My definition of planner peace is being content with your planner’s system and function. I definitely have that peace.

My system has evolved over the years, but not by much. I have noticed there are components that I must have in whatever planner I am using, no matter the size or inserts, in order to have that peace. Built-in reminders and reviews are key to my planner peace.

Today I am going to share those different components. Hopefully I won’t be too lengthy.

INBOX + Dashboard

My first divider is INBOX. The front of this divider is also my dashboard. It usually has some sort of sticky note with items needed at the grocery store. My husband either picks those up after work (we live 12 miles from town), or they are added to my grocery list at the end of the week.

Behind the divider is where I keep my Next Actions List. This is a to-do list with items that do not have a firm due date. For example, I may need to schedule a sports physical for my son, but it isn’t due until spring. I keep it on this list as a reminder. My built-in review reminds me to check it.

I also keep plenty of notepaper in my inbox, ready for me to scribble notes in a hurry that can be processed later.

Daily • Weekly • Monthly

My top three tabs are my daily, weekly, and monthly sections.

I use Franklin Covey Day on Two Pages for my daily pages. My current pages are “Her Point of View,” and they are very pretty and colorful. My schedule and to-do list are on the left side, and the notes page is on the right.

I absolutely love having a notes page. There are so many uses for it. If you need ideas, see this post: 18 Ways to Use a Notes Page.

Franklin Covey’s method of indexing important information on daily pages is excellent. My notes pages look different every day. I often track my water and exercise there and write down information from phone calls.

On Saturdays I write goals for the week ahead. On Sundays I often use that page for sermon notes. If there is anything I want to reference later, I write the date and a brief description on that month’s index page.

Weekly Pages
My weekly pages used to go unnoticed all week. I even wondered why I had them. Recently I started using them in a completely different way, and it has been a game-changer.

I created a folded insert with four columns on the front and four on the back. They are labeled Sunday through Saturday and are undated. This makes it easy to grab one and start writing instead of printing and dating pages every week.

These are my pre-planning pages. I do not worry about neat handwriting. I keep two or three of them in my planner at a time. They are especially helpful when I have a thought or question about something I might need to do later.

I scribble information throughout the week ahead and sometimes the current week. I simply slash through items already handled to save time.

If anyone is interested in seeing pictures, let me know.

Monthly Pages

I also created my own monthly pages. I use a month on two pages, Sunday through Saturday, with a notes column. I especially like that each day has faint lines to keep me straight.

Money Tab

Behind this tab is a Target plastic pocket that holds 3×5 cards with that month’s bills printed on them. On the right side is my Weekly Balance Sheet.

I write down the bills I plan to pay that week. When I go online to pay them, I check them off. When they clear the bank, I highlight them. I also write down our real balance minus upcoming bills. It is a simple system that keeps me organized.

Projects • Health • Home

I have a Projects tab where I keep up with current projects. Right now that includes a family get-together, information on my son’s senior year, a baby gift project, a family booklet in memory of my dad, and meal planning.

I have not always had a Health tab, but since I keep up with many medications and use a health tracker, I have found it very useful.

I am not sure my Home tab is completely necessary, but it takes me quickly to my menu and grocery list pages, which I use often. Someday I might add cleaning task lists.

A-Z Section

My last section is called A-Z. I use A-Z tabs like a filing cabinet. This is where I keep frequently used addresses, packing lists, wish lists, planner review lists, and more.

Inside the tabs I also keep passwords, account information, post office hours, and other reference items. This section allows me to truly have a place for everything.

Final Thoughts

This year I even figured out a way to use my planner as my homeschool planner. That means I keep weekly lesson plans, attendance, and grades inside my planner too. It is a pretty full planner, but it works perfectly for me.

My number one tip?
Write it down.

If you have time, write it in the appropriate place. If you do not, keep notepaper in a designated spot so you can scribble it down and process it later.

Do regular planner reviews. I do daily, weekly, and monthly.