Planner Power: Or, Why I Lug Around My Binder Everywhere I Go | The Speckled Goat: Planner Power: Or, Why I Lug Around My Binder Everywhere I Go

1.20.2016

Planner Power: Or, Why I Lug Around My Binder Everywhere I Go

Paper planners are all the rage- but why do they matter, anyway? This post explains why paper planners are really super awesome- and how using one can help you organize your life!


Need a pen?

I've got one.

What were the dimensions of the bathroom ceiling? Lemme look it up a minute...

When was that doctor's appointment again?

Gotcha covered.




I like being prepared.

I like having my, erm, "poop in a group."

It doesn't always happen. Scratch that- it rarely happens. Just glance at my desk at work if you need a little proof...

Despite my lack of having-it-all-togetherness, I've managed to stay sane through the past few months- months that have included living in a camper, a home remodel, my husband being injured (so, lots of appointments and medication notes), as well as working full time.

It's been a ride.

Without the overwhelming grace of God (hallelujah) and a little organization on my part, I couldn't have done it.

Honestly, having a paper planner was always a part of my life- even in middle school, that little assignment notebook they gave us in class was full of notes and details. When school was over, though, and I'd graduated college, I realized just how much I really needed that formal organization.

In came The Binder.

This thing is so important to me that I carry it around all the time. I've sacrificed the dream of having a small purse- my binder is that important.

large purse binder yellow planner

**This post contains affiliate links**


Having a planner is more than just a way to write down a to-do list- it's a way to organize a full life, to be intentional with the time we've been given. To follow through on goals, to make intentional connections, to schedule my weeks, my months, my years.

I flippin' love that thing.

Generally, I've designed my pages myself so that I can customize them to fit my needs (you can read all about that here), but you really don't have to be as anal retentive particular as I am.

There are tons of awesome planners out there that you can use, and adapt, to make life easier.

I know that we're already into January, but honestly, you don't need to struggle through another year unplanned and un-binder-ed.

Here are a couple of my favorites:



Dreams by Design Planner: a newer company, but with great colors, intuitive design, and great goal planning stuff. I LOVE her weekly master schedule. Love it. So helpful.




Franklin Covey: basically the granddaddy of planners, this company has been around for-ev-er and knows planners inside and out. They have a ton (a ton) of products, pages, and designs available. And they have cute notepads, too.

And, because I love me a good deal...





Emily Ley: planners for the beauty-lovers, Emily Ley features clean, colorful, pretty designs. Their Simplified Planner is great if a ring binder isn't what you're going for, and they also offer free printables that are super cute. 



Do you use a paper planner?
What has helped you to stay organized and on-top-of-it?



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6 comments :

  1. Yesss! I MUST have a planner otherwise, I lose my mind. Everything goes into it. I ended up just getting one from Target and then making some of my own printables. Works perfect!

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    1. Yeah, that's the thing. I've found that the more complicated the planner, the less likely I am to actually use it!

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  2. Can you tell me the details of the purse itself? What kind is it?

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  3. Sure thing! It's a bag by Duluth Trading Company- it's an older one (in a canvas version) and I super, super love it. They don't make the exact model anymore, but this one is pretty similar (non-affiliate link) : http://women.duluthtrading.com/store/product/womens-canvas-travel-tote-84703.aspx?processor=content

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  4. I love love love my planner! I have tried phone apps and online syncing things but mostly, I just love to write it down and carry it with me. I don't even make mine as pretty and cute as some other people (which I admire but I lack the time and determination and skills). I find that I remember so much more in my brain when I write it down and look at it often. I hate carrying a purse at all, but I got mine to acommodate my planner as well. :)

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    1. If the purse doesn't fit the planner, it's got to go! =)

      I've tried to make mine look pinterest-y and pretty, but then I don't actually use it because I'm afraid I'll mess it up. Which, you know, defeats the whole purpose!

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