The Difference Between a Planner and Time Management

At 9:47 a.m. this morning, I got my first cup of coffee. Considering that I start my day at 6:45 a.m., this is a problem. 

Multiply the poor timing by my first day back at work after a vacation, my lingering pneumonia, and a bit of an autoimmune flare, and that's a set-up for disaster!

But, wait, you say...isn't Giftie a guru of time management?

How to Use a Planner to Survive the Chaos of a Natural Disaster

If you aren't familiar with this blog, I mostly write about day planners. In fact, Giftie Etcetera has a pretty active Facebook group where we discuss getting and keeping our lives in order. 

When my hometown in Louisiana flooded in a massive, 3-day rainstorm, the group kept talking about planners and order in general. 

That is, they did until one member said that her house flooded and she was stuck. Her planner wasn't good enough for the to-do list that grows so long and massive after your home is completely ruined. 

The First Page in Your Planner

Things have been crazy here in Louisiana. But in my planner, things have been pretty routine.

The system that I use on the first page of my planner gets a lot of credit for that routine in the midst of chaos.

Closing Time - When to Stop Working the Planner at the End of the Day

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I use my planner all day long.

One-on-One Consultations With Giftie

***Not Currently Doing This***

***Will let you know when I am back.***

I am excited to announce that I am offering a new service at Giftie Etcetera!

I plan to offer planner, time management, or organizing advice tailored to your needs in exchange for a few cups of coffee.

To find out the details, click on Consultations.

Of course, it'll always be free to read my blog or join the conversation in the Giftie Etcetera Facebook group.

In fact, members of that group will get an exclusive discount. Join the group to find out how to collect your discount.

Etcetera.

If you enjoy what you read at Giftie Etcetera, please share on social media. Click here to join the Giftie Etcetera Facebook group.

Pomodoro Time Management for Lazy Planners

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The Pomodoro Technique is a time management technique in which people basically use a timer to get themselves to get things done in brief and successive periods of time.

Think Differently About How You Use Your Planner

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I'm anything but traditional when it comes to planning. 

Sure, I use a monthly calendar for appointments. Sure, I make to do lists.

Crazy Ways to Save Money

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I try to be frugal, without sacrificing too much time or energy. 

13 Genius Items to Include in Your Planner

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Using a planner is not just about the binder or the inserts. Using a planner is about making it work for you.

Optimize the Use of Your Paper Planner (Featuring Franklin Planner Day on Two Pages Layout)

Are you using your planner to its full potential? 

Some simple tweaks to your daily layout can help you to stay organized and on task.

10 Seconds With Your Planner

Readers ask me all the time, "Giftie, how do I make myself use my planner?"

Dividing Parenting Duties Fairly

As my family was getting dressed to leave the house for a playdate, my husband urged me to go ahead and get dressed.

"I'll take care of the kids," he said.

Chronic Diseases and How They Destroy Your Time

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I spent an hour this morning sorting my prescription meds, calling the pharmacy to order refills, and making sure my epilepsy kids had his meds in order.

An hour of my life, gone every single week.

Just gone.

The Quickest Way to Create a Daily Planner Page

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Stressing out because you didn't get everything done yesterday?

Don't stress! Make a plan instead!

When Your Planner Is a Hot Mess

I am a few hours behind on getting this blog post published. 

Sometimes, life gets in the way.

When Your Friend Has a Chronic Illness

If you invite me over, I might say no. Or I might say yes, but cancel at the last minute. 

That doesn't mean that I don't want to see you.

Spending Too Much Time On-line

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I love the computer. As a blogger and a research attorney, I spend a lot of time in front of my laptop.

Simple Time-Saving Tricks

If you haven't discovered Giftie Etcetera before now, welcome!

How to Make Mondays Better

Once upon a time, I wrote some excellent advice about How to Manage Mondays.

It was good advice, so I still follow that plan.

But today's blog post is not about planning for Mondays. It's about surviving them.

How to Use the Internet Like a Pro

If you are reading this, you are probably either a blogger or a Loyal Reader of my planner posts. 

Like me, you probably try to be smart about the internet and how you use it, either to promote your blog or to manage your life.