How to Use a Paper Planner to Crush Your 2021 Goals

photo by ElveeDesigns.com

Want to set yourself up for success for 2021?

Look no further than a paper planner! Paper? You may be skeptical, but there is a science to back it up. Here are five scientific reasons why paper is better than digital:

• You are less distracted. It's easy to start adding an event to your digital calendar and have an important email or notification pop up. You click on it to skim it, swearing you'll go back and finish adding the event in your calendar, but you're too distracted, and that critical event never gets recorded. 
• You remember things better. Writing stuff down helps you memorize it and remember it more effectively. The screen of a computer or phone distances you from what you are inputting, and it is as if it never happened. 
• You are more motivated. Writing things in your planner will help you be more to-the-point. You have limited physical space to write; you will be more concise and mindful when writing.
• Reduce Stress. Writing down your plans gives you the benefit of having a more organized life and a less stressful life. Even in the top tech country of Japan, they have a thriving paper planner market. Many studies show the link between writing things down by hand and mindfulness.
• It's a healthy habit. While you are more likely to commit to your plans when you have written them down, a planner is also a commitment itself. They are real; you can touch them and feel the paper. On the other hand, an app is easily lost among other apps on a phone or tablet. It is easy to lose interest. Having your planner on your desk is a friendly reminder to use it. 

Get the Right Planner

Getting the right planner doesn't mean you need to get the prettiest planner, the most expensive planner, or the one your friends are raving about. The right planner means getting the right planner for YOU. You want to be open and willing to experiment with different kinds to find what works for you. 

Also, choosing a size that works with your life is essential. Do you want to keep this planner on you at all times? Do you want it to rest on your desk or counter at home?

Make sure the size works for what you want to write in it. If you have big handwriting, then make sure there is space to record what you want.

Keep Everything in There 

Ensure that the planner you choose will work for everything you need to store in it. Do you want to keep your kid's schedule in there along with yours? Make sure there is space for that. 

Many people try to keep a separate planner for work and personal. That is not advisable. The planner's primary goal is to have everything in front of you to track everything in one place. Adding another place to put information is a surefire way to misplace information or to miss events completely. 

Mark Your Deadlines

A plan without a deadline is just a dream. 
Setting a deadline is essential to achieving any goals. Make sure you are setting deadlines and goal check-ins and putting those dates in your planner. You can do this like a countdown (six weeks to finish XYZ, five weeks to complete XYZ, etc.), or you can schedule regular check-ins with yourself and update your goal. 

You don't want to decide on January 1st that you want to get ten more new clients in six months than realize on June 30th that you didn't hit your goal. It would be best if you had time to reassess and see how it is going. Do what works for you, but make sure you are checking in regularly, whatever that means for you, daily, weekly, or monthly.

Make a Planner Plan

Now that you have committed to a planner make sure you are using every bit of it! Make a plan for your planner! The idea of this may sound humorous, but just like every other new habit, you want to make sure you are looking at it and updating your planner regularly. 

Look at it every day. Take time each week, like Sunday evenings, to plan out the next week. You want to make sure you add everything you need to do and want to do, from appointments to practices, work meetings, yoga sessions, massages, etc. 

It is also essential to go over any scheduled events with your partner or family and make sure you all are on the same page. At the end of the month, go over the upcoming month and check in with yourself on how your goals are progressing and make adjustments if needed. 

Evaluate as you Move Forward

Life changes, you change, and your priorities change. Make sure you are reevaluating your goals as you go. Ask yourself these three questions each time.

• Does this still matter to me? Why or why not?
• Is this helping me to achieve my long term goals?
• Do I feel obligated to do this, or do I want to do this?

If you find yourself not as invested in your goals, then take the time to pivot those goals and plan new ones that will make you happy and will help you achieve your long term goals. 

Permit yourself to let go of a goal. Achieving a goal will only be fulfilling if you are still invested; otherwise, it will seem like a chore. 

A paper planner will not only help you achieve your goals but help keep you organized and focused while doing so. There are many different planner styles and companies from which to choose. Different sizes to look at is the “regular” 7x9 inch, A5, B6, and pocket size. Some brands to check out are Happy Planner, Erin Condren, The Goosby Twins, and PrintPressions. For a completely customizable planner, check out LightsPlannerAction. While it may take time to find the perfect one for you-don't give up! You are worth it! 

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