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What's Your Planning Personality?


1. How do you keep track of photographs?
a. The day after an event at school or family vacation, I label and date all my photos on the computer. Then I select my favorites and print them to be placed in an album.
b. All my photos are organized in folders on my desktop. Usually a few weeks after I take them, I’ll print out my favorites.
c. I’m constantly deleting pictures from my memory card to make room because I rarely take time to download them to my computer.

2. The best way to describe my room is
a. an organized paradise. I have my clothes hanging according to the order in which I’ll wear them, and my books are organized on the shelf according to when I plan to read them.
b. a typical teen room. I definitely have some shoes under the bed, but I always know where to find all my old Brio magazines.
c. a federal state of emergency. I have clothes piled up, papers scattered across my desk and some cups and plates that need to go back to the kitchen. (Maybe I can pass off the mold as a science experiment.)

3. When you come home from school, what’s the first thing you do with your backpack?
a. I take it directly to my study area, review my nightly assignments and set out all the appropriate materials.
b. I throw it in the direction of my study area. I’ll check through my homework after dinner.
c. I drop it by the door. I’ll go back to retrieve it when it’s time to do homework.

4. How do you keep track of your homework assignments?
a. I keep all my assignments written in a special homework planner. I list the subject, assignment description, books to bring home and due date. I start at the top and work my way down. As soon as I finish, I check it off and move on to the next task.
b. I try to use a homework planner, but I don’t always write down recurring assignments or page numbers that I can usually remember. I always keep track of my major assignments.
c. It’s all in my head. I can usu ally think through each subject and remember what I need to complete. If not, I can always call a classmate for the assignment.

5. How do you keep track of your friends’ contact information?
sticky notes a. I keep all numbers, addresses, emails and birthdays in my Palm Pilot, computer database or such.
b. I have a cute address book that I use to write down my friends’ information.
c. I keep track of information on sticky notes and scraps of paper.

6. When meeting friends for a movie,
a. I’m always the first to arrive. I like to be a few minutes early so I don’t risk a sell-out!
b. I usually show up right on time. I try to have a couple minutes to spare for a concession stand stop.
c. I slip in right in time for the start of the show. Who needs to wait around wasting time?

7. How do you keep track of your money?
a. Most of my money is in a checking or savings account. I keep track of each deposit or withdrawal using a computer software program, online banking or by recording all transactions in my checkbook register. If I want to make a big purchase, I figure out a budget and try to limit my spending accordingly.
b. My money is in a little safe in my room. I take out what I need, but I always try to keep a certain amount saved up for special occasions.
c. If I have it, I can spend it! No need to keep track of anything.

8. When planning a sleepover with friends,
a. one to two weeks ahead of time, I make a list of friends to invite, plan all the snacks, pick out good movies and write down a schedule for the evening.
b. I invite my friends a few days before the party and think of some fun games we could play.
c. I call or e-mail my friends the day before and play it by ear once everyone arrives.

9. Describe your locker at school.
messy locker a. I can always find exactly what I need. I hang my jacket on the hook. I line up my books in order of my class periods. And I keep an extra umbrella, just in case! I also put in a little magnetic mirror so I can check my hair between classes.
b. I manage to fit all my books and personal belongs in my locker, but sometimes I wish I kept things a little neater.
c. Yikes! I need to do a major clean out! I have old homework assignments, a couple of jackets and probably some overdue library books shoved in there.

10. How would your friends describe your organization skills?
a. My friends always want to know how I keep track of everything so well. In my group of friends, I’m definitely the one who keeps everyone in line. They jokingly refer to me as the “neat freak.”
b. My friends would say I’m good about getting all my homework done, but they’re surprised at how often I forget the little details.
c. My friends know not to put me in charge of details. I bet they would laugh and say I’m the spontaneous one of the bunch! (I think that’s their nice way of saying I don’t plan ahead.)

Count the number of times you circled a, b or c. Which letter has the highest score?

Mostly a’s: Planning Paige
You’re a girl that thrives on planning ahead and maintaining order in your life. Your planning abilities allow you to prioritize your activities. You never have to waste time looking for a lost phone number or your friend’s borrowed sweater. Take comfort in knowing your decisions are well thought out and carefully executed.

Be careful not to stress too much over details. You may miss out on unexpected opportunities! Try setting aside one Saturday and clearing your calendar. Scroll through your phone list and call old friends. Take a walk outside, but don’t have a predetermined route. Go wherever your interest takes you. Invite friends to meet you at the local coffee shop and try a drink you’ve never heard of.

Mostly b’s: Middle-of-the- Road Megan
You’re a girl with a balanced mix of planning and free- spiritedness. You keep your priorities in order, but you also understand that schedules are often “suggestions” that may change at a moment’s notice.

Although you tend toward the middle, take opportunities to explore each extreme! Try taking detailed notes in history class and seeing how your test scores are affected. If you’re used to following the crowd, be the first to suggest a silly weekend activity!

Mostly c’s: Free-Spirited Frances
You’re a girl that appreciates her freedom! Your go- with-the-flow spirit allows you to experience the fun thrills life has to offer. Friends know they can always count on you to join them in a last minute adventure. You feel constrained by restrictions on your creativity and seek ways to express yourself on your own terms.

Evaluate certain areas in your life and determine if you need to start focusing on the details. Do you often forget homework assignments? Do your friends get frustrated when you lose track of time? Ask a detail-oriented friend to share some of her organizing secrets!


This article appeared in Brio magazine in October 2005. Copyright © 2005 Kerri Pritchard. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.

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