Three steps. Set a goal, make a plan, and do it.
I've been using planners to help me with my chaotic and busy life since I was in college. Back then, I was not very good at utilizing my planner to make my life easier. The only reason I actually got one was to look "busy and professional". To my regret, there were weeks or even months that I totally forgot and ignored my planner. I would write down my daily or weekly schedule and tasks but still end up doing whatever I wanted and oftentimes, these things were very unproductive. They were a wasteful use of my time.
Time is the most precious gift and resource we have in this life. We cannot turn the clock and get back lost time. It was important to me that I stop this awful habit of misusing my time so I continued to use a planner until I got used to it and made it a part of my daily routine. Keeping and using planners have amazing benefits.
Get order and clarity in your work/school/day-to-day life.
On a scale of 1 to 10, how busy are you, 10 being super busy you have no idea what's going on around you? You can overlook some tasks and become overwhelmed with multiple deadlines, meetings, to-do's, and events in one day. You become an overworked zombie who loses sense of time for yourself and your loved ones. There are no clear boundaries because all you do is work, work, and work!
With a planner, you are able to control and schedule the flow of your day the way you want and which soothes you. You are able to create and have time for all aspects of your life.
Time Management.
If you are a relatively busy person, you need a planner to help you set time to complete all your goals and projects. Making a mental list of things you need to do and places you need to be will not meet the cut because we think of a million things in one day and the chances of forgetting that one task or deadline is possible. It is important to have a planner to organize and plan time for each specific task or activity.
Improve productivity.
Imagine each day is a project. To finish the project, you need to create a plan, determine the supplies you need, gather these supplies, and follow the steps of your plan to completion. If you do not have a plan and start your project blindly, you will meet a lot of problems along the way and may not be able to finish the project. That is a lot of wasted time and energy.
When you have a lot going on, you may not know where to start. It is important to have a set schedule or action plan for the day. When you have a clear plan, you will be more productive and confident in what you do because you have set everything beforehand. You know what you need to do.
Reduce stress and anxiety
Having a lot on your plate contributes to the pressure of your work, resulting in added and unwanted stress and anxiety. Using a planner helps in easing this stress and anxiety by making sure you are aware of upcoming deadlines and events, you know where to be and what to do and you are not just going around in circles wondering, being nervous, and panicky.
Keep record
The great thing about having a planner is having a record of all the events and activities you did during a long period. It shows your progress and your capabilities in what you do, and all the amazing celebrations and memories you have made.
Sometimes I will look at my planner and see all the tasks I've completed and goals I've reached. It's just beautiful and fulfilling seeing how far I've come during the year.
You will see your priorities.
Not everything will be a priority and that is okay. Repeat that to yourself.
You do not have to do every single request or task given to you if you know it does not benefit you or it is not your responsibility or obligation to do it. By setting a schedule in your planner, you will see your priorities in life and you will realize that all this "extra work" that people give you is not worth it. People will ask for a favor or push you to do things, but when you know that you have a full plate and it is not your job or problem to do the work for them, it is okay to say no.
Stress relief or a creative hobby/outlet.
The amazing thing about planners is that there is no steadfast rule to how you use them. Some people just write everything in while others use stickers, washi tape, and different colored pens in their planning routine. If you really want to let your creativity run wild, you could even start bullet journalling. It all depends on your creative desires and what works for you when it comes to planning and setting goals.
Focus on important things.
During a week, you may have several major events to attend to do. In the days leading to a major event, you can be distracted because of your excitement or nervousness about the upcoming major event. It happens to all of us.
With a planner, you can focus on the present important things for the day because you have written everything down. You know that the event on Saturday does not call your attention right now because of the four tasks and two meetings you have to accomplish and attend for Tuesday.
Know your limits and when not to overbook yourself.
Planning is like practicing life. We write down all the things we have to do on the pages of our planner. We may not accomplish all of them. We may hate doing some of them. A planner helps you realize how much workload you can take, what time of the day you are most productive, what makes your day productive and better, and when you need to rest and recharge.
Feel better at the end of the day by crossing out to-do's or tasks.
There is just something great about knowing that you completed your work for the day and crossed or checked out all your tasks on your planner. You feel accomplished and happy because you know you did your best and you were able to finish each task. You are closer to reaching your goals and dreams.
So, what are you waiting for? Start using a planner for all your goal-setting. You lose nothing when you decide to use a planner to organize and enjoy your life. Find the right planner and planning style for you and you will reap all the benefits of planning and hit your goals in no time.
Happy Planning!
x Bella
Photo Credits: @fotografierende via Pexels.com
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