Tips For Choosing The Perfect Planner

I'm so excited to be starting my new planner as we start the new fiscal year at work! It took me for.ever. to find one that I absolutely love, but this one was worth the wait. It's completely different from my last planner, so it's been a recharge for my creative juices to start decorating it. 

Some people buy a planner based entirely on how it looks, but I encourage you to pick one that is both attractive and functional with the way you'll use it. A planner is a tool, and if that tool isn't practical and applicable, it's just a paperweight made of paper. Here are some things I'd like you to think about as you're transitioning to a new planner, whether it's here in July or at the end of December.

Academic year or calendar year? My fiscal year starts July 1, others want a planner to start September 1 with the school year, or January 1 for the New Year. Do what makes sense for you.

Daily, weekly, or monthly layouts - or all three? Smaller calendars may have just monthly layouts, which is great for keeping lists and appointments straight, but you may need something more detailed for work, teaching, or business.

Appointment-based, task-based - or both? I actually found a planner where each day has two columns, one for appointments and one for tasks. The best of both worlds!

Dated or undated? Blank planners require a little more work, as you'll need to write in numbers and days or add sticker numbers and letters. Dated planners don't have as much wiggle room, being all dated and everything, but they're easier to set up.

Portable or desk-sized? Do you want something that contains your entire life and can be thrown in your purse to go wherever you do? That's more my style. If you just want it for work so you can leave it on your desk and walk away, a larger desktop calendar might be perfect. We have both at our office, and each one is used for different things - one for me and one for our events and appointments.

How much writing space? Do you want your planner to be other things as well? A journal, a list-keeper, a place for quotes, monthly events, birthdays, and priorities? Find one with just enough space for the things you want to keep track of, but not so much extra that you'll never use it all - that's just extra weight.

Goal planning included? How detailed do you want to be? Do you want a little box to keep track of doctors' appointments, or would you prefer some pages where you can plan for the future, make some lists, and encourage yourself to keep going?

Habit trackers? You might want space to track your water intake, your exercise routines, or the books you've read. Look for a planner that either already has those included, or has enough space to make your own or insert a pre-made page.

Project planning pages? These are essential if you're planning an event, teaching classes, leading a group, own a business, or want to run your home more efficiently, having that extra workspace in a portable package can be priceless.

Morning to evening or just the work day? Is this planner going to contain your life or your work? Do you want to keep your personal and professional plans together in one place, or do you only need something for work appointments? You're going to find all kinds of examples of both.

Blank pages or decorated pages? Do you want to use stickers and stamps and washi tape and personalize your planner yourself, or are you perfectly happy with what the artists designing the planner have already created? This is your planner - do with it as you please.

Hopefully this walk-through gives you some direction as you're choosing your new planner. Please don't just grab a book and start writin' stuff down in it. Make it literally a lifestyle, a tool that will help you be more productive and genuinely creative. You can always look back through my Sunday posts to get inspired by design, calendars in general, and how to use them to organize, prepare, and work the plan for success.