You might be thinking, Why should I bother with a system for birthdays and anniversaries when I already have Facebook or LinkedIn doing the job for me? Here’s the thing: not everyone is on social media. And what if you decide to take a break from it? You could unintentionally disappoint friends and loved ones by missing their special days. That’s why having your own failsafe system for reminders can be a lifesaver!
Setting up this system is simple, but there are a few specifics to keep in mind:
- Create a Separate Calendar
Avoid cluttering your business or work calendar with personal reminders. Most leading calendar apps allow you to create multiple calendars—make use of this feature. - Use All-Day Events
Set these reminders as day-specific, all-day events so they stand out without interfering with your daily schedule. - Enable Annual Recurrence
When you add these events, set them to recur annually. This way, you won’t have to worry about updating them every year—it’s all automatic. - Adopt a Gradual Approach
Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to add every birthday or anniversary in one go. Instead, make it a habit to add events as you learn about them. Over time, with minimal effort, you’ll build a robust “asset” of important dates. - Note Key Milestones
If you know the year of birth, marriage, or any other milestone, include it in the event details. A specific message like, “Best wishes on 25 years of marriage!” feels much more meaningful than a generic “Happy anniversary!”
As we discussed the importance of carefully choosing what to add to our calendars, birthdays and anniversaries are definitely top contenders.
With this simple system in place, you’ll always be ready to celebrate the people who matter most—no matter what!
