Welcome to The Doorknobs Guide To Basic Planner Use! I hope you find this helpful. I've been using a planner off and on since my second child was born. She has Down Syndrome and I found it easier to deal with the chaos my life became. I was hooked from the first. I started out with just a pad of paper and moved up from there. I've had many different kinds of planners. With all kinds of different set-ups. I've used Franklin Covey the most and find I love their set up, binders, and inserts the most. But, regardless of all the different options out there the actual planning is the same. You have to get it down on paper in some sort of order. Let's get started.
The first thing you're going to want to do is a Brain Dump. That's basically making a list of everything you need to do. Include chores, errands, projects, fitness, etc. It's important to write it all down to make room for other things and so you don't forget. Some of these things will be routine tasks and some will big big projects that will need to be broken down into smaller pieces. Set aside some time either the night before or first thing in morning to do this.
Next you want to give your list some sort of order. So, next to each thing on the list label A, B, or C. A tasks are things that have to be done, perhaps you are taking a class and your assignment is due tomorrow or you need to deposit a check in the bank to cover some bills that are due. B tasks are things you should do but aren't time sensitive or urgent like give the dog a bath or rake the yard. C tasks are things you can do if you have time but that can be rescheduled, for instance purging your file drawer or organizing your DVD collection.
Once you have all the items on your list marked A, or B you'll want to number them 1, 2, or 3. For example, depositing money in the bank and finishing your assignment are 1's but maybe picking up the dry cleaning is a 2, not as important but you can do it while you are out. With B tasks raking the yard and bathing the dog may be 1 because you are planning a family barbecue but something like re-pot plants is important but if you have move it to the next day it's okay.
Some things on your list may goal oriented or projects that can't be finished in a day. Things like fitness or remodeling the house. If you have decided to exercise more to be in better shape, you need to set aside a specific time for that. It may be easier for you to do it in morning before work or in the evening after work. Remodeling the house would have to broken into chunks like replace bathroom vanity or paint trim in the family room.
That's basically it for GTD (getting things done). We will cover more in depth in our next lesson.
