Do you wish you could get more done during the week? Do you have great ideas that never seem to come to life? If you answered yes, it might be time to add a daily planner to your life.

Whether you use a paper or digital planner, writing your goals, ideas, and plans is a great way to organize your week and get more done.

If you need help starting or keeping a planner, fear not, because here is a list of tips you can use.

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Practice consistency

Keeping a daily planner can be exciting and fulfilling.  You faithfully log important dates, events, and goals in the early days.  Then life happens.  Before you know it, your planner is in the corner collecting dust.

Lack of consistency is one of the reasons people lose interest in keeping a daily planner.  But consistency is the key.

Studies show that to develop a new habit, you need to do it consistently for it to take effect.

If you fail to use your planner daily, it’s easy to fall out of habit and stop using it altogether.

One of the ways I stay consistent in writing in my planner is by keeping it with me. I also keep it in places where I see it every day. This reminds me to keep writing in it and helps me make it a part of my daily routine.

Record as much as you can

People tend to think they can remember a whole host of minor details and facts in the confines of their heads. I used to be one of those people.

But the experience taught me that it could be hard to keep track when I have multiple tasks ahead of me, such as appointments, holidays, meetings, and even grocery shopping.

Research shows that we remember things better when we write things down.  I learned to take the time to write down all of the events I have going on.  As a result, I can free up my mind to think about more important things. Ultimately, I felt l less overwhelmed and more at ease.

Keeping a planner not only helps you to stay organized but can give you a clearer head too.

Use a smaller-sized planner

If you’re worried about carrying a large planner, consider keeping a smaller-sized planner. A smaller planner can fit more easily in your backpack or a handbag.

Large, bulky desk planners can be aesthetically pleasing, but they’re just not as practical.

By choosing a planner that is more compact, you can take notes on the go.

As new tasks or activities come up throughout the day,  you can whip out your smaller-sized planner on the spot.

Don’t stress about filling it in

Many people think that it’s pointless having a planner if they don’t fill in every available space, but this isn’t the case.

Your planner should be a direct reflection of your life. Some weeks might be empty, but others might be packed with tasks, events, or reminders. Enjoy the weeks when you don’t have as much to do.

If you enjoy writing things down but don’t necessarily have much to fill in your planner, you should consider keeping a diary too.

This will help you jot down any thoughts and ideas floating around your head and will also help to satisfy your craving to write things down.

Personalize your daily planner

The prospect of making it look aesthetically pleasing can give you an incentive to start keeping a planner.

There are so many ways that you can spruce up a boring old planner by filling it with drawings, quotes, and stickers.

You can style it according to your unique style and taste because, after all, a planner should be a reflection of you and your daily life.

Pinterest has many ideas on how to accessorize your planner, so why not look to find some inspiration?

Use action words with each task

If you want to complete a task, use action words. This will help you get it done. Action words can include things like “create,” “organize,” and “research.” Using action words will make you more likely to complete the task.

Add a goal-tracking section

If you want to stay on top of your habits, add a goal-tracking section.

Having a goal-tracking section in your planner is an excellent way to keep track of things like how much water you drink each day or your workout schedule.

This could help provide structure to your day.  The goal-tracking section helps you keep track of your plans and reminds you why they are important. You’ll be more likely to achieve these goals if they’re written and visible.

Final thoughts

Keeping a daily planner is a fantastic way to track all your tasks and activities.  Over the years, I have come to love a variety of planners and notebooks.  One of them is the Erin Condren LifePlanner.  You can find out more by watching the video below.

Remember to have fun, no matter what type of planner you choose.