Planner Groups 101: How to Find Planner Peace

Planner Peace

Planners groups and stationery enthusiast will easily argue that planners are an outstanding tool to use when organizing tasks and even memory keeping. As helpful as they are, choosing the right planner can be an overwhelming process. When you find the perfect system and style, this is referred to as Planner Peace and were every planner wants to be. There are many options to consider – size, functionality, style and much more. Today I want to share my top tips on narrowing down the perfect planner for YOU.

Determine your needs by your lifestyle.

The size and style of your planner should all depend on your lifestyle. Maybe you’re a busy student hopping from class to class. I recommend an agenda with a disc or spiral system  (pictured below) because you’re able to add inserts with a weekly calendar or additional note pages. 

If you work in a professional environment, you may need more room to include meeting briefs, client info, or project plans. We recommend starting with the A5 Planner. This size planner holds enough room for your work needs including 6 credit card slots, 4 document pockets, and 1 passport pocket that is perfect for business trips. Plus, it’s easy to carry between meetings.

Busy mothers who carry tote bags full of snacks, diapers, and spare clothes may opt for something more compact. A pocket size or personal planner will be your new BFF. A personal planner is the on-the-go organization you crave, but optimizes space in your already packed mom bag.

C&P QUILTED LEATHER PLANNER | PERSONAL

Think about how big or small your handwriting is. This may seem like an odd thing to consider, but your handwriting can play a factor when choosing which agenda or page size you need. If you’re anything like me, I write larger than normal. Smaller agendas wouldn’t be ideal for me. 

Determine what you need to keep track of.

Monthly inserts are an efficient way to glance at your tasks without getting too overwhelmed. They allow for a quick overview of the month to jot down appointments, birthdays, or brunches. 

If you keep track of every hour of the day, dated daily inserts are perfect for you. These inserts have a spot for you to plan every detail of your day. If that’s too specific, weekly inserts will probably suit you better. 

Our vertical weekly inserts work perfectly for those who have a “list” style of planning. They are available in all planner sizes, so you don’t have to worry about it not fitting. Additionally, these blank lined note pages will work for grocery lists, To-Dos, etc. 

2019 Dated Vertical Weekly Planner Inserts

Those of you who are health and fitness focused can jot down your workout routine on a monthly layout, and then using a vertical weekly layout to track your weight and meal progress. You may also want to integrate a habit tracker system to monitor your water intake, supplements, steps, and other fitness sub goals.

Habit Tracker

Determine your style and aesthetic.

Briefly touching on our concept of Capsule Planning, I’ve learned how to weed out unnecessary practices while using my agenda. Here’s a quick recap:

Pick a color scheme. Doing so will prevent you from veering off and buying unnecessary things for your planner. Train yourself to follow that color scheme to keep your planner organized.

Pick your favorite tools. Maybe you prefer pens over pencils. Are sticky notes useful to you? How about using paperclips to organize? Use the tools you know will help you stay on track.

Pick your system but start simple. Let your system expand or compress with you as your life changes and don’t feel like you have to plan a certain way. There are tons of weird things I keep track of in my planner and guess who sees it?!? Just me. So, don’t be afraid to use your planner for unconventional tracking.

Be yourself, and scrap what doesn’t make you happy. Holding on to that roll of washi tape that you haven’t reached for in years will only clutter your space. Give it to someone that will use it and appreciate it.

Determine a budget.

Planners can get expensive overtime. Shop around and find a price point that you are willing to spend on your planner. Determine a budget and stick to it. That’ll force you to only purchase items necessary for planning. An expense tracker can also help you with future budgeting after you get your planning goodies.

If you’re afraid to purchase a planner you think you won’t use, then start by getting into the habit of writing things down. A planner can double as a place to scribble notes down or check your To-Do’s.

An agenda is a tool for YOU. Finding the perfect planner doesn’t have to be a scary thought. Remember, planning is meant to cater to your needs. There are so many agenda options out there. I promise you will find one that suits you the best. 

Feel free to email or direct message me with any questions you may have. I’m here for you while you embark on your new journey of planning. Good luck and happy planning!