# how do you keep track of calls you need to make? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 19, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307 "2003-08-19T22:22:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![constantine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3bc359/32.png) [@constantine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/constantine)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/1 "2003-08-19T22:22:40Z")
What is your system (do you have a system?) for keeping track of phone calls you need to make or emails you need to send? Do you have a tickler system or something for phone calls? Is there any software you would recommend for this? I find my memory is unreliable. There are a number of people I “keep meaning to call” for either business or personal reasons, but it keeps slipping my mind. Sometimes I make a mental note that I should call or email someone, say every 3 months, but I need a more systematic way to stay on top of this. Outlook is fine for keeping track of phone number, email addresses, etc., but is there a way to set it to remind me to check in with someone, say, every few months? ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/2 "2003-08-19T22:31:51Z")
I keep the message on my phone or the e-mail in my inbox until I return it. 80% effective. ---
**Author:** ![Electronic\_Chaos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Electronic\_Chaos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Electronic_Chaos)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/3 "2003-08-19T22:40:45Z")
I just call/email whenever the idea strikes me. Speaking of which _picks up phone_ ---
**Author:** ![ENugent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/4af34b/32.png) [@ENugent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ENugent)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/4 "2003-08-19T23:24:41Z")
Set up a recurring Outlook task to remind you to call every three months (or however long it is). When you check it off as completed, a new one will regenerate three months from the completion date. ---
**Author:** ![CBCD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9fc348/32.png) [@CBCD](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CBCD)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/5 "2003-08-19T23:42:35Z")
I use Shadowplan from CodeJedi. A teriffic piece of software for keeping track of the things I have to do, the things I want to do, the things I’ll get around to some day. It runs an a Palm OS. [http://www.codejedi.com/](http://www.codejedi.com/) ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/6 "2003-08-19T23:43:28Z")
I use **NoClueBoy** ’s method most of the time. If the list gets long, or messages are particularly urgent, or if my schedule is hectic and I might forget, I make a written list and check it off as I go. Pretty low-tech, but I can usually rely on my very good memory. I also use a hard-copy desk calendar for all my events/deadlines/stuff to remember. It fits in my purse (for the rare times I take it with me) and doesn’t need batteries. I am both a geek and a Luddite. ---
**Author:** ![AbbySthrnAccent](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/eb9ed0/32.png) [@AbbySthrnAccent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AbbySthrnAccent)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2003, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-keep-track-of-calls-you-need-to-make/196307/7 "2003-08-19T23:52:24Z")
l use my [planner.](http://shopping.franklincovey.com/shopping/images/products/lrg/24218_lrg.jpg) It’s not a hard system to learn and used correctly you remind yourself. (Make a call, check it off, plan the next call for a tentative date, move forward as necessary until you make the call.)