Organizing Your Planner Page

If you use a planner (or struggle to use a planner), you probably like writing on paper. 

I certainly do. I love the connectivity of the ink scratching across the paper. The feel of having a plan, written down and organized, makes me believe I can handle anything.

But writing things down in a way that works can be a challenge. So I took a picture of my weekly planner page and took some notes about how I organize my planner spread for maximum performance.

Get out your ink pen and write down the hacks that work for you!

Planner Hacks That Will Change How You Use a Planner

*Dedicate a space for DUE dates and notes.

Otherwise, those important pieces of information can disappear in the chaos of the planner page.

*Underline and capitalize the word DUE.

But beware! Use that tip sparingly for only items that have actual, hard due dates. Otherwise, you might ignore the task and miss a deadline.

*Circle repeating tasks.

Once a circled task is done, use the circle as your cue to copy it to the next time it'll be due.

For example, I do this with my time sheet, which is due every other Friday.

*Let there be wasted space.

Waste some space. White space makes the rest of the planner spread easier to read and leaves areas to add information onto as it things crop up.

I leave space for daily plans and in the weekend boxes for overflow notes.

*Write due dates on the day the tasks must be done and NOT on the day the task is due.

Note the real due date in the task, but this puts the task on your radar in time to complete the task.

*Dedicate a space for daily planning.

Some people even use a separate page or notebook for daily plans - and that's just fine.

I just leave a column for things that crop up.

*Add details to meeting times.

Meetings noted in your planner should include the date, time, and location, unless they are truly routine for you.

*List MUST DOs by the week with a star marking the most important ones.

Actually write things that must be done this week in your planner. Don't put them on a sticky note.

Rewriting them is a good consequence (and reminder) when you fail to do those tasks.

As a bonus, I sometimes realize while rewriting that the particular weekly task isn't really that important.

*Use a circle for tasks and a square for subtasks.

Circles are quicker to write, so I use them to mark tasks. If you click on and enlarge the picture, I noted the marks that I put in a circle when it is done.

Subtasks right under the main tasks help me deal with small, multi-step projects.

*Keep a pending list, marking what you are waiting on with an @.

There are usually things on your to do list that require someone else to do something, a particular date to pass before you do the task, or another task to be done before you move forward.

It's easy to lose track of that stuff, especially if you mix it in with other tasks. So I have a dedicated waiting on/pending list for that purpose.

Enlarge the photo to see examples!

*Put non-priority tasks on a sticky note or page divider that can move from page-to-page.

Sure, at some point you will need to rewrite it, but since the nonpriority tasks are less time sensitive, don't waste your time rewriting them every week!

*Note in your planner near the task where supporting documents are kept.

I used to keep a "planner black binder." It was just where I kept documents related to tasks in my planner. A tote bag also works great for that purpose.

Currently, I refer a lot to my hold box (marked [H] in my planner) or my task box (marked [T] in my planner) on my desk. Holds are for tasks that cannot be done until something else happens - a date passes or someone does something that triggers my action.

*For tracking items that cover more than one week, use sticky notes.

Saving time is important. So if you are tracking something over more than one week (like my two-week time sheet in the photo), use a sticky.

Plannerds who are members of my Facebook group (see below to join) are welcome to visit and upload a picture of your planner spread so that we can give you feedback on things that might help you have a more organized, workable planner! I might even review yours personally!

Etcetera.

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