I have always been planner obsessed. To keep track of important dates, I always use a paper planner. When it comes to documenting and tracking the things I do, I am very detailed. I like to know what I did when and see the patterns. (I know, I am a lifelong member of the nerd club.) But I am not so good with planning. In fact, I am terrible at it and am continously striving to improve. I hope that consistent tracking leads to better planning!
I’ve been obsessed with planners for as long as I can remember. Currently I am using two Happy Planners, a Classic Happy Planner and a Happy Planner Mini.
There is just something about writing things down that helps us all stay on track, whether you are willing to admit it or not. Whether you already have a planner for this year or are looking at obtaining one, here are the top 5 benefits of using a planner.
5 Reasons to use a planner
Using a planner helps you to stay organized.
One of my favorite things about using a planner is that you stay organized. There is a space to write things down! I noticed that the only planner I’ve used consistently in the past is the one I use to track my business deadlines. If I can use a planner to stay organized for my work, I can use one to maintain order in my life too.
Planners are not old school, they truly work.
You might hear people say that they use their phone to stay organized. I am one of those people that has a phone and it does not help me to stay organized. If the app isn’t open, I don’t remember to open it. I close pop-up reminders so fast that I don’t even read them! I need to write things down and I need tangible evidence that I wrote them down. There is a proven brain-body connection when you physical write something down. Planners are not old school and they truly do work, you just have to be committed to using it.
I need to write things down and I need tangible evidence that I wrote them down. When I write something down, the act cements the task in my brain. Planners are not old school and they truly do work, you just have to be committed to using it.
Planners are easy to navigate.
Phone apps are great. I could write a whole series on how I do 75% on my phone while I am out and about. But one flaw is that when I need to write something down, I am normally on the phone at the time and can’t enter it.
How many times have I tried to memorize an appointment date because I was on my phone at the same time I was making the appointment? Being able to turn to a date and write something down is pure genius. I know for a fact that I am 100% more organized when I have a planner. Plus, they are easy to navigate and pretty hard to mess up!
Some of the newer ones are fun and made to be like a pseudo scrapbook. I use and love my MAMBI Create365 Happy Planner Classic!
Planners help you to reach your goals.
There is a reason that planners are still relevant in 2017. It is because planners help us to reach our goals. Whether we have fitness goals or nutrition goals or just being on time goals, planners help us to reach those goals.
Using a Planner reduces stress
You don’t have to be the mom or the person that is late or forgetful. There are ways to track your day, it’s through a planner.
The only weakness I’ve found with my planner and the planner inserts that are available is that the fitness inserts don’t fit my style of working out. I love to weight train.
Most fitness planners have a basic spot for “workout” and “duration.” I like to track the body groups I am training, the number of sets, repetitions, and the weights. I also like to track my cardio sessions and what type of cardio I do.
So of course, I had to design one for myself that has everything a mom who lifts could want.
Are you looking for something similar to get you motivated? You can find it in my shop right now for only $5.50. There are over 100 pages of fitness tracking inserts. How cool is that? Just purchase, print, and add to your current Happy Planner!
And better yet! I have some new FREE printable planner stickers just for you!
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Motivating gifts for the fitness newbie
Jennifer Ostroski says
I loooove planners, I haven’t tried using one for fitness yet. I actually, don’t do much fitness but maybe a planner would help:|
Echo says
I really need to be better about this. I buy a planner every year, use it for a week and then, quit!
J. Ivy Boyter says
I have a better tendency to remember things when I write them, that’s for sure.