Planner Palooza
We are officially in December and everyone seems to be looking to 2020 already. Calendars and planners are in every store and I swear every other ad on the internet is about a new planner.
It really shows us that we value our time and productivity more than ever before. I have always loved a good planner and enjoyed using one (even in high school).
Now, there are endless options for planners, in different colors, shapes, styles and sizes. It’s a wonderful time. 🙂
What Matters to you?
No matter what the latest trends in planners are you need to find what works for you. You need to be able to use it. If you don’t use it then it won’t benefit you. Find what you need.
Keep in mind the following:
- What size do you want?
- Do you want a weekly or daily planner?
- Do you want your daily planner broken down by 30 or 60 minute increments?
- Do you need space for note taking?
- Do you need space for goals and strategic planning?
- Will you be tracking tasks in this planner?
- Will you be journaling in the planner?
- Do you need to be able to remove and add pages?
- Do you need space to hold papers or business cards?
- Do you want it to be color coded?
- Do you want it to be hardcover or spiral bound?
You may not find a planner that meets all of the above criteria but rank the questions above so you know what are the must-have requirements for your planner. Also, don’t be afraid to make your own from a blank notebook or even the DIY systems some office supply stores have now.
Digital or Physical?
The first question to ask yourself when deciding on a planner is – digital or physical?
Technology is awesome and super convenient. There are several digital planner options out there for all your devices. They have tons of bells and whistles (literally they have sound notifications) and could be a great choice for you if you prefer the digital space. Physical paper planners are great for someone who needs the tactile experience.
But what if the answer is both?!?
Hear me out. Digital planners/programs/applications allow so much more information to be stored when it comes to events and activities. You could have dozens of paper planners worth of information in one app. They also include reminders, integrations, sorting capabilities and more that help you track and review your plans and goals.
But sometimes we need to lay it all out on paper and see it on paper without seeing it on a screen. The tactile experience of writing and putting together the plans, goals and events engage our minds in a different way.
I personally use both. I use my paper planner when I am planning out several activities or trying to strategically plan my month. I make time to sync both calendars and planners often and it has worked well for years.
Final Thoughts
Make sure whatever planner or program you choose is something you will actually use. Planners are one of those things that only bring value when they are utilized consistently so make sure it fits your most important needs and that you will actually use it.
Share your calendars, planners, apps and whatever else you are using. I love getting new ideas! Happy Planning!
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