Choose the Right Planner for You
"I started making "to-do" lists
when I was in the third grade.
Over the years,
I graduated from a simple 3" x 5" spiral notebook
to an 11" x 16" black leather briefcase-type
three-ring-binder time-management system
with a two-page spread for my daily schedule
and up to a dozen tabulated sections
for goals, priorities, strategies,
decisions, communications,
addresses and phone numbers,
forward planners, backward planners,
mind maps, expense summaries,
personal information,
daily (and monthly and weekly and yearly) calendars,
and a priority management overflow chart (whatever that was).
Fortunately, I looked at my planner one day
and realized I didn't want my life to be that complicated."
Elaine St. James
when I was in the third grade.
Over the years,
I graduated from a simple 3" x 5" spiral notebook
to an 11" x 16" black leather briefcase-type
three-ring-binder time-management system
with a two-page spread for my daily schedule
and up to a dozen tabulated sections
for goals, priorities, strategies,
decisions, communications,
addresses and phone numbers,
forward planners, backward planners,
mind maps, expense summaries,
personal information,
daily (and monthly and weekly and yearly) calendars,
and a priority management overflow chart (whatever that was).
Fortunately, I looked at my planner one day
and realized I didn't want my life to be that complicated."
Elaine St. James
Having a planner that doesn't fit your own style, that you don't enjoy using, or that is overly complicated means that you probably won't use it or get the most benefit from it.
So if you're not delighted with the planner you are currently using, it may be time to find a new one. Here are some things to consider when choosing the planner that's right for you:
1. Do you need your planner to easily go with you away from your office?
- Does it need to be easily portable?
- Are you out and about all day long, making appointments that need to be added to your planner? If so, you'll want something that can easily come with you.
2. Do you prefer paper or electronic?
- Either one is perfectly fine...some people prefer to keep track of things on paper, and other people prefer to use an electronic method.
- How do you like to see your schedule and tasks? What's easiest and most natural for you? What do you like most?
- Will other people also need regular access to your schedule (staff, for example)?
3. What do you need your planner to be able to handle?
- Plenty of room for including tasks? How much room?
- Flexibility in changing things around?
- Do you like or need to see a full week at a time? A full month at a time? Is by day enough? Do you like or need to see appointments by hour?
- Figure out what you need to track and handle first, then look for a planner that can support your needs.
After years of experimenting and trying lots of planners, I now use a VERY simple paper planner (I use the personal size spiral-bound planner found on www.plannerpads.com).
And I keep use my planner to keep track of everything. That way, I don't have to keep track of anything in my head; I put all of my appointments, events, tasks, and to-do's in my planner and then I completely forget about them until it's time to handle them. Using my planner for everything takes an enormous load off my mind.
And although I used to keep long charts and goal lists and big to-do lists, I no longer do that. I have simplified my life enough to focus on the small, important list of things that really bring me joy and move my business and my life forward - and since that list is small, I don't have to 'manage' it.
Choosing the right planner for you and using it in a way that truly works for you is one of the easiest, most powerful ways to simplify your life.
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