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Last week I released my brand new DAILY planner – did you hear the news (here’s the announcement)? I am so excited for this tool and thought I’d share a couple tips and tricks for how I’m using it myself with the hope that it will help you too! If you’re using a different planner, my tips can still help you get it set up 🙂 Like a video format? I shared a video on my YouTube channel here.
Let’s get started…..
First things first, think a little bit about how you want your planner to look – this is a tool that you’ll be using for a year so it’s important to put a little thought into it first. Do you want to use color? Black + white? Choose a writing implement or two and a small stack of sticky notes and/or a notepad get started.
Here are my must-have planner tools:
- pens
- colored pencils
- paper clips
- large bulldog clip
- sticky notes
- notepads
- stickers
- eraser
Start by filling out the month you’re starting with and as many other months you’d like to start with – I recommend filling in months as you need them.
The Clean Mama DAILY Planner includes 2018 and 2019 at-a-glance and holiday calendars perfect for referring to as you’re setting up the year.
Put the DAILY planner where you’ll use it. I keep mine in my office on my desk open to the current day and then at the end of my work day I turn it to the next day.
Choose a time of day to fill it out for the day ahead. You might want to fill it out the evening before or in the morning or maybe a little bit all day long 🙂
I start with the TOP 3 TASKS and frame my day around that. These are the three things that I need to get done. It might be work related, family related, or home related – these are the must-dos.
PRODUCTIVITY TIP: On days where I have a lot going on or I feel overwhelmed, or in preparation for the weekend/week ahead, I’ll do a little brain dump and write down all the things that are swirling around in my head. Then I prioritize them and put them into the next day. If they’re on paper and one of my TOP 3, I know I’ll get them done.
When using other planners I have always struggled with 4 things:
- not enough space to write
- time slots that made me feel constricted
- feeling like the planner was lost when I didn’t keep up with the pre-printed days, weeks, and/or months
- the prompts were irrelevant or non-existent
I set out to create a planner that was different and encourages just the right amount of productivity in a beautiful and simple way. I love having a spot for all those little things that I think about during the day in my planner. Money, homekeeping, menu planning, errands, health – these categories all have a spot to jot down a reminder or a whole list.
Here are a few little things I do that help me keep things organized.
- I use a paper clip on the current day and move it as I go.
- I use a little color coding with colored pencils to keep things together.
- I separate work and home. By keeping these two things separate, I find that I get more done in each category per day.
- I keep receipts, stamps, stickers, and notes in the back pocket so they’re handy.
A.E. Says...
Thank you so much for these posts, sharing your experience and your insights! I also like how it works well for a more advanced home organizer or a beginner.
Melissa Says...
Does this have a section with a month at a glance? I think that would be the only other thing I need. The constraints you mentioned about traditionslotger planners is my problem!! I so want to try yours but I love, & find I need, to be able to glance at month in one to plan out bigger things, like appointments etc.
Thank you for sharing your system!
b r Says...
Post authorYes, there’s a two-page monthly spread 🙂
Alba Says...
Hi,
I live is South Africa, and love your planner, but it will be so expensive of I order it due to the value of the Rand.
Just wanted to let you know that it looks awesome!
b r Says...
Post authorThank you Alba!
Erica Scafe Says...
Already ordered mine, I can’t wait! I love that the day isn’t broken down hourly… as a stay at home Mom who works at home, I don’t have a lot of time commitments, just a lot to do! I really like the idea of separating work and home tasks.
Fran Philip Says...
I would love to own one of these however I live in Australia and you don’t ship here. Please reconsider sending here. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
b r Says...
Post authorI’m working on it Fran!
Steve Says...
Fran – Australia Post has ShopMate to get your Clean Mama planner delivered to Australia 🙂
Lisa Hudson Says...
Thank you for the close up pages! I wish I had seen these when I was making a decision on a new planner last week. I pulled the trigger on something else, because I couldn’t find a big enough image. I like yours much better than what I ended up with 🙁
b r Says...
Post authorOh no, sorry about that!
Michele Says...
I too ordered another planner but I fell in love with this when I saw it! So, of course, I ordered it!! It’s not pre-dated so I can always use later…and I ordered a weekly planner not a daily so maybe 2 planners might be the ticket for me LOL. And I like getting it discounted. So winner winner chicken dinner… I can’t wait for it to get here!!!!!!
b r Says...
Post authorThank you Michele!
Maggie Grant Says...
Hi.
I have bought some of your printables in the past and it works great. I would love to buy your daily planner, but you do not ship out to Australia. Is it possible to make it available as a printable?
Thank you
b r Says...
Post authorHi Maggie! I am working on International shipping but in the meantime, there are companies (ShopMate + Borderlinx are two examples) that will ship to a US address and then ship to you. I have had quite a few customers use them 🙂
Jessie D Says...
How do you use the goal section? I don’t think I am utilizing that section well. Would love to hear your thoughts!
b r Says...
Post authorI use it for an over-reaching accomplishment or as a gentle reminder for myself. It might be salad for lunch or it might be walk the dog or read for 15 minutes. 🙂
Tami Says...
Hi, I love the way you do your planner!! Does it ever get discounted! Would love to have one but just too expensive for me! I love your site and all that y’all do! Thanks
b r Says...
Post authorEvery once in a while I have a discount code – stay tuned!
Mitzi Says...
Hey there! I am very interested in purchasing your planner. It looks just like what I need. But before I invest over $50, is there any way to test out the today sheet through a pdf? I would be happy to pay for it.
b r Says...
Post authorHi Mitzi! I don’t have it available as a download – sorry!
Supermarette Says...
Hi Becky! I love this planner, and your tips for using it!! When is the 2019 version going to be available? I see the current one is Sold Out! Thanks, and keep sharing all your cleaning and organizing tips — love your site and your blog!
b r Says...
Post authorLook for all the details this week!
Supermarette Says...
will do – thanks!