Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? Or do you feel like there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done? Chaos, right? There's a simple tool that can make a world of difference: a planner.
The right planner helps you organize your tasks, actually start checking things off your to-do list, and feel more in control. It takes that mental load off your shoulders by giving you a place to write everything down.
In this guide, we'll explore how the right planner can help boost productivity and get more tasks done, no matter your lifestyle. We'll also help you find the perfect planner to improve your productivity.
Key Features to Look for in a Productivity Planner
Layout Options
When choosing a planner, consider how you like to organize your time. Daily layouts are great if you have a lot of tasks each day and break them by the hour. Weekly layouts work well for balancing work and personal life, giving you a snapshot of your week ahead. Monthly layouts help with long-term planning, like tracking project milestones, remembering important deadlines, or planning major events.
Customization and Size
Some planners let you add sections for notes, habit tracking, or budget and meal planning. If you love to personalize, look for a planner that allows you to add or rearrange pages.
Size is another consideration—a smaller planner that fits in your bag will be more practical if you're always on the move. If you like to spread out your thoughts and ideas, a larger planner with plenty of writing space might be more your style.
Additional Productivity Tools
Look for planners that offer more than just calendar pages and can really boost your productivity. For example, habit trackers help you stay on top of daily routines like exercising or reading. Goal-setting pages let you break down big dreams into actionable steps, making it easier to achieve them. And don't underestimate the power of a little inspiration—some planners include motivational quotes that can give you a positive boost when you need it most.
These additional features add value by helping you stay on track with daily tasks and bigger goals, whether finishing a book each month or sticking to a workout routine.
Best Planner Recommendations To Improve Productivity
Below is a mix of physical and digital planners widely used and recommended around the world that you can choose from.
1. First Step Planner by Gregory Books
Designed around the principle that small steps lead to big results, First Step Planner by Gregory Books is an undated planner that helps you focus on what truly matters. Inside this A5 hardcover leather planner, you'll find various thoughtful features: a book tracker section, daily quotes for inspiration, and prompts that help you set and review daily, weekly, and long-term goals.
The planner also includes sections for practicing gratitude, which can enhance your positivity and productivity. Its expandable inner pocket, two ribbon bookmarks, and an elastic band closure make it both functional and stylish. It's also ideal for beginners with its detailed instructions and straightforward layout, guiding you to prioritize tasks and manage your time efficiently.
Inspired by the principles of Atomic Habits, the First Step Planner's emphasis on consistent actions and emotional intelligence encourages self-reflection and personal growth.
2. Structured - Daily Planner available on Apple Store and Google Play Store
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When talking about digital planners, the Structured Daily Planner is often a top recommendation. The app seamlessly integrates with Calendar and Reminders, effortlessly syncing your tasks, appointments, and deadlines. This provides a unified view of your schedule across all your devices. With customization options like color-coding tasks, setting reminders, and creating recurring events, it offers a highly personalized planning experience.
A standout feature of Structured is its time-blocking capability, a productivity technique that helps you allocate specific periods for tasks, ensuring each hour of your day is used effectively. Its availability on both iOS and Android further enhances its appeal, making it an excellent choice for anyone looking to streamline their daily planning in a digital format.
3. MUJI Philippines Planners
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MUJI planners have carved a niche among those seeking a minimalist yet effective way to organize their lives. They're perfect for people who like things neat and tidy. No fancy stuff, just practical pages to help you stay on top of your life.
The layouts are simple and uncluttered, allowing you to focus on your tasks and schedules without distractions. MUJI also provides various formats, including monthly, weekly, and daily planners. Despite their minimalist design, these planners offer flexibility, with ample space for notes, doodles, and customization, allowing you to adapt the planner to your personal preferences.
4. Piso Planner by Chinkee Tan
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While this one is specifically a finance planner, it still lands on our list of most recommended planners as it instills discipline habits beyond managing money. Guided by Chinkee Tan, a well-known financial coach in the country, the Piso Planner has principles of goal-setting, habit formation, and progress tracking that are universally applicable, making it a valuable tool for overall productivity and personal growth.
The planner includes sections that help you track your income, expenses, savings, and investments. It also provides financial tips, motivational quotes, and practical advice throughout, keeping you inspired and informed as you work toward financial freedom. However, the Piso Planner is not only for those focused on improving their finances but also for anyone looking to enhance their overall productivity and achieve their goals more effectively.
Choosing the Right Planner for Your Needs
Take the time to find the planner that fits your life and not just pick one off the shelf. Are you a student with a packed class schedule? A professional managing multiple projects? Or a parent wanting to organize your meal and budget plans?
Consider where you are in life as well as how detailed you would like your planning to be. Some people also find having both a digital and a paper planner helpful. You could use your digital planner for appointments and big-picture stuff, while your paper planner is for daily tasks and brainstorming.
Again, take the time to assess your needs, try out different options, and don't be afraid to adjust as you go. With the right planner, you'll finally complete more tasks, stay on top of your tasks or coursework, or manage your entire life. You'll soon see how it can make a huge difference in your daily routine.
You may also want to similar blogs:
- Top 10 Planners You Can Buy in the Philippines
- 10 Essential Lessons from 'Get Out of My Head: Inspiration for Overthinkers in an Anxious World’