[Image: https://jazdaigle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LHJ-Planner-2019-4-683x1024.png]
I just purchased my new planner for 2019 and I can't wait to crack into it. I've been using the MAMBI Classic Happy Planner for about 4 years now so there was no hesitation when it came to picking out a brand and size for my new planner; I just had to narrow down the style. The great thing about Happy Planners is that they're disk bound and are super customizable, so even if I pick one that has a cover that I'm not particularly fond of (like the one I chose), I can swap it out for one of the many that I currently have. I can also add extra note pages, folders and even customize things with stickers.
I've blogged aboutmy planner in the past, and I found that it's easy for me to revert to just using my digital planner unless I get creative with what all I'm using my physical one for. In addition to writing down appointments, birthdays and other important dates, I use my planner to jot notes and goals, track items and I even use it for my blog and podcast!
Now I know that your planner needs might not be identical to mine, but I wanted to share some useful ideas that will help y'all actually use the planner you have for longer than a month or the first quarter like so many people often do.
[Image: https://jazdaigle.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/LHJ-Planner-2019-1-1024x768.jpg]
Staying on task:
To-do lists A lot of planners now have to-do list sections and you can even buy inserts if your planner is disk bound like mine is.
Project management Working in project management taught me that it's sometimes easier to tackle a project once you see it broken down into pieces. Put those drawing or Excel skills to use, or even bust out those tracking stickers to help with big projects/event.
Tracking:
Income tracking Whether it's the money you're making from your 9-5 gig or the additional income being brought in from your blog or other side hustle, you can track it in your planner. I put down paydays from work as well as campaign payouts so that I can see what's coming in.
Expense tracking Most of the expense tracking I do in my planner is for the blog. Monthly subscriptions, big purchases, etc. That what I know what I'm looking for when it comes time to do my taxes.
Habit tracking Whether it's tracking steps, water intake, workouts, whatever! These are great to put in your planner for accountability.
Bills Most of my bills aren't on auto-draft so I like writing down due dates so I can make sure they're paid on time.
Debt Payoff I know it might seem like that student loan debt isn't going anywhere, but it is. I track my payments and balance so that I can celebrate the small victories.
Social Life:
Entertainment You can track the books you're reading, the movies you've seen, your Netflix/Amazon Prime/Hulu must-watch list(s).
Volunteer work I have to track my hours anyway for YP and I can easily remember which weekends I did what by just looking in my planner.
Celebrations Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, promotions, holidays, girl's night, etc
Content Creation:
Blog Posts This one's pretty self-explanatory, but you can also jot down blog post ideas!
Social Media Shares See above.
Podcast Content Episode ideas, interview schedules, editing schedules.
Do you use a paper planner? If so, what all do you write in it? I'd love to see what y'all are using your planners for!
