Do you use a day planner to plan your days?
If so, is it paper or electronic?
I use a basic Day-Timer Brand Leather Refillable one that I have used for at least 10 years. These days there are many options for day planner, whether electronic or paper.
I have seen some gorgeous paper ones. I always like to have my week across a two-page spread, so that I can leave it open on my kitchen counter and refer to the entire week.
Last summer, I took the Money Saving Mom’s “Makeover Your Mornings course” and I learned the value of pre-planning. Her suggestion was to be as ready for the morning as possible by eliminating stress and doing it the night before. I followed this suggestion for quite some time and loved it. However, about 2 months ago, I began something completely different; planning my entire week on Sunday evening. I LOVE it!
So Why Plan the Whole Week on Sunday?
- It helps with intentionality
When I have my entire week laid out before me, I can look at the calendar at any given moment and know whether I have the time to add anything else to my week. If the week is already too full, I can easily say “no” to anything that comes up.
- I can switch up my cleaning schedule if needed
This past week, a dear friend had asked if my kids and I would like to come over on Friday for part of the day. (Her children had a day off school and since we homeschool we often try to have play dates when they have time off.) We got together after we had finished our schoolwork for the day. However, Friday is my major cleaning day. Because I knew what my schedule looked like, I had the opportunity to switch Friday and Saturdays tasks around and not be thrown off of my normal schedule.
- I do the schedule once a week instead of every day
This just might be favorite. I do it on Sunday and I don’t have to worry about it for the rest of the week! It’s awesome! Sure, sometimes things come up (and that’s okay) but when they do, I know whether or not I can actually fit them in.
You might be asking, what goes into your day planner?
- All my cleaning tasks, as I divide cleaning throughout the week.
- Any outings
- Phone Calls
- Blogging Tasks
- Exercise
What doesn’t go in my day planner?
- Stuff I do every day (like making my bed)
Making a schedule each week might be helpful for you if:
- You feel like your brain is always spinning because you are trying to remember everything.
- You want more intentionality in your life and feel like you never get to do the things you’d like to.
- You find it hard to find the time to fill in the tasks you need or want to do.
- You don’t have a planner, currently, but would like to get started.
Obviously, I recognize many of you already have awesome ways to organize your days. If you do, why don’t you take a moment to share what works for you in the comments? We are all different, so what works for me, may not work for others. But maybe something you do will work for someone else.
If you enjoyed this content, I’d love if you’d take a moment to share with a friend or via social media.
