wrong, I love binging on my favorite shows just as much as the next person but like all things it can become the lazy habit that smothers productivity and our relationships. You must be in control of and actively MANAGING your time. If you don't someone or something else will. 

Seize the day! They are numbered - and that's ok.

Now, schedule time for these things. Yes, schedule the time for them

• Self care 

This might be your hardest thing to follow through on but it will be the most important thing you do in order to keep this miraculous engine of a human body finely tuned to accomplish all the tasks we are expecting it to do. Being healthy makes all the difference in your quality of life. Here are some suggestions for what you can schedule:

1. Exercise and stretching
2. Meditation
3. Hair cuts and nail appointments
4. Massage
5. Friends' night out
6. Call/text/write a friend day
7. Meal planning and prep day (for more nutritional habits)
8. Long bath alone
9. Date night
10. Volunteering- I'll have a whole lesson just on this one.

• Daily Good Habits - I'll have a lesson on this one too

• Daily and Weekly Chores
1. Laundry days
2. Zone Cleaning days and times
3. Meal prep
4. Homework/ study/ job prep/ cont. education 
5. Yard work
6. Household maintenance (weekly/ monthly)

• Documenting

Keep track of your daily phone calls and trouble shooting (the business of life) in the daily weekly view of your planner. Use it like a journal. If I have to call to dispute a bill I have my planner open to that date for the daily (more space to write) and write down the time of the call, who I spoke to, what was said and any phone numbers or confirmation numbers. This is called documentation and will benefit you over and over again when you need details and names. Best piece of advice I was given (by my husband) when I started my first professional job as a buyer.

Ok. That's A LOT to do so don't come back for lessons 3 and 4 until these items are in your planners and you start using it as a journal to document as well. If you think you can keep track of all of these things from your phone, you can, BUT it's not the same as using your planner and seeing your month(s) laid out for you and being able to document as you troubleshoot over the phone.  This daily practice of using your planner will also get you into the habit of looking ahead, planning and goal setting.

Lesson 1 - Get Organized!

Get Organized!

If you want to be in control of your life you have to know what it is that your are doing, going to be doing and want to be doing.

With all the hectic activities and work schedules you need to be able to make sense of it by writing it down. This is best done by having a planner.
That's step 1 in getting prepared to independently handle everything life throws at you.

YOU have to be able to manage your time and activities, well.

So, go out and buy a planner.
One similar to this  planner from Target but that you really love the look and feel of.

You'll be using it all the time and you want to enjoy the experience of using it. Aldi's, Wal-Mart, Target, Marshalls, and many other stores have them from $8 to $25.

Get one that has a month view, followed by daily/weekly pages and with to do list areas.

Next, sit down with your family and fill in all of your appointments, celebrations and obligations.

Be sure to fill out the SCHEDULE area.

You've got to get into the habit of cultivating a good working schedule for your lifestyle and education/job. Start with the basics though, the fixed obligations like work, lessons or school.

Below you will find the notes for my first day of class:

Adulting Week 1 Class Lesson

Requirements for Class:

• Pay attention
• Take notes onto handouts and into notebook/ planner
• Use a highlighter for handouts
• Write down assignments in your planner
• Be on time
• You’ve paid for my time - use it ALL. I won’t repeat what you’ve missed - that’s wasting others’ time.
• Punctuality is a key part of “growing up” and attaining success. Nothing says “slackard” like being late (whether or not it’s true).
• Good attendance
• I cover material NOT in the handouts
• Again, you paid for the class - make good use of your money
• Bring your binder, a pen and a highlighter to EVERY class
• Put the handouts directly into the binder and label the tab each class (that way the vast majority of  your grade is taken care of. 
• Bring your planner to this class and ALL your classes. 
• Record assignments and due dates
• Have it handy to reference for your notes
• What do with your planner (8 ½ x 11” spiral bound with month and daily views)
• First fill in important dates 
• Lessons
• Dr. appointments
• Meetings
• Work schedule
• Class schedule
• Family vacations and birthdays
• Holiday/ Holy Days
• Due dates for tests, papers, assignments
• Maintenance items (car, apartment, cleaning)
• Familiarize yourself with everything it has to offer in its sections
• Consult your planner every evening and every morning
• Put your daily to do list on the daily page
• Mark off the items you have accomplished
• Remind yourself of daily appointments and deadlines - set a time to get it done by
• Look ahead in the month and the next month to remind yourself of what’s coming up
• So much anxiety can be alleviated by just writing down what needs to be done and making a plan for getting it done. Makes our “requirements” much more concrete and attainable rather than “looming” and being in fear of forgetting something.
• Prepare the small tasks to accomplish the bigger tasks assigned
• Most projects can be broken down into smaller tasks done over a larger period of time. This gives you a sense of accomplishment and thus confidence along the way. “Don’t put off for tomorrow what can be done today.” This kind of preparation leaves room for life’s little emergencies that happen along the way. 
• Include daily prep on your daily page (might look like the following:)
• Get books and binders set out for school tomorrow - set by bedroom door
• Check for assignments and make sure they are in the appropriate binders to hand in to the teachers
• Take my shower before 7 am or the night before - setting out my clothes for the next day
• Get chores done by 7:30 am or the night before
• Tell mom or dad where I need to be and when tomorrow. Ask how I can help us leave on time.
• Pack lunch the night before (something healthy)
• Check mark each thing you’ve prepared for (you’ll sleep better knowing it’s done and you are prepared.)
• Write down inspirations in the notes section. This can be your project page (under construction - documentation)
• Don’t forget about it! Take it with you and keep it out on your desk when you are home.

Why Plan?

• Puts your goals and responsibilities into focus
• Allows you to see where you need/ want to go
• Creates a pathway to follow
• Reduces risk of failure by outlining what needs to be done and when
• Motivates you to take action to accomplish your tasks/ goals
• Reduces anxiety of being overwhelmed by the looming ‘unknown”
• Creates peace of mind knowing you are accomplishing what needs to be done
• Allows for you to be thoughtful of others’ important dates and to be a better friend/ family by scheduling time with your loved ones. Shows you make them a priority.
• Creates lifelong good habits which then leads to success

Go out and get it done before moving to Lesson 2 - Completing your Schedule (making time for great habits and self care)

Preamble: Lessons on Independent Living for the Young and Clueless

Welcome to my Independent Living - Successfully Lessons!


I teach an Independent Living Class at our Homeschool Co-Op in South County St. Louis.

Cultivating the lessons from authoritative sources has been a labor of love and one I wish to share to my community of educators, students and friends wanting access to this treasure trove of information.

You will find weekly posts with comments about the subject matter and associated links. I hope this will enrich your journey through Independent Success.

Please be sure to follow the lessons IN ORDER for maximum absorption and be sure to complete each lesson before carrying on to the next. Accomplishing each step is important to the final outcome.