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! 

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

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

From February 13, 2005:  I enjoy reading posts that suggest new ways to use my planner, such as "7 Things That You Aren't Writing Down" and "A Planner Idea List - Or, Creative Uses for Using Multiple Planners". Recently, while watching the final episode of a Netflix show, I learned that a decision about a new season would be made in autumn 2015. Concerned that I might forget about the show by then, I decided to document it in my planner. I wrote the show's name with a "?" under September on my future pages.

I have discovered another handy trick that helps me remember to use free Redbox codes. Despite having the code saved on my phone, I frequently forget about it. To solve this issue, I now jot down the code in red on my weekly planner page. Having the code in plain sight throughout the day serves as a reminder that I have a complimentary rental available, making it easier for me to remember to use it. [Does Redbox still use codes?  Regardless, this would work with any code].

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):

 Coming Wednesday!

The "From the Archives" blog series features valuable content from previous blog posts, covering organization tips, productivity hacks, and other relevant topics. Despite some outdated links, the ideas and insights presented in each post remain useful and applicable today. Whether you're a longtime or new reader, the series offers a chance to discover some of our best past content.

Don't miss our first "From the Archives" post this Wednesday and rediscover some of our best content from the past!

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 

 

 

Being thankful is so important because it keeps us from becoming killjoys and helps us appreciate the good stuff in our lives. Plus, who wants to hang around with a grump all the time? Keeping a gratitude list is like making a happy list that reminds us of all the things we're grateful for, like pizza, new highlighters, and the fact that our parents haven't yet embarrassed us in front of our friends. By practicing gratitude, we can train our brains to focus on the positive and feel more fulfilled. So, let's get our gratitude on and be thankful for all the awesomeness in our lives!

I have a confession to make that will not surprise most of you: I am a planner addict. I love everything about them - the stickers, the templates, the pens, and of course, the aesthetics. But sometimes, I find myself getting so caught up in making my planner look pretty that I forget its true purpose.

You see, a planner is meant to be a tool for planning your day and keeping track of important information. It's supposed to help us prioritize our tasks and remind us of things we might otherwise forget. But how often do we actually use our planners for these purposes?

For me, all appointments and events that have a specific time go on the monthly page. This is the most important section for me, as it gives me a clear overview of what's coming up. I may or may not write them on the weekly page, depending on how busy my schedule is. But regardless, the monthly page is always a must.

Prioritizing Purpose Over Aesthetics

1. Color Coding: Assigning a different color for each category of tasks can make it easier to see what needs to be done at a glance. I don't use a lot of color coding in my planner, but I always use green for items related to paying bills, payday, and anything else that has to do with money. I also use red when I have an important or urgent task that I cannot overlook.
2. Use Stickers: Adding fun stickers to your planner can make it more visually appealing and motivating. You can use stickers to highlight important events, mark deadlines, or simply decorate your pages.
3. Set Goals: Writing down your goals in your planner can help you stay focused and motivated. Break down larger goals into smaller, achievable tasks, and track your progress along the way.  Try a monthly review of what worked and what didn't and adjust accordingly.
4. Make Lists: Lists are one of the best ways to keep track of things that need to be done. Whether it's a to-do list for the day, a grocery list, or a list of books to read, writing things down can help you stay organized.  It's especially fun when you can cross something off your list!
5. Keep it Simple: Don't overcomplicate your planner with unnecessary details (and this is easy to do). Stick to the basics and use your planner as a tool to help you stay on top of things.  Make it your own and don't try to keep up with what everyone else is doing in their planners.
6. Use a Weekly Spread: Many planners come with a weekly spread that allows you to see your schedule for the entire week at a glance. Use this space to plan out your week and make sure you don't miss any important deadlines or appointments.  Sometimes I have to make a note to remind myself to look at my weekly spread.
7. Add a Habit Tracker: Keeping track of your habits can help you form new ones or break bad ones. Use a habit tracker to keep track of things like exercise, water intake, or meditation.  I don't do this all the time, but if I get enough days in, it helps me see where I'm trending in the habits I'm wanting to establish (or conquer!)
8. Use Washi Tape: Washi tape is a decorative tape that comes in a variety of colors and patterns. Use it to add borders to your pages, mark important events, or create fun page dividers.  This can be fun if you really don't have many plans and just want to stay busy in your planner.  When I do this, I look for pages in the past that don't have much on this and try to "prettify my planner".
9. Create a Brain Dump Page: A brain dump page is a place to jot down all of your thoughts and ideas. Use it to capture ideas as they come to you, and then refer back to it later when you have more time to flesh them out.  You can't go wrong with a brain dump.  I usually have a running list going but when my brain feels unusually cluttered, I pull out a clean sheet of paper and start pouring out the words.
10. Make it Portable: If you're always on the go, consider using a smaller planner that you can easily take with you. Look for planners that fit in your purse or tote bag and have a durable cover to protect them.  Really great when you're away from your planner and you need to make some sort of appointment.
11. Use Sticky Notes: Sticky notes are a great way to add temporary reminders to your planner. Use them to mark important pages or events, or to add notes to your pages. When I'm using my paper planner, I use tons of these!
12. Don't Be Afraid to Customize: Your planner should work for you, so don't be afraid to customize it to fit your needs. Add pages, change the layout, or experiment with different pens and markers until you find a system that works for you.

Planning is like having a map to help you get to your destination. But just like how different people prefer different routes to get somewhere, different people prefer different ways to plan their work.

So, it's important to try different planning methods until you find the one that works best for you. Don't worry if you don't get it right the first time, it's normal. Every time you try a new method, you'll get closer to finding the perfect one for you.

Remember to always check if your planning method is still working for you because things change, and you might need to adjust your plan. With the right planning method, you'll be able to work more efficiently and achieve your goals.

Say Goodbye to Chaos with the Right Digital Planner

As someone who always has a lot of things on my mind, I've come to rely on my tablet to keep my life organized. Whether it's jotting down quick reminders or planning out my week, having a digital planner at my fingertips has made all the difference. But finding the perfect planner wasn't easy.  It often felt like I was searching for a needle in a haystack, endlessly scrolling through options and trying out different formats until I found the one that truly fit my needs. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to determine which one will be the right fit. Nonetheless, my persistence paid off, and I can confidently say that my digital planner has been an absolute lifesaver.

My personal go-to app is NoteShelf, which I've gushed about in my blog post "7 Reasons Why NoteShelf is a Top Notch App for Digital Planning". If you haven't already chosen an annotation app, give it a try - it might just change your life.

From Pinterest to Etsy: Finding Your Ideal Digital Planner Made Easy

 

My preferred daily planner format in my Filofax is a two-page spread per day. While I have utilized Franklin planner inserts, I have also created my own. I like having my tasks and appointments listed on the left-hand side. A dedicated note page on the right-hand side.

As I considered if I needed a two-page spread every day, I explored the different ways to use a second page. I did a lot of research and kept a running list of ideas. Here's what I learned.