Lesson Learned - Tracking Stuff

Earlier this year, I discussed tracking home improvements.  I am a big fan of tracking all sorts of things.  I have a few spreadsheets with tabs across the bottom. Each tab is something I am tracking. 

For example:

• Vacations we have taken - including years, stops made, people that went with us and various small notes.
• This helps when sorting pictures, speaking to others about travel options for them, and just remembering the good times.
• Jobs I have had - including company and supervisor names, dates, general job duties and other relevant notes.
• Helpful when job hunting or speaking to a headhunter.
  
• Special projects I have completed for work - including dates and any special links or notes to help remind me of the overall scope of the project.
• Very helpful when completing my year end review or just mentoring others with their project work.
• Medications I take or previously took - including dates and side effect notes.
• Helpful when speaking to a new doctor or referring a medication to someone.
• Useful websites - including links, descriptions and notes.
• Helps if I need to pull a copy of my electric bill, remember my login information for posting blogs, or find my mortgage account number.
• Tax documents needed - including what docs I needed for the previous years.
• Very helpful to ensure I send all necessary documentation to my accountant.
• Housesitting duties - including how often they need to be completed and any notes pertaining to the chore.
• Helpful in knowing what to share with a house sitter when we travel.
• Paint colors - including the bar code number, color name and finish, and the room(s) painted in that color.
• Helpful if I need to buy touch-up paint or what to recommend the color to someone.
• Christmas gift tracking - including who received what and where I purchased it.
• Great for ensuring I don't give someone the same gift two years in a row and also very helpful for coming up with ideas for gifts.

It is quick and easy to go into these spreadsheets and update the tabs vs trying to build this information on the fly (usually in a hurry and then mistakes are made and information is missed).  And, I am amazed how often I actually do use the information, especially since it is at my fingertips.

If you liked this blog post, please check out:

Tracking Home Improvement

Capture Information As It Flies By