Would you consider yourself a “planner person”? If not, you are certainly not alone. There are so many types of planners out there, it can be difficult to navigate which planner is best or if you should use one at all. Let's take a look at what planners are all about and see if they're right for you.
What is a planner?
A planner is a system to help you manage your time. It will help you stay organized, plan ahead, visualize your commitments, and prioritize important tasks. Essentially, it will help keep track of the many things that are happening in your life so that nothing gets missed or forgotten.
Our planners are designed to provide you with an outline of how to best organize your days and weeks. And this is not a one size fits all scenario, but at the very core using a paper planner is the best option for keeping track of multiple aspects of life at once--like work hours/schedule along with personal commitments like doctor's appointments or social plans.
Why should I use a planner?
If you are like most of us, you probably have a lot to do. There are always new projects that need to be started, goals to accomplish and old tasks that need completing in addition to managing multiple schedules (work, home and kids) with different deadlines and expectations. It can feel overwhelming at times!
When you schedule your commitments in a planner, you gain a clearer picture of what needs to be accomplished when--and where--which reduces the risk of procrastination, forgetting important details, or remembering them too late. You will 100% feel more in control of your time.
Why is a paper planner better than a digital one?
Research shows that when we write things down on paper, we remember them far better than if they were typed into an app on our phone (or computer). Pen and paper give you that visual representation of your schedule so that at a glance you know exactly what is on your calendar.
It also gives us perspective on what has been accomplished during the course of the day/week/month/year etc., which helps keep us motivated towards achieving future goals!
Don’t get us wrong, a quick update to a google calendar is convenient. But when it comes down to focusing only on your to do list, there are far less distractions when using a physical planner versus an app where notifications pop up every few minutes with new messages or alerts.
How do I pick the right kind of planner for me?
The key is to find one that fits your lifestyle and is easy to use. Asking yourself these questions will help narrow down which planners are right for you:
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What does my average day or week look like? If your schedule is filled with work and family obligations and you want an overview of your schedule at a glance? Try using a weekly or monthly format.
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If you have an active time blocked schedule maybe you’re a teacher, homeschooling mom or manage an office? Try using a daily planning format.
So, should you use a planner? Yes—if you haven't yet committed yet, or if it's been a while since you last used a planner, this is your call to return to paper. A lot of people think planners are only useful for super-organized people who really thrive on schedules and organization, but that doesn't have to be true. A planner is simply a tool to help you manage your busy schedule, organize your life and feel more in control of all the things.