The Importance of Planners – Write it Down, Check it off, and Journal!

As technology advances, more and more people are opting for online task lists, taking notes on their laptops, and setting alarms and reminders on their phones. But there is so much you lose with those types of lists and planners. Sometimes the alarm doesn’t go off, and sometimes that important reminder is erased by your toddler.There is something very sturdy and reliable about a piece of paper and a pencil. Why write down your plans and your goals? Here are just a few reasons:

“If you have a goal write it down, if you do not write it down, you do not have a goal you have a wish.” - Steve Maraboli

“People with clear, written goals, accomplish far more in a shorter period of time than people without them could ever imagine.” - Brian Tracy

A planner can help you write down plans and goals because it is already broken up into increments of time, days, and months. Here are some of the best reasons to use a planner as well as some ideas on how to utilize your planner to the best of your ability:

Small Details

A daily planner can help you to keep track of and remember the small details in your life. Things like birthdays, dental appointments, phone numbers, names of your kid’s teachers, etc. Don’t let the small things slip through the cracks, keep track of them by writing them down in your planner.

Task Lists

There is nothing that compares to the satisfying feeling of checking off the tasks on your to-do-list one by one as you accomplish your tasks for the day, week, or month. When you doubt how productive you have been over the week just look at your list and look at all the things you could check off! Keeping track of tasks in your planner can give you a great sense of accomplishment and give you the push you need to continue to achieve your goals.

Color Coding

Dot Grid planners are perfect for this one - you can keep your planner even more organized by using a different colored pen for different activities. Or, if you have a lot of people in your family, maybe use a different color for each person. That way you can see – at a glance – what each person will be doing each day.

Journal (In Reverse)

As you go about your day, take a minute here and there to write something funny your toddler said, or jot down an inspirational quote. Getting bored in a meeting? Open your planner and draw or take notes in the corners to keep your mind focused. As you go through your day and your week you will notice that your planner starts to look more like a journal of your life. Look at future goals, check of daily tasks, and keep a journal all at the same time by using a planner!

Epica Day Planners and Dotted Journals (aka bullet journals) are both terrific organization tools. We’d love to share your story – send by email to info@epica.com