How to set up a (very) simple planner
With the recent onslaught of trends like bullet journals and beautiful planners, it can be easy to forget that it all boils down to the same thing as a to-do list. In fact, the idea behind the bullet journal is to . There is nothing wrong with beautiful planners and bullet journal spreads which are always lovely to see and appreciate. Here are some easy steps to setting up a planner:
1. Pick a book that you will write in. I’m the kind of person who can’t bear to write in beautiful notebooks (even if I’m trying not to hoard them that much), preferring simple exercise books instead. The important thing is to pick something that you will be comfortable to write in, whether it be an embossed journal or a stapled stack of scrap paper.
2. Bring your planner with you wherever you go. This is also important to remember. There may be many things that you will have to record or remember throughout the day. It will be a safer option for you to always have your planner at hand instead of relying on your memory to write things down later.
3. Write down the date at the top of your list. To make sure you don’t get confused over the many things you will have to do, write down the date every day at the top of the page (or to save space, at the top of your list).
4. Write down your tasks as soon as you get them. Have anything you need to remember? As soon as you get to know what it is, make a note of it in your planner. I’d suggest a simple checklist that you can tick off as soon as you finish a task.
5. Have a few symbols for different tasks. If you have an event or a meeting, you could put an exclamation mark by its side instead of a checkbox so you would be able to tell at first glance that it is an event and not to be confused with a task.
6. Make notes starting from the back of the book. If for whatever reason you need to jot down a couple of things that would be too lengthy for your simple checklist, simply flip to the back of your planner and start writing there. Remember to put down a date and if possible a title for easier reference.
An important thing to remember is that your planner needs a loose structure (loose so that everything doesn’t feel rigid and unwelcoming), but there should be a structure of sorts; where you make your lists, where you write your notes, where you put other reminders of other sorts... It’s all to ensure that everything doesn’t become too messy or complicated!