Planner Fun Plus

Do you often forget things or have trouble keeping track of what you need to do? Using a planner might help! It's a great place to write down important dates, tasks, and events, but what if you don't like planners or can't seem to use them regularly? Don't worry, there are ways to make using a planner easier and more enjoyable.

First, find a planner that works for you. There are many different types of planners available, from daily to weekly to monthly. You can even create your own planner by using a blank notebook and designing your own layout. Make it fun, and you'll be more likely to use it. Starting with a blank notebook is the perfect way to discover what kind of planner works best for you. Do you only need a monthly layout? Maybe a monthly layout and a place for weekly tasks? The notebook will help you find what you need.

Next, set aside some time each day or week to fill in your planner. You can even make it relaxing by drinking some tea or lighting a candle while you plan your week (or maybe loud music is more your thing!) By making it enjoyable, you'll want to use your planner more often.

If you still can't seem to use a planner, consider using digital tools instead, there's no shame in that! There are many apps and programs available that can help you stay organized and keep track of your tasks and appointments. Go with the most simple apps you can find. Maybe all you need is Google Calendar for your appointments and a to-do list for tasks.

Remember, using a planner is not about being perfect or getting everything done. It's about giving yourself a sense of control and reducing stress in your life. So, don't be too hard on yourself if you forget to write something down. Just try again and keep going. It's your planner; make it work for you. Your handwriting doesn't have to be perfect and it only needs stickers and washi tape if you want it! The important thing, when it comes right down to it, is getting things done!

Using a planner can help you stay organized and reduce stress, there's a lot of peace in knowing that you're not going to let anything slip between the cracks. It may take some time to find the right one and get used to using it, but take your time and don't settle. Try these tips and see if they won't help you become a planner enthusiast like me!

No Comments

Your planner life isn't over once your kids leave home and you become an empty nester.

Are you an (almost) empty nester with a young adult at home who's either in college all day or working full-time? Do you find yourself alone at home with nothing but your thoughts and a planner? Even if you're not as busy as you used to be, you can still make the most out of your planner and boost your productivity. With a little planning and organization, you can take advantage of the flexibility and freedom that comes with an empty nest lifestyle. I'd like to share some tips and strategies on how to effectively use your planner to organize your day, stay on top of your to-do list, and make the most out of your newfound freedom.

One thing to keep in mind when using a planner in this unique situation is that there is a lot of flexibility and freedom with an empty nest lifestyle. With no longer having the demands of a full house, you have more time to focus on your own interests and hobbies. So, when scheduling your day in your planner, be sure to include time for self-care activities like reading, exercising, or learning something new.

Meal Planning Made Easy: Using Your Planner to Save Time

Another tip is to use your planner to plan out your meals for the week. With fewer mouths to feed, you can experiment with new recipes or take the time to plan out your meals in advance to save time and reduce stress. If you have a food box subscription, you can use your planner to schedule delivery dates. I'd also suggest keeping a list of your favorite "Meals for Two" to make it easier to plan when you don't know what to prepare.

I'm not a social butterfly, but some are about social activities! Use your planner to schedule coffee dates or lunches with friends or plan fun outings like going to the movies or trying out a new restaurant. It's important to stay connected with others, especially when you have more time to do so. I'm sure another empty-nester would enjoy talking to someone who is experiencing the same thing as they are.

Keeping Your Planner Front and Center: The Importance of Visibility

Last tip: make sure to keep your planner in a location that is easily seen and easy to get to, like on your desk or kitchen counter. "Out of sight, out of mind" is so true! I often think a planner can fail you only if you don't look at it!

So, using a planner as an almost empty nester can be a game-changer for your efficiency and overall well-being. The first thing you should do is grab that planner, schedule in some self-care and social activities, plan out your meals, and get ready to make the most out of your newfound freedom and flexibility! Approaching the empty nest years is a bit hard (a topic for a different blog), but having a hobby that has me playing with planners and finding new and different ways to use them has helped me out a lot.

No Comments

Ways to prioritize your tasks and get the most important done first.

After mentioning prioritizing tasks in a previous post, I did a little research on different ways to do that. As suspected there are several different methods for different preferences. Here are a few ways that I have found (my current favorite is listed last and I shared how that works for me):

Use a color coding system: Assign different colors to tasks based on their priority level. For example, use red for urgent tasks that need to be done immediately, yellow for important tasks that can wait a little longer, and green for less urgent or low-priority tasks.
Make a to-do list: Write down all the tasks you need to complete and organize them in order of importance. Start with the most important tasks and work your way down.
Use Symbols or icons: Use symbols or icons to indicate the priority level of each task. For example, use a star to indicate urgent tasks, a circle to indicate important tasks, and a triangle to indicate low-priority tasks.
Use the Eisenhower Matrix This method involves dividing your tasks into four quadrants based on their urgency and importance. The top left quadrant is for urgent and important tasks that need to be done immediately, the top right quadrant is for important but not urgent tasks, the bottom left quadrant is for urgent but not important tasks, and the bottom right quadrant is for tasks that are neither urgent nor important.
Use a numbering system: Number your tasks in order of importance or urgency. For example, assign the number 1 to the most important task, 2 to the next most important, and so on.

Bonus: Use the Franklin Planner Method: This method was developed by Benjamin Franklin and involves prioritizing tasks based on their importance and urgency. The Franklin Planner is a paper-based system that includes a daily to-do list, a calendar, and space for notes and ideas.

The Franklin Planner Method, as I have mentioned in a previous post, is what I currently use to organize my tasks. They suggest you start by identifying your most important goals and tasks. Then, break down each goal or task into smaller, actionable steps. Next, assign each task a priority level based on its importance and urgency. The Franklin Planner system uses a letter-based system to indicate priority:

A tasks: These are tasks that are essential and must be done today.
B tasks: These are tasks that are important but can be done later.
C tasks: These are tasks that are nice to do but not essential.

Going even further, they suggest you organize all the A's B's C's. Here's what mine looked like today:

A1 make eye appt
B1 renew domain
A3 make menu
A2 order baby shower gift

The reason they are out of order is that I listed the tasks as they came to me - brain-dumping, if you will. I'll forget one if I have to list them in order of importance. By prioritizing your tasks based on their importance and urgency, you can ensure that you are making progress towards your goals and getting the most important things done each day.

Remember, the key to prioritizing tasks is to focus on what is most important and urgent, and to break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable steps. By using one or more of these methods, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and staying on top of your workload.

No Comments

Are you tired of dealing with the limitations of paper planners? Do you find yourself constantly struggling to stay on top of your schedule and to-do lists? If so, you're not alone. While paper planners have been a popular way to stay organized for decades, they do come with their fair share of problems. But don't worry - there are solutions to these problems that can help you stay on track and manage your time more effectively.

The Top 5 Problems with Paper Planners and How to Solve Them

Problem 1: Limited Space

Paper planners have a finite amount of space, which can make it challenging to keep track of all your appointments, deadlines, and tasks. One solution is to use abbreviations and symbols to save space, or to use a planner with more pages or sections. Another option is to combine your paper planner with a digital one, such as Google Calendar, so you have more space to record your schedule.

Problem 2: Lack of Flexibility

Once something is written down in a paper planner, it can be difficult to make changes or move things around. To avoid this problem, use pencil instead of pen, or use a planner with erasable pages. You can also try using sticky notes or washi tape to make it easier to move things around.

Problem 3: Risk of Loss

Paper planners are physical objects that can be lost, damaged, or stolen. To minimize this risk, consider keeping your planner in a secure location, such as a locked drawer or cabinet. You can also make digital backups of your planner using apps like Evernote or OneNote.

Problem 4: Inability to Synchronize

Paper planners don't automatically sync with other devices, which can make it hard to keep all your appointments and tasks in one place. One solution is to use a planner app that can sync with your phone or computer, such as Trello or Asana. You can also use a planner that has a digital companion app, such as the Passion Planner or Panda Planner.

Problem 5: Difficulty Sharing

Paper planners can be hard to share with others, which can make it challenging to coordinate schedules with colleagues, family members, or friends. One solution is to use a shared online calendar, such as Google Calendar or Outlook, so everyone can see each other's schedules. You can also take a photo of your planner and share it digitally with others, or use a planner that has a detachable or shareable page.

Tools and Apps to Make Planning Easier and More Efficient

In addition to the solutions outlined above, there are also many tools and apps that can make planning easier and more efficient. Some popular options include:

Google Calendar: A free online calendar that can be accessed from any device and can be shared with others.
Trello: A project management app that allows you to create to-do lists and track progress on tasks.
Asana: A team collaboration app that allows you to assign tasks to team members and track progress on projects.
Evernote: A note-taking app that allows you to capture and organize ideas, lists, and notes.
OneNote: A digital notebook app that allows you to capture and organize notes, drawings, and web clippings.

Evernote is an app that I have personally used and have found it useful. OneNote is one of many digital notebook app (you all will remember my favorite is Noteshelf. I've not used any team collaboration apps, simply because it's just me, but I'm all about being able to communicate with others where everyone is on the same page.

By implementing some of the solutions and tips discussed in this post, perhaps you can overcome these problems and take your planning to the next level. Remember, the goal is not to completely abandon paper planners but to find a system that works for you and helps you stay organized in your personal and professional life. So, say goodbye to paper planner problems and hello to a more organized and efficient way of planning!

No Comments

Meal Planning Made Easy: Using Your Planner to Save Time

Keeping Your Planner Front and Center: The Importance of Visibility

The Top 5 Problems with Paper Planners and How to Solve Them

Tools and Apps to Make Planning Easier and More Efficient

About me

New In The Shop

Categories

Blog Archive

Contact Form