I have a problem with most printable planners. They don’t reflect my spontaneous, forgetful nature. They’re usually written for methodical folks who remember to take showers and stuff. Not me. I need a planner that says, “Hey, is your phone charged? And are you feeling kinda yuck? Any chance your counters and sink are trashed? You never feel completely GOOD until they’re empty. I’m just sayin’…”
As I’ve said in the past, the biggest organizing mistake is: organizing for who you wish you were, not who you actually are. That’s why I created my Be Your Own Butler Daily Planner (not Bring your Own Beer, which frankly is what I would require to follow a “normal” day planner sheet). This planner was designed by my imaginary valet, Jeeves, who knows me better than I know myself.
- He says that I need a Top Three Tasks section that, assuming nothing else gets done, I get to declare the day a success.
- I also need a Wish I’d Do… section for all those things that hang over my head, but I’m totally not going to do right now and can just transfer from day to day.
- He gives me a Theoretical Routine, since times stress me out and I hide from them in Pinterest.
- He knows that I need to be reminded daily about things that make me feel good about life, my RESTORATIVE habits. Now I can’t tell you yours, but if you are spacey like me and just get a general sense of un-well-being and can’t remember what makes you feel good about life, you need a Sanity Support section on your planner too. (See below for my filled out version of this form.)
- I have an Add to Calendar section for all those things I remember I’m supposed to do, but haven’t written down yet.
- My Reminder List (typed on the filled out version) is about all those little things that slip my mind and stress me out later.
- There are two Project Notes sections for whatever I have on my mind that involves several steps, so I get to start checking things off before I’m really finished with a larger task.
Now, if you are like me, you will need the jpeg so that you can type in your own Sanity Support and Reminder sections on Paint.NET. Just click on the above image and use the font Kristen ITC 12 to make changes. Your Jeeves probably has different plans for you than mine. I’m a total spaz! Just erase my headers and put in your own. Let your imaginary Jeeves guide you.
thank you thank you thank you-not just for the printable link, but for making me feel a bit more normal- I, too, struggle with wanting to do all the creative, fun stuff, then forget about things like taking a shower, feeding my always hungry children, and actually teaching them at home too! I want them to watch me teach myself new, good habits, for the sake of us all!! Thank you!
You are BRILLIANT! That’s all.
Ummm…. this is GENIUS! Thank you!
Thank you! This is just what I need (I pinned it).
ok, I totally get this, HOWEVER, Kristen, like Comic Sans, must go! I say look for a more self-empowering font, like, say, Franklin Gothic Demi, and give yourself a confident boost upon referring to your planner!
I’d relegate answering email to the very bottom of that list. Too easy to get sucked into a vortex of no return. Also, I’d build in a short planned on-purpose retreat to do something nice for yourself, unless mopping floors is what that is. For me it would be sitting down for 10-15 min. midday to do a little hand stitchery. But that’s me. It can’t be all chores all day for this girl.
I do like the permissions you do give yourself, though. Just don’t forget to be nice to yourself along the way.
I’m lost. I’m trying to edit this form. I’ve tried cutting and copying, I’ve downloaded pdf and I’ve clicked on the first image. Nothing gets me to where I can edit the form. I even downloaded paint.net and I still can’t figure out how to edit the text. I do know a little about editing photos, jpgs, etc. I just don’t seem to be able to figure this one out. Any tips?
*jpegs. sheesh!
Did you get it?
No, not yet. I’ve watched some YouTube videos, but they haven’t helped either. It seems layers have not been retained and I can’t figure out a way to overwrite or erase headings, nor get the same font as you used.
Brilliant, I keep a planner for who I wish I was what a failure, yours is perfection!
Have you heard of Flylady? http://www.flylady.net She just wrote a bit about becoming a butterfly, and getting out of our cocoons. 15 minutes at a time, and working on routines. I think you are on to something- I really like your chart!
Oh Deeanna, I love your blog so much! You make me smile as I remember all of the different planning systems I have tried. I am someone that needs to jot down things that I have done just so that I can cross them off to feel better about my day. Your planner appears very promising, thanks for sharing!
Gracias por esta planificación es ideal para mi ya que soy desorganizada, hago listas y al final del día me encuentro con que hice poco, esto me ayudará a planificarme y darme cuenta que el día no es un chicle
amazed to know I am not the only one who has to put “check your calendar” on the list…love it!
Darlene
I tried too to change the form, but it is saved as a picture and the individual elements cannot be changed. Usually there is an option to ungroup elements and then each element can be edited. There is no option for ungrouping. Sorry.
Barbar