I've found that a burst of activity, inspired by last-minute panic, has worked suprisingly well since grade school.

The Franklin Planner is a system where you use a 'notebook' to document and prioritize your daily activities.

Finally getting around to answering this...Mostly by making lists, using a day planner and reminder software. Modern life requires that we are responsible ( or not) for dozens of details -- not just paying the rent, but yearly check-ups, oil changes, meetings large and small, updating, fixing, etc. Lists, son, lists!

tro