Before I get started, let me just say- I realize that having a paper planner these days is basically the equivalent of chiseling into stone with a hammer and a nail. But- I’m not sure I’ll ever be an electronic calendar person. Physically writing things down really helps me remember them and there is a satisfaction that comes from physically crossing something off on a piece of paper that just cannot be replaced for me.
The planner I’m currently using is the Living Well Planner from Ruth Soukup. I used this planner for 2018 and purchased a second one for the new year. I like the pages that are included at the front of each month where you can put down a list of what needs to get done that month. There’s a little section in the weekly spread where you can jot down what you plan for dinner that night, which I find helpful, and there’s even a two-page budget section. (CHECK OUT ALL OF MY FAVE PLANNING PRODUCTS on my Resources Page).
I set up my year at in January, set up each month before it starts and then set up my week each week on Sunday. To follow through with all of that planning, here’s when I look at my planner every day:
First thing. And by “first thing”, I mean after I’ve woken up, made myself look presentable and had some coffee. I feel like my day goes haywire if I don’t at least give my day a glance first thing in the morning so that I actually remember to do all those things I put on my calendar for the day.
After lunch. I feel like this is the perfect time to check in to see how the day is going. Let’s be real, no one sticks to their schedule to absolute perfection. Things shift around as necessary. This is when I’ll rearrange things or push things off to another day if I know that it won’t realistically get done.
8:30 PM. (ish). I’m a night owl and my husband is an early bird. He goes to sleep early because he works early. After we are both home from work, that’s our time to catch up, make dinner and relax with TV, etc. Once he goes to bed, I relish my alone time to get things done and prep for the next day.
Before bed. I love putting the day to rest before I clock out for the night. I check off everything that got done and shift around the things that didn’t. I check the schedule for the next day and head to bed feeling prepped.
Please tell me that I’m not the only planner nerd out there! What’s your system? How do you keep track of all of your to-dos? Comment below!
Hey, I’m Meghan
Welcome to Morning Coffee, a place where I’ll be writing every week- about my life and my goals, my house, things I love, resources I have and tools I use. It’s not only a place where I can feel joy in sharing my thoughts with the world, but hopefully a place where someone else, maybe you, can find entertainment, inspiration or camaraderie. Let’s be internet friends over a good cup of coffee, yeah?
