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Last updated on September 15th, 2023 at 01:45 pm
I’ve always loved planners even if I never knew the secret to actually using a planner. It’s fun to go to Target to peruse the cover designs and sneak a peak at the fresh, clean pages. But past the initial purchase and a month’s worth of use, most of them ended up collecting dust on a shelf or buried deep within a drawer.
When I became a mom and started working and blogging full-time, I needed something to keep my life organized and on track. I realized that a planner would be the tool to help me but I always quit using it after a month.
During a year-long experiment, I learned 3 secrets to actually using a planner …and I’m sharing them with you today!
01. Choose the right planner
There are so many planners out there that it’s hard to narrow down the right one. Here’s what you should consider:
- Your budget.
- Whether you prefer scheduling, time-blocking, lists, or a little of each.
- Page layout/spread.
- Room for taking notes.
- Ability to prioritize/goal-set.
- Size & shape.
It’s important to consider these things because if a layout doesn’t work for you, you won’t use it!
When I wanted to start using a planner, I didn’t know what my preferences were. I ended up purchasing an inexpensive one (around $20-$25) with what I thought I needed. This helped me narrow down all my parameters.
For this experiment to work, I had to use the next 2 secrets.
02. Keep it visible
One reason I failed to write anything in my planner was that I always kept it closed. The secret is to keep it open on the current date in a place you frequent.
My day planner and goal planner are open on my desk since that’s where I find myself the most. (I like spirals because I can fold them back and have more space on my desk.)
The biggest mistake is to close a planner and put it away. I’m big on putting things away, but planners are an exception to this rule!
03. Make a ritual
In addition to keeping your planner visible, I recommend making a routine or ritual around using it.
In this post, I describe my weekly planning process. I use the early Sunday morning hours, often with coffee in hand, to plan my week. Grab your favorite pens, light a candle or diffuse oils as you plan to make the ritual enjoyable!
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The 3 secrets to actually use a planner
To sum up, prevent your planner from collecting dust by:
- Choosing the right kind,
- Keeping it visible, and
- Creating a routine.
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