Tools to Help With Planning
This month the theme has been goal setting and planning. It did occur to me, however, that some may not know what tools are out there to help with planning. As I have mentioned in my previous post, How to Plan Your Entire Year, you need to find a way to plan that works for you.
I have decided to put together some resources that may be helpful to you. Whether you are a digital guru or an old fashioned pen and paper type of person like myself, I’m sure you will find something in this post to help you get started with planning and make your life a little easier.
Digital Tools
Since it is 2020, and it seems that technology is taking over our lives, I am going to start by listing some digital tools and resources.
1. Google Calendar. I hear so many people talking about Google Calendar. I will be honest, I tried using it but it just wasn’t for me.
Pros:
One of the things that I was drawn to is the fact that you can color code different events and that it is always right with you either on your phone or desktop. There is an app you can download right on your phone for easy access. Another good thing about Google Calendar is that you can add reminders and notifications to alert you before the event happens also.
Cons:
Once I downloaded the app and tried using it, I was a little disappointed. I found it kind of annoying that I had to type out the event, choose a different button for the time, click on a different button to add in any details, then click another button to set reminders about the event. It seemed to take me longer to add in my plans then the actual plan would take.
Maybe I just didn’t have the patience to stick with it and learn. I felt it was taking me more time to do that then I wanted to spend on it. Everyone is different though. If the reminders and notifications will help you, I suggest using this. And like anything else, I’m sure if you do it consistently, it won’t take you long to input the information into the calendar.
2. Cozi. Now THIS is an app I do use and LOVE using it. Cozi is the ultimate family planner/organizer and list making app. I found that this app was a lot simpler to use than Google Calendar, which is probably why I continually use it.
Pros:
Some of the features and reasons I love this app is that yes, it is a calendar, but you can also document all types of lists like grocery lists, to-do lists, even menu and meal planning. You can also add family members (spouses and children) and associate each person with a color. So when your child has a dentist appointment, you mark it in the calendar with that child’s color.
An even BETTER thing about this app is that you can share it with your family members. You can share it with your spouse or children (if they are old enough). If one person is at the grocery store, they have the grocery list and know what to buy without bothering you. I have talked about this in the past as well and am a firm believer in enabling independence in children and teaching children to be organized and this could be a great tool to help get them started.
Cons:
There are a few features that require a subscription fee. Some of those features would be a birthday tracker, or a calendar search feature. Honestly, I have used the free version and have not had to upgrade to a paid account.
3. Freedom. The Freedom App is an app and website blocker that you can use to help you turn off any distractions from the internet and social media for a certain amount of time that you set.
Pros:
I know it may seem a little odd that I bring this app up when I am talking about using digital tools, however, I do think that this tool is useful when planning or doing anything productive. To get things done, it is important to be distraction free and this can help with that. Do not be distracted by a notification symbol that pops up on Facebook or an email that you just received.
According to the Freedom website, there have been studies that show that “every time you check email, a social feed, or respond to a notification, your mind requires 23 minutes of re-focus time to get back on task.” Let that sink in. 23 minutes. That’s an episode of your favorite television show. That is so much time that you could be saving by simply not being distracted.
Cons:
You can only use the Freedom App seven times (I believe) before you have to pay to use it. The only other downside I could see with this is that when I went to set it up on my phone for the first time, I had to go through the settings on my phone and set it up. Then, when I tried to use it, it asked me something about VPN’s. I do not know much about this technology stuff so when it starts asking me questions like allowing certain things, I get a little skeptical because I don’t know much about what I am actually allowing. If you are okay with these things and have an understanding of it, by all means.
4. Todoist. Todoist is another app and website that you can use as a way to digitally document you daily to-dos. Whether you need to make a list for tasks at work, or in your private life, you can use this and carry it with you wherever you have internet access.
Pros:
This app is free and very simple to use. If you are looking for a simple to-do list, this is great. You can write down everything you need to do that day. You can drag items to put them into a certain order either by time or priority. You can plan for things for the same day and even in advance. It is almost like a calendar, however, you can’t view it like a typical calendar. When making a to-do list in writing, there is no better feeling or sense of accomplishment when you cross that thing off or put a check mark next to it. With Todoist, you can get that same satisfaction by marking the item as complete. The app even rewards you with “medals” and “Karma Points”. Talk about motivation!
Cons:
As with any free app, there is also an upgrade feature on the app with a monthly fee that gives you even more. If you want to set reminders for yourself, you would have to pay the upgrade price. It is only $3 a month r $36 for the year, which isn’t bad. I have seen worse. But let’s face it, why pay for things if you don’t have to. The drawback to this is that you have to be diligent in checking your tasks without the reminders. I think if you were to use this app on your desktop at work, it would work perfectly. It saves from paper clutter on your desk and you can constantly prioritize it if something urgent comes up. I think I would bite the bullet and buy the upgrade though if I wanted to use it regularly in my personal life as well.
Not So Digital Tools
1. Paper Planners. Of course I am going to start off with the tried and true paper planner. This is what I personally like to use. It is something that just works for me. There are so many different options and types of planners that you can choose from as well. I like to use the At A Glance brand planner. It is simple and it offers a monthly calendar view and a day to day view as well.
Pros:
I like using the planners that have a monthly calendar and a day to day calendar as well. I like the monthly calendar because I can write down the plans for the month in one spot. I then like to use the day to day calendar part for my daily to-do list. I get to keep everything in one calendar so it’s easier to reference. I especially like this for my business as well because it is easier for me to see trends, such as busy times or busy seasons as well. For me, I also seem to remember my schedule better off the top of my head when I actually write it down. I do look at it every day, but I still remember days ahead of what is going on for the rest of the week. You can also color code your paper planner. I color code mine simply by using different colored markers or pens. I like to use the Paper Mate Felt Tip Pens to help with color coding my planner. It makes it look pretty and it is visually appealing for me.
Cons:
You may have to carry your planner with you throughout the day, or at least maybe leave it in your car if you are like me and like the big planners. You will also have to buy another one every year. Another downside to this is that if you are not a person who is good about checking a calendar on a regular basis, then this may not be the best option for you.
2. Bullet Journals. I think that bullet journals are a great way for someone who is very artistic to help with planning.
Pros:
If you like to express yourself through art, then this is definitely an option for you. I have seen so many different examples of bullet journals. I just wish I was a good enough drawer where it came naturally to me and was effortless to create this. Bullet journals are totally customizable and you can put whatever you want in them. I've seen some where of course they have calendars, but they also have visual goals. Last week I talked about Setting Goals and this is a place you can track your goals. You can make to-do lists, weight trackers, water intake trackers, financial trackers, the list goes on and on. Not to mention the convenience of having everything in one place.
Cons:
These journals can take a lot of time and effort into setting up and designing, but again, if you enjoy doing it, it will not seem like such a chore. Another downside is that you will probably have to do another one each year or sooner, depending on how many pages you use up.
3. White Boards. White boards can be a more basic tool to use as a calendar especially if you want to have your whole family see it. You can buy white boards that are already lined out either weekly or monthly and you can fill in the dates as you go each week or month.
Pros:
This is a simple way to have the week planned out for everyone in the family to see. You can put the major things happening that week on there such as doctors appointments, parties, games for the kids, etc. That why, if someone needs a reminder, it is right there and they don’t have to bug you about when the plans are! Some people like to put these in a place in their command centers or just hanging in a spot where everyone can see. These are pretty low maintenance as well. You just update it either every week or monthly, whichever you decide to get.
Cons:
One thing for me that I could see being a nuisance with using a white board is that you still have to write it down or have it documented for yourself somehow. Yes, you will see it everyday before leaving the house, but will you remember it after you have worked an 8 hour (or longer) shift at work that day? Another downside is that if someone rubs against the board, it may smudge and then you risk not remembering. I think if I were going to use a white board, I would use the white board as a second method for myself and my family. I would have everything in a paper planner (or my phone/digitally) and then just put the main points that the whole family needs to be aware of on the white board.
4. Vision Boards and Charts. Planning isn’t just about marking events down in a calendar. It is also about having goals and making plans to achieve those goals.
Pros:
Vision boards and charts are a nice way to help motivate you to stay on track for whatever goals you are trying to attain. Depending on your goals, some people create vision boards, others like to have charts. Whichever you like to do, these are great motivators and ways to track your progress. Let’s say, for example, that you are saving money for a vacation. You can have a chart that you fill in that tracks how much you have saved. Then in your calendar, you can mark dates of how much money you want to have saved by then. These both coincide with one another. Like the bullet journal, vision boards are a way to express yourself creatively as well. You can make them however you like according to your own personality.
Cons:
These are going to take time to create. Again, if you are not creative or crafty, this may seem like a chore for you and you may not want to do it. There are, however, different options online where some people offer free printable charts that are already made where you can fill them in yourself. The hard part of designing it is already done for you. The only other flaw I could think of here is that you really have to be diligent in marking your progress. I’ve seen some people go all out in the beginning and are very good at tracking their progress but then for some reason they lose steam and stop tracking and then fall off the wagon. That is something that you would personally have to figure out to keep yourself motivated.
As always, I just want to point out that these are just suggestions and the main idea or point I am making is that there are good and bad for each thing, but you have to decide which tool will work best for you to help keep you on track. Feel free to visit my Pinterest Page (icon below) for different examples from what I’ve talked about here as well.
Which tool do you think will help you the best or has already helped you? If it isn’t on here I would love to hear other ideas as well!
Talk soon,
Amy
xoxo