How do you organize your life?
That is a big, and vague question.
These days, the answers are interesting.
Tools – digital and physical come up:
A calendar. A planner. A to-do list. A physical “in box”. A software system like Trello.
The opportunities are endless.
My Perspective
When it all boils down, I believe we need two systems.
A calendar and a planner.
While many seem to use the two as synonyms, they are NOT the same.
We need both to successfully meet our goals.
So, what is the difference?
My simple summary:
Calendars coordinate.
Planners prioritize.
Use them together to make magic.
– Lori Sullivan
Our calendars are coordinating.
They make sure we know where to be when.
They help us not double book.
On the other hand, our planner is prioritizing what we do.
The planner pushes us to focus, manage our energy, and complete tasks to meet goals.
A calendar without a planner leaves us scattered.
Leading to weeks where we don’t feel like we accomplished anything.
A planner without a calendar leaves us dreaming.
Leading to piles of great ideas, but no time devoted to accomplishing them.
The trick is finding the organization system that works best for each of us.
My current system is an Outlook digital calendar and a Clever Fox physical planner.
Your Turn
Do you use both a calendar and a planner?
Which tools work best for you?
Are there changes you want to make as you move into 2025?