Importance of
Using A Daily and/or Weekly Planner
Unit 2-5
It Helps With Time
Management
Do you find that there is never
enough time for everything? If so, it is probably because you are not
scheduling your time effectively. This happens when you just run constantly,
going from one thing to the next, without really thinking about everything as a
whole. Using a planner allows you to schedule each event, appointment, errand,
and task, so that you know what to expect and don’t run out of time. Set
specific due dates and deadlines for everything to help you stay on track, and
have extra time left for yourself and your family.
You Can Improve
Your Productivity
This is important for your
personal and professional life. While many people think of productivity as it
relates to their job, you also want to be productive at home. This might
include getting cleaning and home organization done, or working on projects you
keep putting it off. Regardless of what it is, planners help you to stay on
track with each individual task you need to complete, and encourages you to
move on to the next one effectively and efficiently.
They Provide
Excellent Stress Relief
Stress has many forms, but a
common denominator is the feeling of being overwhelmed. You are often stressed due to a hectic
schedule, having too many demands, or just putting too much on your plate.
Outside influences also affect your stress level, but think about how different
it could be when you actually have time for everything and are able to
seamlessly go from one responsibility to the next without having to worry about
missing something, being late, or having to back out at the last minute. You
can also use your planner to schedule self-care activities.
There Are a
Multitude of Health Benefits
As you might imagine, planners
help you stay healthy in a wide range of ways. It helps your physical health by
helping you track things like diet and exercise, you can
schedule regular doctor and dentist appointments, and make sure you are getting
enough fresh air and vitamin D by scheduling days spent outdoors. You get
mental health benefits by reducing stress and anxiety, and even having
journaling pages for when you just need a good brain dump.
More Time for
Creative Activities
Another benefit of using a
planner is that because you are sticking to a schedule for all the mandatory
responsibilities, it leaves a little free time for your artistic endeavors,
whether that means working on a hobby or trying something new. And some people
use planners as a creative activity in and of itself, by adding stickers,
pictures, and other decorative items.
A Place for
Records
A final way I use a planner is
keeping track of tasks, appointments, and notes. For example, sometimes I can’t
make the dogs’ next grooming appointment when I pick them up because there is
so much barking and commotion. If I forget when their last appointment was, I
can flip back a few months in my planner and see when they’re due for a
trim. Ditto for keeping track of when I last saw a specific friend or
family member. Ask anyone who uses a planner—this comes in handy!
What about you? Do you use a
planner? If so, what benefits are the most valuable to you?
·
I encourage all students to make this a habit. It will help you
towards getting and staying organized and on task. Especially in Post Secondary
Education.
·
I have monthly planners printed to help you but if you chose to
buy your own that’s cool too!
·
You must complete this planner during this course, as a source
of assessment.