Build the habit
How to use a planner
Five minutes, same time, every day. The planner is only as good as that habit.
Why it usually falls apart
Most planners are bought with enthusiasm, decorated for a week, then abandoned. The problem is usually that planning has no fixed time and the system is too elaborate. A planner sticks when you open it at the same moment every day and the daily spread takes five minutes to fill.
How to use a planner
Plan at the same time
Open the planner at a fixed point, like with morning coffee or at the end of the workday. Attach it to an existing habit.
Keep the daily page simple
Three priorities, appointments and a short to-do list. That is enough.
Plan the week on Sunday
Ten minutes to look at the week ahead: appointments, deadlines and priorities.
Carry it everywhere
A planner left at home is useless. Keep it in your bag or on your desk.
Migrate unfinished tasks
At the end of each day, move unfinished tasks to tomorrow or cross them off.
Keep the decoration optional
Fancy layouts are fun but take time. Function first.
What to track
Track the smallest version you would still count on your worst day. A row you can clear when tired is a row you keep:
- Planner opened every morning
- Three priorities written
- Sunday weekly plan
Print a tracker with these 3 habits or open them in a spreadsheet.
Your first week
- Day 1. Choose the time and habit your planning follows.
- Day 2. Write three priorities for today.
- Day 3. Add appointments and tasks.
- Day 4. Move unfinished tasks at the end of the day.
- Day 5. Carry the planner all day.
- Day 6. Do the daily plan again.
- Day 7. Plan next week on Sunday.
How to use a planner
Paper or digital planner?
Whichever you will use. Paper is good for focus and memory, digital for reminders and sharing.
How do I plan my day?
Write three priorities, add appointments, then a short list of other tasks. Do the priorities first.
What should I put in my planner?
Appointments, deadlines, daily priorities and a to-do list. Habit trackers and notes are optional extras.
Related habits
- How to be more organizedOrganized people put things back. That small habit does most of the work.
- How to be more productiveDo the important thing first. Most of productivity comes down to that.
- How to stop being lateYou are not bad at time. You are guessing, and guessing short.
- All the habits65 habits to break or build, each with a first week laid out.
- 70 bad habits, each with a swapThe full list, grouped by where they show up in your day, with a printable for each group.
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