Planner Topics
March 12, 2025
No Comments
Want to make your planner work better for you? Here’s how you can boost productivity and add a personal touch to your planning routine:
Quick Tip: Personalizing your planner not only helps you stay organized but also keeps you motivated and stress-free. Start small – add colors, stickers, or a simple layout tweak – and build from there. The best planner is the one you’ll actually use!
1. Color-Coding for Easy Organization
Make your planner visually intuitive with a simple color-coding system. For example, an Appointed team member uses green for launches, blue for updates, and yellow for website tasks. Stick to 4-5 distinct colors to avoid confusion – bright shades work well for deadlines and time-sensitive tasks. As Rachael from All About Planners explains:
"By using different colors you’re able to quickly see at a glance what you need to do next".
This approach not only makes your planner functional but also adds a touch of creativity.
2. Stylish Sticker Integration
Themed sticker kits are a fun way to highlight key dates and goals while keeping your planner functional. Stickers like KITTA‘s are especially popular for their durability and repositionable adhesive, letting you experiment with layouts without damaging pages. Their compact matchbook-style packaging also makes them easy to carry. These stickers do more than just decorate – they help guide your planning process while adding a personal touch.
3. Planning Tools That Work
Invest in tools that keep your planner organized and visually appealing. Staedtler Triplus Fineliner Pens ($12.99) are great for precise color-coding, while Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors make cutting washi tape and stickers a breeze. For temporary notes or schedule changes, Day Designer‘s Mini Monthly Sticky Notes (3-Pack Set for $6.00) offer a stylish solution without cluttering your layout. These tools ensure your planner stays both practical and visually cohesive.
"Mind mapping is a powerful tool for visual folks".
This technique not only helps you stay organized but also creates space for fun elements like doodles.
"Art journaling is about the creative process of pulling together color, words, and images as you wish, on a page. Unlike many other forms of art, it is not about the outcome".
To get started, make sure you have these tools on hand:
| Essential Tools for Creative Journaling |
|---|
| Basic Supplies: Pens, colored pencils, acrylic paints |
| Decorative Elements: Washi tape, themed stickers, ephemera |
| Additional Materials: Gesso for wet media, pastels for texture |
Take your journaling to the next level by tailoring your planner to fit your lifestyle and priorities.
| Layout Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Hybrid | Combines daily and monthly views |
| Project-focused | Tracks timelines and milestones |
| Wellness-focused | Includes health and mood tracking |
For a smooth writing experience, consider using high-quality materials like Tomoe River paper, known for its bleed-resistant properties. These layout options allow you to merge functionality with your personal style, making your planner as unique as you are.
Take your personalized layouts and journaling up a notch with these practical tips to make managing tasks easier and more effective. These ideas work hand-in-hand with your customized planner setup.
Using colors to organize your tasks can be a game-changer. As noted by Ohh Deer:
"One of the easiest and most visually satisfying ways to keep your planner organised is through colour-coding".
Assign specific colors to categories like work, personal, and social tasks. This makes it easy to spot priorities at a glance. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, focus on your top three tasks for the day:
"Each day, highlight the top three tasks that absolutely must get done. Focusing on just three main goals helps prevent overwhelm and boosts your productivity".
Functional planner stickers, such as those from Dark Moon Paper, can also help you visually mark these must-do items.
Another effective method is dividing your day into focused time blocks:
| Time Block Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Focus Mode | Deep work and priority tasks |
| Admin Mode | Emails and routine tasks |
| Communication Mode | Meetings and calls |
| Break Mode | Rest and recharge |
Plan to tackle your most challenging tasks during your peak energy hours. To stay consistent, habit-tracking apps like Streaks ($5.99) or HabitNow (free for up to 7 habits) can help you monitor your progress.
Finally, dedicate time each week to reflect and plan ahead. As Friday Afternoons Co. suggests:
"Set aside time each week to review and plan for the upcoming week. This practice grounds your planning activities and provides a moment of reflection."
Incorporate checklists, headers, and trackers into your planner to keep everything organized and efficient.
Make your planner work for you by tailoring it to fit your lifestyle and goals. Whether you like time blocking, artistic journaling, or using color-coded systems, the trick is to choose methods that reflect your personality while keeping you on track. As Carson Tate puts it:
"When you begin organizing your life and work according to the natural preferences of your style, you are likely to find yourself relaxing and enjoying the sensation of truly being in the driver’s seat of your life rather than struggling with the tension that arises from fighting against your preferred thinking style."
Adding a personal touch to your planner doesn’t just improve your schedule – it can also boost your overall well-being. For example, a study of LifePlanner™ users found that 92% experienced less stress, and 98% reported that their customized planner brought them joy. Feeling emotionally connected to your planning system is key to staying consistent and seeing results.
Focus on progress, not perfection, when building your planning habits. Start with something simple, like themed stickers or a weekly routine. Once you’re comfortable, add features that help you stay even more productive.
At the end of the day, the best planner is the one you’ll actually use.
Stickers Made for Planning
Our custom stickers are a fuss-free way to brighten up your planner pages with perfectly-sized designs that add a spark of personality to every layout.
Why use planner stickers?
Planner stickers make organizing easy, fun, and personal! Add color, creativity, and structure to every page, transforming your planner into a tool that reflects you. Perfect for tracking, decorating, and staying inspired daily!
Hello and welcome!
I’m Rachael Snow, a lifelong artist and entrepreneur, and I started Dark Moon Paper to blend my love of art, technology, and the mysterious beauty of the world around us. My sticker kits are meant to set the mood, tell a story, and give you a little escape from the ordinary.
I work from my cozy studio tucked away in the beautiful woods of Oregon, surrounded by nature and a dark night sky full of stars.
