My entire life, I’ve been a planner. Planner organization is my thing. I like to look forward to things. I like to know that something in the future has a countdown. Through the years, I’ve had many different planners. From the physical form to the digital form. Over the last year or so, I’ve used 4 different notebooks plus my phone calendar as my “planner”. One notebook for my blog editorial calendar, one for blog ideas, one for my to do list and one notebook for general note taking. I hauled at least 2 of those notebooks/journals every where I went. Recently, I won a planner and now I no longer carry around 4 different journals. I’ve combined my editorial calendar and to do list into one notebook. I still have my other 2 journals but I don’t carry them all around with me. Just my planner. (Such a change!!) I’ve created some planner organization tips below to help you get started. Don’t forget to visit my Planner Tips page
So, I’m using The Happy Planner™. And I absolutely love it. It’s made by Me & My Big Ideas. You can find it on Amazon and in store at Hobby Lobby and Michaels. The price point is amazing ($25) and if you have a coupon for either HobLob or Michaels, then the price point is even better! And the crafty part of me loves spending time over each weekend planning out my next week and decorating it with fun stickers and washi tape.
Before we get to the tips, here’s some of my favorite Planner Sticker Shops!! Go sticker crazy like me!!
Staying organized has helped me manage my stress levels. It keeps me on track and allows me some peace of mind that I’m not just flying by the seat of my pants (which I do with most things in my life).
PLANNER ORGANIZATION TIPS
ONE | Get some lined notes that you can insert into your planner.
The Happy Planner™ has these skinny lined inserts that are perfect for an overflowing to do list. I can pull it out from week to week until everything is marked off the list. If I have questions that I need to answer for people, I can write it down on one of these skinny inserts. Perfect!
TWO | Color Code Your Calendar.
I’m not 100% color coded by type of things I’m inserting, but I do use different colors so that my week’s appointments/events stand out from day-to-day.
THREE | Mark your spot.
I created my own Planner Bookmark. I can flip open my planner right to the spot where I need to be. I don’t have to flip flip flip to figure out what week I’m in.
FOUR | Get folder inserts.
I use folder inserts to hold important papers. Because I keep my planner with me at all times, I want to make sure I keep the important stuff close by too. Perfect solution: folder inserts!
FIVE | Pick a day and plan out your week.
I pick one of my weekend days to sit down and take time to plan out my week and look at my upcoming weeks. It allows me to refresh my brain about what’s coming up. And it gives me an excuse to decorate a new week!
Here’s a peek at one of my layouts:
Do you have a planner? Are you a planner addict? Don’t forget to check out my Favorite Planner Sticker Shops!
MORE PLANNER TIPS TO CHECK OUT:
(Where I Party)
Whitney says
I have the same planner!!! woohoo! it rocks!
Samantha says
I am so obsessed with this planner after Periscope the other night. I need to go snag one for 2016!
Courtney says
I’m a total planner, too. I like seeing what I have to do each day and when I have free time. I’ve got a small collection of pretty paper clips I’ve made to mark my week and I place it in my planner so I can easily flip between the week and month view. It helps me out so much!
Loved this post. Stopping by from the Inspiration Monday Link Party 🙂
– Courtney
courtneylthings.blogspot.com
Anastasia says
I love a good planner! It is so essential for a smooth day! I need to use a bookmark now!
Visiting from Mom 2 Mom link-up!
Life Breath Present says
I’m not sure I’m a planner addict, but I do love planning and being organized. I started making my own planners so I can have the layout and everything that works best for me! 🙂
Maria says
Like you, I’m a huuuge planner too, and you and I just happen to have the same planner as well. I love my Happy Planner! The stickers are great and the add ons are even better (I have the to-do list and pocket folders too). It’s made such a difference in my planning and the flow of my day. So glad I found your post on Totally Terrific Tuesday! Glad to know I’m not the only one so dedicated to planning 🙂 Have a great day, Taylor!
Christie says
I’m stopping by from Totally Terrific Tuesday, thanks for linking up with us this week! I have this planner, and it has truly changed my life. I have the planner, stickers, to-do pad and folders that go with it. I love it! I can’t say enough about it, and I’ve been planning on doing a post about it, too. 🙂 I’m so glad you discovered it and enjoy it as much as I do. Happy planning!
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera says
Another dedicated planner here! I’ve heard great things about the Happy Planner.
Renee says
woah! this looks awesome!! I laughed out loud at this post b/c i too have 4 notebooks!! A journal, a notebook for to-do lists, a calendar, and a blog planner. Hahaha. maybe I should consider this as more of an “all in one” strategy!
Alice Megan says
I’m a complete stationery addict and am on the lookout for a brand new planner this one sounds lovely!
Stephanie @ Mommyzoid says
I’m such a nerd I just love to look at other peoples planners and see how they use them! I’m so glad planning is a thing that’s really catching on because all the cute new things like those clip in note pads are so amazing. Anything that can keep me on time and in the right place is A-1! Thanks so much for linking up at the Ladies Collective Linkup! Hope to see you back again next week. Can’t wait to see what you share <3
Stephanie @ Mommyzoid
Akaleistar says
What a cute planner! I love seeing how everyone sets up their planners 🙂
Jessica Lasseter says
I’m an obsessive planner! I have a section for my schedule, a section for my to-do lists, a section for my menu planning, a section for my goals and dreams, and a section for my blog!
Debbie says
Lovely ideas! You got me inspired. 🙂
I will surely be pimping my planner after this.
From another pink lover. 🙂
#TurnItUpTuesday
Andrea says
Love your planner! I am an avid planner as well,. and my calendar/planner goes with me everywhere. It certainly helps keep me from missing any obligations.
Thanks for linking up to This is How We Roll linky party!
Samantha says
I love to decorate my planner too – Sunday evenings is my planner time, I get snuggled up with a hot drink and end up covered in scraps of washi and odd stickers! Think I’m gonna give your idea of colour coding my appointments a go this week.
Trish says
Where did you get pocket folders to fit the happy planner?
Nicole | The Professional Mom Project says
I love planners! They hold so much promise for a new year/school year. I’m also all over the folder inserts. I need a place to put all of my bills, documents etc so they don’t get lost. Found your post at #InspireMeMonday and love the podcast btw!
Melanie says
I am always looking for the perfect planner and can never seem to find everything that I want in one, without spending a fortune! I am definitely going to be trying this one out. Thanks for sharing!
Valerie says
Those are some great tips especially the one about color coding. I recently got more serious about using my planner and I am slowly learning some techniques to help keep my planner more organized.
Lucie says
Hi, Taylor! I found you through #totallyteriffictuesday! I am right there with you…I could not get along without my planner. It is with me 24/7. Decorating and jazzing it up motivates me to do what it says inside! Thanks for sharing with such a creative post!
Morgan @ Morgan Manages Mommyhood says
I love this! I just got into the whole planning thing and I’m obsessed!
samantha says
These are great tips! I love all the colorful tape, it makes planning so much more fun. Thanks for joining the Family Joy Link Party!
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I can never find a planner I like so I’ve started making my own. Color coding saves me completely! Even on the calendar on my phone, everyone has their own color. Makes it so much easier. (visiting from This is How We Roll)
Tanya @ Mom's Small Victories says
I’m a total planner addict too. I have tried all kinds of systems and currently have a Plum Paper for my blog and a day designer for personal. Stopping by from Friendship Friday. I hope you’ll link up with my Pretty Pintastic Party and Small Victories Sunday Linkup going on now as well!
Jamie says
This is perfect for those that love to plan!! Thank you for sharing with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Kim Miller says
What a pretty planner! I’m in the process of creating a new planner for myself – was using a Size 4 but I’m going to a Size 5 (the 8.5×11 type) because I want to have more space to record work AND home items and not use it just solely for work, and with two teenagers, hubby, the dog and myself – there is LOTS to record and keep track of! Thanks for adding the post to Sunday’s Best Linkup Week 82!
Lisa @ Fun Money Mom says
I love my planner but this one looks awesome too! I might have to check it out when it’s time for a new one. Thanks for sharing with us at Share The Wealth Sunday. I hope we see you again tonight!
Lauren says
I’ll have to check out your planner! I really need a good planner. Thanks for sharing your tips at Motivation Monday on Mom Home Guide!
Adelien Tan says
It is not easy to be consistent with our planner. Great motivating post! I am a visual person as well. Colors are very helpful for me. Thank you for sharing at Family Fun Friday.
Susan says
I’ve always been a planner too. These are great tips. Gotta love color coding!
Congrats on your feature in the #ThisIsHowWeRoll link party on Organized 31. Pinning now!