Hey friends! 📆
As we step into September, the excitement of a new school year is in the air. It’s the perfect time to get a handle on your schedule and planning before the whirlwind of holiday season preparations and school activities kicks into high gear.
This transition period offers a great opportunity to set the tone for the rest of the year. Everywhere you look, stores are stocked with planners and calendars, and it seems like every other online ad is promoting the latest planner trend.
Valuing Our Time
This shows us just how much we value our time and productivity, especially as we juggle school schedules, extracurriculars, and upcoming holiday plans. I’ve always loved a good planner—ever since high school, I’ve found joy in organizing my life on paper.Â
The great thing about today’s world is that there’s no shortage of planner options. Whether you prefer sleek and simple or bold and colorful, there’s something out there to fit your style and needs. It’s a wonderful time to be a planner enthusiast. 😊
What Matters to You?
With all the options available, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But the truth is, it’s not about what’s trendy—it’s about what works for you. Your planner should be an extension of how you manage your life, so it needs to be something you’ll actually use. If it doesn’t suit your style or needs, it’ll end up collecting dust.
To find the right fit, ask yourself:
- What size do you want? Smaller planners are more portable and larger ones offer more space to write more details.
- What color are you drawn to? Remember my newsletter story! Color is important.
- Do you prefer a weekly or daily layout? Some people prefer to see the whole week at all times while others want to plan out their day for each hour.
- Should your daily planner be broken down by 30 or 60-minute increments? If this seems hard to do on paper than maybe digital is for you.
- Do you need space for note-taking? Some planners offer note pages for each month or have a space to add a notepad.
- Is goal-setting and strategic planning a priority for you? Some planners walk you through goal setting and tracking within the planner.
- Will you track tasks and to-dos in this planner? Do you want to have it all in one place – some planners have sections for to-lists but they tend to be small.
- Are you planning to journal in it? If you use digital planners then you can also journal pages or sections.Â
- Do you need to add and remove pages easily? There are planner systems that you can customize and add pages and months as needed.
- Is there a need for space to hold papers or business cards? Folders are helpful but also test them to make sure they hold the size paper you want with or without folding.
- Would you like it to be color-coded? Not all digital planners have that option. With paper planners you can color code with markers and stickers.
- Do you want a hardcover or spiral-bound planner? If you like to fold over your notebooks and planners avoid hard covers.
While you might not find a planner that checks every box, prioritizing these questions will help you identify what’s essential. And if nothing out there quite fits, don’t hesitate to customize your own with a blank notebook or DIY system—many office supply stores offer great options for that.
Digital or Physical?
The first question you should consider is: digital or physical?
Technology has given us incredible tools to stay organized, with digital planners offering features like notifications, integrations, and the ability to store vast amounts of information across devices. They’re perfect if you live in the digital space and love the convenience of having everything at your fingertips.
But what if the answer isn’t either/or, but both?
Let me explain. Digital planners are fantastic for storing and sorting information, setting reminders, and integrating with other tools. They keep you on track and provide a seamless way to review your plans and goals.
However, there’s something uniquely engaging about the tactile experience of writing things down. For many of us, physically putting pen to paper sparks a different kind of mental engagement, helping to solidify plans and goals.
Personally, I’ve found the sweet spot in using both. I turn to my paper planner when I’m mapping out complex plans or strategizing my month. Then, I sync it with my digital tools to ensure everything aligns. This system has served me well for years, combining the best of both worlds.
*NEW* I still use and like a hybrid of both digital and physical. However I must admit in the last few years I my physical is sort of a digital hybrid in itself. Instead of a paper planner I use my Supernote. What’s that you might be asking. A Supernote is an e-notebook. It holds all my notes but also I have a planner/calendar in it. It allows me to to view the whole month and write in using a stylus pen my activities and notes. I make sure it matches with my Google calendar and it works great for planning and managing my schedule.Â
The Final Key to Your Planner
Whatever planner or program you choose, the key is consistent use. You have to consistently put the information into the planner no matter what type in order to effectively manage your time. A planner’s value lies in how well it helps you manage your time and tasks, so make sure it meets your most important needs and feels right for you.
I am so curious and I’d love to hear what you’re using to stay organized—whether it’s a new app, a tried-and-true planner, or something in between. Let’s share ideas and inspire each other as we head into the new school year and beyond. Happy planning!
*If you’re interested in getting a Supernote I’m happy to answer questions. It has been a huge game changer for me. Here’s my affiliate link if you’re ready to get started! https://supernote.com/practicallyorganized
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Stay tuned for next week’s POP Talk!
