In Defense of Day Planners

I have always been a pen and paper kind of girl. There has never been a time when I did not love school supplies. You can find me in the back-to- school sections when they pop up in stores right after Fourth of July…just as summer is in full swing. I have no need to shop for our kids any longer, but I still meander through the aisles in search of trendy pens, shaped sticky notes, or a charming spiral notebook. The height of my school/office supply shopping happens in the fourth quarter when I take a deep dive for a day planner for the upcoming year. This is where my skillset with paper really shines. The planner needs to have a full-month calendar view on sturdy, interesting paper, with lines and side bars for notes. There should be the requisite weekly option for more detailed appointment times. Wire spiral binding or rings is a must in order to properly lay the planner flat, and too, fold it in half without breaking the spine. Planners with colorful covers, inspirational quotes, stickers, and tabs receive special consideration in the selection process.

Paper vs. Electronic Day Planners

I understand the value of calendars and workflow management tools on your smartphone and computer. Been there, done that. It is one thing that I do not miss and currently relish the privilege of not having to use since I retreated from corporate life. I know they are great tools for collaboration on an integrated level, but they leave me feeling empty and void from the tangible nature of a paper day planner. I have worked with people who prefer the electronic version of a day planner, and observed that notes are often lost, appointments are missed, and (gasp!) deadlines are not met. That’s not everyone though. I generalize. It really comes down to finding your system and sticking to it.

You have to admit that there is something about marking your appointment times, making action lists, and jotting notes that helps the info better stick in your brain. Then there is the bonus of crossing off a finished task. It is a visual thing, I know. It is the goal-oriented me that is most happy when I can quickly glance at my planner and know what is happening today, tomorrow and next month – and beyond. Perhaps it is also a control thing wherein by being hyper-organized I seemingly remain in command of my life. Not sure, but I tell you what: you try to take this thing away from me. I may sock you straight in the face (Cal Naughton Jr.; emphasis added).

It is April and we are well into 2025. My planner is already full of life. This year, I purchased a posh gold, vegan leather, zipper-tasseled folio to hold my day planner which includes the requisite said calendar and blank note pages. This set-up also has a pen case and front and back pockets, for you know, those stickers, sticky notes and smaller, fun pieces of paper with grids and graphics. I am traveling a bit more these days visiting our kids in different parts of the world so the zipper aspect to my new folio is huge advantage in stowing important stuff.

Benefits of Planning Your Day

While there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to daily planning, I encourage you to experiment with different tools to find what works best for you. Whether you prefer a paper planner, a digital planner, or a combination of tools, you are sure to find your own natural and intuitive system. Organizing your day truly is an essential skill that can significantly enhance both your professional and personal life. Why not take inventory of how you plan your days and utilize your time? You may just find there is room for improvement in your current system. And by all means do check out a few paper day planners that may just speak you…and perhaps a few good pens, fun papers, and interesting sticky notes too.