Using a Planner Successfully Every Single Day | Giftie Etcetera: Using a Planner Successfully Every Single Day

Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Using a Planner Successfully Every Single Day

Raise your hand if you ever forget to use your planner. Sometimes? Often? Yesterday?!?

I look pretty sheepish right about now.

Even as a dedicated Plannerd and planner blogger, I forget to use my planner sometimes - and that NEVER ends well.



planner, planners, time management, organizing, routine planning, routines, habit, habits, the planner habit, planner habit



There are some simple ways to make sure that daily planning becomes a habit and a normal part of your routine. 

Assign a Home for Your Planner


In the picture above, I show a home for my planners on my desk at the office.

Yes, my personal planner does live on top of my in-box. A nice recipe holder or a simple tray works well as a dedicated planner spot.

But don't limit yourself to one home for your planner.

Create a space in your car, in your bag, next to your couch, next to your bed, or anywhere you tend to stop.

Having your planner nearby - and open if possible - makes it so much likely that you'll take a second and check it or enter information into it.

Set an Alarm for 21 Days


Trying to create a new habit sometimes requires external forces.

Yes, that means that I need an assistant to MAKE ME DO THE THINGS. I hate doing The Things.

If you also hate doing The Things, set a phone alarm reminder or two at good times of the day to remind you to check your planner.

Maybe you need to set an alarm 20 minutes before you leave for work or carpool or 15 minutes after the kids get on the bus. Perhaps the alarm needs to go off after work.

The timing doesn't matter that much, as long as it fits your life.

What does matter is that you make yourself stop and look at your planner whenever that alarm goes off.

Let it annoy you. Let yourself respond with real action. Maybe even give yourself an M&M.

Checking your planner must become a habit for your planner to be effective for you - and the alarm (along with your response to it) helps.

Associate Planner Use with an Existing Routine


If you are a Loyal Reader, you know how much I LOVE coffee. Every morning, I start my workday with a hot cup of cafe' au lait.

Guess what else I do simultaneously?

That's correct! I look at my planner and, if I didn't do so the night before, plan my day.

Whatever your daily thing happens to be, try to associate it with using your planner.

A nightly glass of wine? Look at your planner.

Put baby down for nap? Look at your planner.

Kiss your husband or wife goodbye? Look at your planner.

Say your morning prayers? Write a verse in your planner and then review today's plan.

Couple something pleasant that you are already in the habit of doing with a bit of dedicated planner time.

You'll find yourself using your planner more regularly in no time at all.


Etcetera.

If you enjoy what you read and want more content from Giftie, consider fueling my blogging by buying me a coffee!

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

12 comments:

Kristine with a K said...

I love these tips. I need to set a timer to check my planner and to do some of the tasks in my planner :)i also like the idea of writing a verse in my planner. I think this would be a great way to start the day and something to meditate on throughout the day. I love your posts. They are real life.

Mary Wimbley said...

This is exactly what I needed! Up until last week, I had been forgetting to use my planner quite a lot. It ended up getting me in trouble, both with scheduling and finances. My best friend gave me a good swift kick in the pants and helped me get back on track, but these ideas are great, too! I am setting an alarm on my phone right now! I also like the idea of writing a verse, but I will take it a step further. I have found that the traveler's notebook system works best for me, and I am comfortable combining journaling with planning. I would love to get into the habit of doing my planning and journaling in the morning before I go to work. I think it would help me a lot. Thanks for the awesome tips! :)

Anna said...

I usually consult my planner with my morning tea/ coffee. I'm trying to get in a better evening routine that will include this, too. Sometimes I remember better than others. :)

Anonymous said...

Although I am ow retired, I still have things that need to be done and things that I want to do.

My planner is reviewed each morning at breakfast. It's fun because hubby has his planner out, too. We coordinate when we can for the use of the car by consulting each other when we make the original appointment or scheduled task.

During the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, we break out the next year's planner and double check that everything that needed to be entered has been "set" in the new pages.

I have software on my laptop that handles everything, so, if necessary, I ca print out daily pages. We use a weekly format now.

Our finances are not handled in the planners other than due dates for those things that only happen yearly or semi-annually. Our tax appointment is made a minimum of six months early and is a planner item. Renewal of licenses, insurance, or memberships are also entered.

Jaime Barfield said...

I keep my TN "Everything" planner on top of my filing cabinet which is right next to my desk. I also have a desk planner where I break down my to do lists, etc. for the week. I keep both planners within easy access throughout the day.

Unknown said...

Xem quà tặng độc đáo tại website quà tặng của mình nhé!

Unknown said...

Really love your post, It's very useful tips. Please follow me back at công ty in quà tặng InLogo

Bhawna said...

My calendar gets full so easily with work that I can never get around making time of creative things or new projects. I liked this write up. Do want to try the 21 days habit. Thank you for the share.

bamgosoocom said...


Greetings! I just wanted to thank you for the published entry!
You have helped us too much! We are glad we have found this source here.

Visit my page ::: 대구오피
(jk)

Magistral699 said...

IPTV is one of the best sources of entertainment. It will help you to make your time beneficial and useful. Just with an internet connection, you can watch your favorite show from anywhere in the world.

Ahmed said...

Really interesting to read the article tour site is really giving more informational facts and happy to read. general waste removal

cambridgeenglish said...

If you are making plans to have a look at or paintings overseas then you have to take the IELTS exam to show your English language abilities. Then you need to be a part of the quality online ielts coaching in east delhi for the training IELTS take a look at. Here you can locate all the Top IELTS Coaching institutes in Delhi with contact details and education addresses.The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is an worldwide standardised take a look at of English language skill ability that is required to be taken for better education in Australian, British, Canadian, European, Irish, New Zealand instructional establishments, and various expert organisations across the world.