Planners are GREAT!

We've all been there at some point. Somehow, that project due date just slipped right up on us without our noticing.
 
That is why organizational skills are so important to performance. Who can afford to miss a due date just because we got lazy and didn't pay attention? Who wants to get "talked to" because we forgot to put our completed project in our briefcase the night before?
 
Poor organization skills can reduce your work efficiency and effectiveness. That's why you should learn to use a day planner the right way.

 

I splurged on my day planner and purchased a great leather binder from Franklin Covey.

 

 

One that I am proud to carry because it is sleek and attractive. Franklin Covey is a great place to shop for planners. Even though you will spend a little more on your binder, the refills are very affordable. You get to pick the binder you like and the refill that you like, so you can customize it to truly fit your style and particulars.

Tips for Using a Planner

1. Pick the right planner. Take your time when choosing a pocket planner. Find one that fits inside a special pocket or pouch in your bag if you can. 
2. Make the planner a part of your daily routine. Carry it with you at all times and remember to check it every morning and every night.


3. Fill in your assignment due dates as soon as you learn them. Get in the habit of writing in your planner while you're given the project. Don't put it off!
4. Learn to use backward planning. When you write a due date in your planner, go back a day or a week and give yourself a reminder that the due date is approaching.
5. Use a color-coding system. Keep some colored stickers on hand and use those for reminders that a due date or other important event is approaching. For instance, use a yellow caution sticker to serve as a warning two days before your presentation is to give yourself time to prepare.
6. Put everything in your planner. You must remember that anything that takes up time, like a date or a ball game, will keep you from working. If you don't put these things in your planner as time out, you may not realize how limited your time really is. 
7. Use flags. You can buy sticky-note flags and use them as tabs to indicate the end of a quarter or the due date of a large project. This is a great visual tool that serves as a constant reminder of a imminent due date.
8. Don't discard old pages. You will always have important information in your planner that you'll need to see again at a later date. Old phone numbers, past appointments—you'll want to remember those things later on.
9. Go ahead and congratulate yourself ahead of time. On the day after a big project is due, put in a reward appointment, like a trip to the mall or a meal out with friends. This can serve as positive reinforcement.

Things to Include in Your Planner

It is important to block off anything that consumes your time, in order to avoid conflict and crisis. Don't forget:

• Regular meetings
• Project due dates
• Presentation dates
• Parties, dates, celebrations
• Family gatherings, vacations, excursions
• Training sessions
• Holidays