Planner Power: Or, Why I Lug Around My Binder Everywhere I Go

Need a pen?

I've got one.

What were the dimensions of the bathroom ceiling? Lemme look it up a minute...

When was that doctor's appointment again?

Gotcha covered.




I like being prepared.

I like having my, erm, "poop in a group."

It doesn't always happen. Scratch that- it rarely happens. Just glance at my desk at work if you need a little proof...

Despite my lack of having-it-all-togetherness, I've managed to stay sane through the past few months- months that have included living in a camper, a home remodel, my husband being injured (so, lots of appointments and medication notes), as well as working full time.

It's been a ride.

Without the overwhelming grace of God (hallelujah) and a little organization on my part, I couldn't have done it.

Honestly, having a paper planner was always a part of my life- even in middle school, that little assignment notebook they gave us in class was full of notes and details. When school was over, though, and I'd graduated college, I realized just how much I really needed that formal organization.

In came The Binder.

This thing is so important to me that I carry it around all the time. I've sacrificed the dream of having a small purse- my binder is that important.

**This post contains affiliate links**

Having a planner is more than just a way to write down a to-do list- it's a way to organize a full life, to be intentional with the time we've been given. To follow through on goals, to make intentional connections, to schedule my weeks, my months, my years.

I flippin' love that thing.

Generally, I've designed my pages myself so that I can customize them to fit my needs (you can read all about that here), but you really don't have to be as anal retentive particular as I am.

There are tons of awesome planners out there that you can use, and adapt, to make life easier.

I know that we're already into January, but honestly, you don't need to struggle through another year unplanned and un-binder-ed.

Here are a couple of my favorites:



Dreams by Design Planner: a newer company, but with great colors, intuitive design, and great goal planning stuff. I LOVE her weekly master schedule. Love it. So helpful.

Check out the Dreams by Design Planner here.

Franklin Covey: basically the granddaddy of planners, this company has been around for-ev-er and knows planners inside and out. They have a ton (a ton) of products, pages, and designs available. And they have cute notepads, too.

And, because I love me a good deal...

You can now get 20% off any full-price binder or cover with a planner purchase, when you use the Promo Code: 23244.

Emily Ley: planners for the beauty-lovers, Emily Ley features clean, colorful, pretty designs. Their Simplified Planner is great if a ring binder isn't what you're going for, and they also offer free printables that are super cute. 

Do you use a paper planner?
What has helped you to stay organized and on-top-of-it?

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