Recently, there was a large discussion about day planner pages on a blogging list I belong to. I have to be honest about day planner use. As someone who has been involved with the day planner industry since 1995, it’s a struggle to find one that is exactly how you want it. Back then, people learned to make what was available work. Now there are thousands of planners on and offline. However, everyone is so specific on what they want that it’s difficult to find just the right one. Even if you modify it or make one of your own, there’s a mushroom effect that occurs.

Many people start off using just a few planner pages or making a few planner pages of their own. After a while they realize they need something more or different and end up modifying whatever one they have. In another scenario, they have too much information on one page and think it might work to put it on a page of it’s own. This separation is the first step in increasing the number of planner pages and one of the reasons why the planner page count keeps growing and growing, hence, the mushroom effect. Next thing they know, they are searching for yet another day planner and that is how people get on the day planner go-round.

How to Get Off the Day Planner Go-Round

Keep it Simple Sally!

Instead of starting with one day planner or making a planner from scratch, try writing down your to-do lists and everything you can think of that you want and need to do to make money. Then, prioritize the list, but give yourself free time to do the non-moneymaking tasks that you like to do.

Next, start blocking your time each day and STOP doing the task at the end of the block of time. Force yourself to stop and see how well it works after a few weeks. Also after a few weeks, you’ll see what works for you and what doesn’t. Then you’ll be able to make something that works for your current phase.

To Planner or Not To Planner

I love my paper planner. However, I end up putting all appointments and some to-dos in my iCal. I need the notifications and sound of the chime to remind me that I have an appointment coming up, so it’s time to clean up what I’m doing. My schedule was scattered until recently, so I have to redo my planner pages again.

With that said, sitting at your desk at the same time each morning, noon, or night, blocking your time to work on things best suited to your biological clock (talking about when you work best on certain tasks), and moving things not finished to the next day is the most common way people keep on top of things. Paper is just paper. You can put whatever you need on just about any paper. It’s the figuring out what you need part that takes time.

For two to three weeks, try using plain lined paper to make up pages you think you need. Keep changing and rearranging and see what happens. Next, report back so we can encourage you!

Blessings and Peace,

Susie – The Busy Woman

PS. If you want to try The Busy Woman’s Daily Planner for one low price, click here.

Time Saving Tip:

Use Send Out Cards to set up and schedule physical cards for sending throughout the year. As a customer for years, it saves me time and money, and I love the company! Email me for details!