Timelines and Elephants

A goal is a dream with a timeline -- Weston Lyon

Welcome to Planner's Pointers! Today I am going to talk about what is a timeline and how it is used in meeting and event planning (and lots of other places). According to one dictionary I read a timeline is .. a sequence of related events arranged in chronological order and displayed along a line (usually drawn left to right or top to bottom). Another described as a management tool that described when items are to be completed and by whom. Both of these entries are really good explanations of what a timeline is. What I am writing about is what four things a timeline does for me as both a planner and in other aspects of my work life.

1. A timeline is one of the best ways to keep track of what needs to happen when. That is what organization is all about. Never think that just because you have done something many times you can keep things in your head. You will absolutely miss something if you try.

2. A timeline gives you peace of mind. You have an action plan and you know when tasks need to happen. When you have multiple committee doing 50 or so items a piece, a timeline is the only way you will keep thing happening.

3. A timeline is one way to help keep you within budget. You can order items well in advance so you are not paying for things as 24 hour shipping, or on site printing.

4. A good timeline carries the event forward. If you are one of those people who works best with deadlines, then timelines will be your best friend because you always know when tasks need to be completed.


Not use to using a timeline? It gets easier after you have created one a few times. Develop a generic timeline and then customize it as needed. That will be talked about next week.

How do timelines relate to elephants? One of the best sayings about getting tasks done is about how you eat an elephant. You eat it a bite at a time. A timeline is the bite at a time that helps you get things done.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

I have a great quote from writer,Nora Roberts.

If you don't go after what you want, you'll never have it. If you don't ask, the answer is always no. If you don't step forward, you're always in the same place.

What are your goals for the new year? New decade?

Web Site of the Week

Want to lose yourself in a website for a couple of hours? Go to http://www.corbinball.com

Corbin Ball is an award winning author, speaker and resident techie for the meetings industry. His website is full of ideas, whitepapers and some just for fun things you can see and do. All of it is free. Truly amazing.

Personally I have had the absolute pleasure of hearing Corbin speak to MPI(Meeting Professional International) members twice. Knowledgeable without being smug, his presentations have taught us to how technology can be used at meetings for best results.

Enjoy some of the videos, download some free forms, and read about some of the lastest ideas on technology in the meeting place.

Website of the Week

Looking for a great way to start a site search in an unfamiliar area go to www.officialtravelguide.com From there you are only choose the drop down menu that says "Search for you Perfect Vacation or Holiday spot" and go from there. A great way to find the Destination Marketing Association International (formerly called Convention and Visitors Bureau International) member in the region of your choice. Great start when you are looking for ideas.

That's the Planner's Pointer for today.

Looking for a quick read with a powerful impact? Check out Bonnie Budzowski's Clickety Clack: 86 Ways to Keep Your Speech on Track. Former president of the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Speakers Associationj and executive coach has delivered a winner If you do any sort of public speaking from doing a presentation at a work related meetin to paid professional speaker, this is a book for you. Each tip is a guidepost to doing a powerful peresentation. I like tip 55 best. Want to know what that is? Go to www.incrediblemessages.com If you have a Toastmaster member in your family -- this would make a great gift.

ZanaFest 2009 Saturday and Sunday Doors open at 10:00 am. www.zanafest.org for all details Drum Circle on Saturday morning at 11:00

Wedding Internet Site of the Month

www.weddingfavorsunlimited.com is a great site to get ideas for your wedding. Yes I know there are a lot of wedding sites out there some better than others -- this is one of them. With ideas from favors you can purchase and games for your bridal shower -- including some that you can download for free -- this site has a lot to offer. I have to admit that any website that says Cheap Bridal Shower Favor Gifts makes me curious. Have a great Labor Day weekend!