How to keep a daily planner: 5 creative ways

1. Bullet Journal

How to keep a daily planner: Bullet Journal

How to keep a diary

In 2013, designer Ryder Carroll created a flexible planning system that allows you to keep all your ideas and activities in one place. This Bullet Journal: Who, What and Why Bullet Journal is a hybrid of a daily planner, habit tracker, list of ideas, and much more.

For Bullet Journal, the Bullet Journal: The Notebook is ideal for point-to-point A5 format: it is convenient to write, draw and draw in this format. But you can take any thick notebook.

Leave the first pages for the table of contents.

Leave the first pages for a table of contents

The next U-turn is a half-year plan. Use horizontal lines to divide the page into three sectors, in each of them write the name of the month.

Next - a plan for a month. On the page on the left, write down the numbers and days of the week in a column, enter events and meetings, the dates of which are already known, in the plan. On the next page, indicate goals and plans that are not yet tied to specific days.

The next spread is dedicated to daily affairs. Date, write down all tasks in a column. The Bullet Journal has its own Bullet Journal: The Notation System:

point (•) - task;
circle (°) - meeting or event;
dash (-) - note;
asterisk (*) - urgent business;
an exclamation mark (!) is an interesting idea that is important not to lose.

You can also create lists and collections in Bullet Journal (for example, a list of books you want to read), keep a tracker of habits or track expenses. Write down whatever you want, draw, draw, fantasize, the main thing - do not forget to number the pages and add each section to the table of contents.

What are the advantages

Bullet Journal is an undated day planner and can be kept from any day. Or abandon it for a while and at the same time not worry that there will be empty pages that can greatly demotivate.
It combines many functions and helps organize different aspects of life.
The Bullet Journal has a table of contents that makes it easy to navigate your ideas and plans.
This scheduling system is very flexible with almost no rules. Therefore, it is suitable for both minimalists and creative people.

What are the disadvantages

For those who are used to classic diaries, the system may seem too tricky. You need to memorize the conventions, design the pages yourself, figure out how it all works.
For the "correct" Bullet Journal you need a point-to-point notebook, these are not sold everywhere.

How can you arrange

Bullet Journal leaves a lot of room for imagination. You can only get by with a notebook and pen. And if your soul asks for creativity and bright colors, try to come up with an interesting design for each spread. Here are some options:

Monthly plan

Plans for the week / interesno.co

Monthly plan

A wish list

2. Autofocus

How to keep a diary

This technique of The Autofocus Time Management System helps to calm down the chaos in business without much effort and not lose important ideas.

Any notebook will do. In it you need to write out all the tasks that come to mind. If any of them are tied to a specific date, mark it. When there are no urgent matters left, open the notebook and slide your gaze through the list, choosing those activities that you have a heart for now. Completed items are crossed out. Pages without open tasks are marked with a cross.

Similarly, in stream mode, you can record ideas, dreams, plans, and more.

What are the advantages

It takes almost no time and effort. There is no need to categorize cases or use legends.
"Autofocus" is suitable for people of mood and chaotic natures who have a hard time planning.

What are the disadvantages

Some ideas and deeds can get lost on such a long list. Especially if you have bad handwriting

How can you arrange

Autofocus does not imply much decor: it is conceived as a very minimalistic planning system. But after you have written out all the cases, you can draw a beautiful title with felt-tip pens. Or stick thematic stickers next to some items. Phone - next to a reminder to make a call, an envelope - where you need to send a letter. Etc.

3. Muse and monster

How to keep a diary

The system was invented by the artist Jana Frank - primarily for creative people and freelancers. That is, for those who have a lot of flexible creative tasks.

Each working hour is divided into blocks: 45 minutes for creative or intellectual work, and the rest of the time for routine activities. In this fifteen-minute period, it is better to do those tasks that do not require mental stress. If you work at home, you can wash the dishes or water the flowers. If in the office - sort the papers, make copies of documents.

Yana also emphasizes that creative tasks must be planned, and as carefully as possible. This will make it easier to tackle them and you will not waste time thinking about what to do now. Not just "write an article", but "Monday - looking for material, Tuesday - making a plan, Wednesday - writing a draft, Thursday - editing." Etc.

It's the same with routines: Make a list of activities you need to spend time on daily, weekly, and monthly, then write them down on your notebook.

What are the advantages

Just figure it out, any convenient notebook will do.
The system is easy to adapt to yourself and your needs.

What are the disadvantages

The method is not suitable for those who do not manage their time. Thus, the doctor does not choose when to undergo emergency surgery.
Planning things this way is difficult if you have strict rules at work - for example, just one break.

How can you arrange

Initially, the 365 days of a very creative person, released on the basis of this system, looked like a coloring book. And Jana Frank welcomed drawing and any creative experiments in a notebook. For example, you can underline the section titles with decorative tape or display a floral ornament on the page margins.

4. Non-to-do list

How to keep a daily planner: a to-do list

How to keep a diary

The method was created in order to learn how to prioritize and manage to do the most important thing. All tasks are divided into three lists: to-do, completed to-do, and not to-do. In the first, you can add only three points, no more. The rest of the activities are considered less important and end up on the to-do list.

The completed task from the first column needs to be moved to the second. From this, by the way, how Checklists Train Your Brain To Be More Productive And Goal-Oriented the level of dopamine increases, and with it the productivity. In the to-do list, space is made available for a new activity, which can be transferred there from the third group.

What are the advantages

The system helps you figure out which tasks are really important and which ones can be left for later.
The method is very simple and convenient, suitable even for beginners in planning.

What are the disadvantages

Some tasks can get lost in the to-do list and remain unfulfilled.
For those who like to structure everything, such notes may seem too chaotic.

How can you arrange

Add pictures, stickers, and magazine clippings to your lists.

5. System 1-3-5

How to keep a diary

Only nine tasks can be scheduled for each day, no more. The first is the task of the day - the most important thing, it must be done. The next three are also important, if possible, deal with them. The other five are small secondary things that you can get started with if you have some free time.

Unfinished tasks are carried over to the next day.

What are the advantages

Simple, fast, convenient. Any notebook will do.
The system will teach you how to prioritize.
Suitable for those who are just starting to keep a diary.

What are the disadvantages

For those with a lot of tasks, the limit of nine things per day may seem ridiculously small

How can you arrange

For example, make a nice collage next to your to-do list.

How not to abandon your diary

First, figure out if you need it. If you have a good memory, and there are not many tasks, the diary will be a waste of time and effort.
Lead your plan in a way that's convenient. Even if it doesn't look like pretty social media notebooks. Make up the notebook as you like, write down what you think is necessary: any small matters or only important meetings. There are no rules, and the planner is your tool, not the owner.
Choose the perfect notebook. One that fits in any of your bags and won't be annoying. If you are afraid to write in an expensive notebook, it is better to choose something simpler. If skipping pages is boring and motivating, forget about dated diaries.
Keep a notebook handy at all times. Carry it with you to work, for a walk and in a cafe. Take it out of the bag as soon as you come home. Don't forget to put it on your bedside table before going to bed.