why use a planner?

what is a planner?

A planner is a system that helps you manage your time effectively, keeping you organised and on top of your schedule.
While typically a planner will include a calendar, what makes it different - and more useful  - than a basic diary, is that planners are designed to help you stay organised, focused and productive.
A planner will contain sections for daily, weekly and monthly planning, as well as space for appointments, important notes and reminders, tasks to be completed and even other helpful tools such as spending trackers, meal planning and shopping lists.
More comprehensive planners may also include goal setting sections with useful tracking and reflection pages to keep you motivated and on track to achieving your goals.

The best thing about a planner is that everything you need is in one place. Once you get in the habit of using a planner (especially when you find the perfect layout for your needs), you'll feel lost without one!

why use a planner?

So, there are some super humans whose brains can handle a tsunami of tasks, schedules and appointments, mentally filing important information in such a way that they're able to keep on top of everything and forget nothing  - - I am not one of these people.

The reason I love using a planner is primarily to boost my productivity, but it's so much more than a to do list. It's a wonderful tool not only to help me stay consistent and accountable, but most importantly, it enables me to be organised and use my time effectively.
When I don't have a plan to work from, it's too easy for me to flit between tasks without a clear focus, not prioritising them correctly or giving them the full attention they require, or ultimately not getting things done.

Having a plan set out on paper and knowing exactly what I should be doing, where I should be, and what the priorities are for the day, week, month ahead means I'm not worrying about forgetting something important or suddenly being confronted with a deadline that I hadn't realised had come around so quickly.

Ultimately, it calms my mind and reduces my anxiety, particularly when life gets busy or I have several projects on the go at one time.
In fact, for me it's an exercise in self care - instead of everything whirring around in my head, it's reassuring to know it's all on paper and I have a plan of action, which makes coping with the demands of life and work so much less stressful and overwhelming.
 

Taking time out to plan should make you more efficient in your tasks and ultimately reduce the stress in your life. If nothing else, it's a good excuse to settle down with a cuppa (and a chocolate hobnob) and take some uninterrupted time to yourself. How much time you apply is completely up to you, and ultimately depends on whatever works best for you. Taking a few minutes out each day without distraction can be a soothing, mindful task and a welcome break.
Or maybe it would suit you better to block out a longer window of time on a set day, once a week. For example, part of my planning routine will include half an hour at the weekend meal planning for the week ahead; doing a little inventory of what food is in the cupboard and freezer, and getting a shopping list together. Yep, something as simple as meal planning means I have one less thing to think about during a busy week.

- "I've tried using a planner but I forget to use it and give up after a few months"
Personally, I think if you're not excited to use your planner or you're simply not enthused by it, you've not found the right one. I am so incredibly fussy about what I want in a planner (and what I don't want) and having a system that doesn't quite suit your needs can certainly impact how much you use it - or if it's actually helpful to you.
Trust me, when you find the perfect layout that suits your needs, it can be a game changer!

I'd love to hear what you love most about using a planner and how it has helped you - or if you've not used one yet, what in particular is stopping you?
Leave a comment below!

Elizabeth x