Depending on our memory, former procrastinators, is a weight that drags us down. We often run through our days working away at things that pop into our heads – instead of working the priorities we deliberately thought through ahead of time.
Relying on memory requires brain energy we need for other things. Would you rather repeat “Buy Kleenex” to yourself all day or be free to pay attention to the boss’s new program? Write down priorities plus “little things” to relieve yourself of a mental burden.
So, use a planner throughout the day. A planner that works for you supercharges the triumphant trio – priorities, routine, and mini habits. It’s a treasure for former procrastinators doing what needs doing when it needs doing.
Use your phone if you prefer. Alarms on my phone coordinate with my paper planner.
At least one company has devised a planner that addresses life categories, do lists, and daily scheduling. See the funnel down system at the end of the post. Or, use a spiral notebook open to a double page spread. But the concept serves extremely well. Picture a funnel leading down from many items to a schedule, like this:
Categories are the areas in life I need to give regular attention (priorities). They’re horizontal across the top. Some of mine are family/ household/ fitness and personal growth / POP ministry. Under each I write what I intend to do that week – several items, or just one. Having them in the planner keeps me mindful of that area of life.
Below, horizontally, are the days of the week, with space for a do list under each. You place the items from categories on the days of the week you choose. Other do list items may go here too.
Finally, below each day’s do list is a schedule for that day. Write appointments beside the hour. This includes anything you want to do at a specific time.
Check out www.plannerpads.com to see the funnel system. But use something that works for you.
My planner prompts me regarding priorities, routine, and mini habits. I write down the simplest things because it’s easy to forget and drift away. On each day I write Ex/SM/Rd. Exercise/Scripture memory/ Read. Two don’t take long but they’re important.
A planner is a prompter and a burden reliever. We need both.
What do you use for a planner?
Very important point. I use a physical agenda that has drawings as decorations that I can paint if I want: agenda/painting book. Additionally, I use an app called “TeuxDeux’ to write down any to do whenever I can’t Access my agenda, or simply, the notes app in my phone.
Andrea, sounds like this works well for you- and that’s the key. Thanks for ideas!