How to Take Control of Your Time With a Monthly Planner | Giftie Etcetera: How to Take Control of Your Time With a Monthly Planner

Friday, July 31, 2015

How to Take Control of Your Time With a Monthly Planner

Somewhere between micromanaging every single moment and not knowing when the party even starts, there is a sweet spot of time management.

I think I have found my sweet spot!

(Check out my new inserts for this academic year. So much pretty, right?)



planner, monthly, inserts, calendar, time management

As much as I discuss planning tasks on this page, my monthly calendar spread is the heart of my time management success.

Here are some of the features of my monthly calendar planner pages that make it easy to use and effective for managing my time.




monthly, planner, calendar

*Easy to Access

Because all appointments go on your monthly spread, it should be easy to access at all times. 


People rarely get to sit down leisurely and input appointments. More likely, you'll be balancing your planner in one hand and your baby in the other, at the doctor's office, while your toddler screams about cookies.


I use a magnetic page marker to put old pages out of the way, a page marker in the center of the current month for quick page turning, and homemade tabs (just written on post-it tabs) for each month.

*Information Complete

My pen is almost handy for putting appointments into my planner.

All timed events and major due dates are noted.

I even have detailed notes about the events on a special list (so they don't cram those little squares full).

*Includes a Schedule

I include a bare bones schedule of weekly events. Work hours (if they are consistent), classes, kids' activities, and time for commuting are factored into the schedule.

This short schedule allows me to build my days at a glance, without double booking anything.

Come join the conversation about managing your time and your life at the Giftie Etcetera group on Facebook.


Etcetera.


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12 comments:

Anna said...

I use my monthly pages heavily, too. I mark them with a paperclip with a ribbon so that they are easy to find. For most appointments/ engagements, I make sure they get into the weekly plan (where I usually have time blocking type of schedule.) That way, I have an idea of the flow of the day.

Nina said...

I use both physical and digital planners, especially with my blog. I must have a zillion digital files plus weekly and monthly planners and goals that I print out!

Giftie Etcetera said...

Nina - for blogging, I use OneNote, except for scheduling posts. So I kind of do what you are doing!

Amanda said...

I am an organizing junkie. Love planners, lists and calendars... This is a great product and post ! Thanks for sharing !

Emily Twin Mummy and Daddy said...

I have a yearly planner and use it everyday! I'd be lost without it! Thanks for linking up to the #BinkyLinky

Nigel said...

I have everything written down so I have a very planned life looks a great planner thanks for linking to the Binkylinky

Helen said...

I used to love my planner, and I thought I would NEVER go digital. Then it happened, my mobile took over. :) I sometimes miss my planner, but it was never able to give me reminders.. ;)

Tracey Abrahams said...

I am in the process of sorting a planner for my blog. I use a digital diary for my real life appointments.

Unknown said...

I love monthly planners but I always start off really well and then I end up ditching it mid way through the year. Maybe I haven't quite found the right one. Thanks for sharing. #ConfessionsLinkUp

Unknown said...

I always start out with good intentions when starting with a planner but after about a week, my mind starts to take over and I lose interest. I do believe that it is all in the planner and what features it has to help keep it all together, but I haven't found that special one for me yet. Thanks for sharing! #SimplySundays

Tanya @ Moms Small Victories said...

i LOVE planners and seeing what planner styles work for people. Thanks for sharing with Small Victories Sunday Linkup. Pinning to our linkup board and hope you join this week's linkup that just went live!

Mummascribbles said...

Gosh you are so organised! I love planners but I am so useless at keeping them filled in and up to date. I tend to keep a lot of stuff in my head that I really should write down! I might have to have a look through your blog to find all of your planning advice hehe! Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday