Creating Your Own Planner – Start with the Basics
Welcome to the next part of the create your own planner series. We started off with how to print 8.5 by 5.5 planner pages since that was the most requested topic, but today’s topic is really where you should start.
First, decide what you need your planner to do for you. Why do you need a planner? How do you want your planner to help you? Browsing through other people’s planners online can be a great source of inspiration, but it’s also easy to get caught up in wanting to implement all the ideas you see or in wanting all the cool planner accessories, even if that doesn’t really help you. It will be much easier to decide what ideas are for you and which aren’t if you have a clear purpose in mind for you planner.
For myself, I knew I needed something to help keep me focused and to corral all the new product and blog post ideas that are constantly popping into my head. I also wanted something to help me establish good daily routines and habits, and I’m the type of person who enjoys checking tasks off a list. What I did not really need was something to help me keep to track of appointments or commitments. I usually remember those things pretty easily, and I only really have my own appointments to remember. Also, if there is something I think I might not remember, I usually put a reminder in my phone for a couple days in advance and another one the day of, and that was working pretty well for me. There’s no reason to change what is already working for you.
I would encourage you to actually make a list of what you’d like your planner to help you with.
Second, evaluate what is currently working for you and what isn’t working so well with your current planning system (or lack thereof). Start by evaluating your current planner. What do you like about it and what don’t you like? Also, think back to planners that you’ve used in the past. Does anything stand out to you as being particularly annoying or troublesome or particularly helpful? For example, I tried a 3 ring binder a couple years ago, but I hated how big it was and that it couldn’t be flipped back. Therefore, I know that a 3 ring binder is out. I would suggest adding to your list for the things you know you need in a planner.
Third, you’ll need to decide upon the basic format and binding style for your planner. There are so many options available. You could go with a ready made spiral bound planner if you don’t need flexibility or any extras. A 3 ring binder is an option, although I find it a little too bulky. Some people choose to have a separate datebook and homemaking binder. I’ve chosen to stick to just one planner for everything. The option I have chosen is disc bound which allows me to add and change pages, but doesn’t have the bulk of a 3 ring binder. Here is a detailed post I wrote recently about how the disc bound system works.
Copyright 2024, Get Organized HQ.
Jan Says
Thanks for this post! I am very susceptible to planner envy and going with something “cool” and not right for me. But, I am not great and deciding what I will really need. Food for thought!
LauraJane Says
Post authorI think we’re all susceptible to planner envy! It is hard to decide what we really need. Sometimes it does require some trial and error.
Taly Says
I am in the process of doing just this. I have tried so many ways to organize myself. I have a Home Management Binder in A4 binder, but it is so big, I can’t keep it open in my kitchen, so it gets used only for rarely used reference. I have for years just kept a spiral bound small notebook on the kitchen counter, but find I have to rewrite a lot of information. Years ago I had a Franklin Covey Classic binder – way too bulky 🙁 I have been toying with the idea of designing my daily sheets (with customized chore list and checklists), print them on A5 papers and spiral bind them, so I can use that for daily basis in the kitchen and keep me on track. For more advanced planning and scheduling I have started using a vintage DayRunner planner I found in my desk with monthly/weekly planning sheets printed off the internet and various dividers for information I need when out of the house. I don’t want this to become too bulky with homemaking information. As for actual cleaning sheets and home organization I am thinking of repurposing an old A5 hard binder to put all of that in. But that again gives me 3 separate binders….. I am still trying to find the right system for me….
LauraJane Says
Post authorIt definitely takes some work to find just the right system, and nothing is going to be 100% perfect. It takes some trial and error. It sounds like you’ve got a lot of great things going. I know some people have several different planners/homemaking binders, and it works great for them.
christina Says
Thank you so much for this post!!! Your first point really hit home. I’ve been beating myself up trying to change my ways to fit in with someone else’s perfect planner. My mind is blown!! I’m a working Mom to three, wife, and a volunteer. It can get a little crazy as you can imagine. I can’t wait to start defining my own perfect personal planner. Don’t worry! I know some of your designs will be in there. 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorGlad that it hit home for you. I’ve find myself trying to use something that works for someone else but really isn’t right for me.
Brianna Says
I too have fallen madly in love with the disc binders. I’m a full time livein caregiver for an 85 yr old man. My time is normally while he’s ingrossed in his T.V. or after he’s asleep for the night. So i do the bulk of my planning and paperwork at those times. My old 3 ring binders making that loud ‘snap’ sound everytime i opened and closed my binder would wake him up or irritate him when he’s awake. But with the disc binders i can move papers in and out of it quietly without him hearing a thing. The only drawback for me is the disc binders don’t hold as much as the 3 ringers do, so i’m still stuck with using more than one. By the time i put my calendar in it, index tabs, slash pockets, blank paper, checklists, notes, etc etc, then i’m not able to turn the pages gracefully and it becomes a nuisance.
In one photo your pink planner has metal corners, i love that, do you remember where you bought it?
Lovin your blog. 🙂
LauraJane Says
Post authorI had never thought about how much quieter the discbound binders are, but that is true. Opening a traditional 3 ring can be pretty loud. I don’t have any discbound planners with metal edges. I have other planners/notebooks with metal edges, but I’ve never heard of a discbound planner with them.