Are you maximizing the use of all pages in your planner? You probably use the daily or weekly planner pages well, but what about the monthly planner pages?
If you are like me, you might write your schedule and goals on the daily and weekly planner pages, but you might not be using the monthly planner pages effectively. Here are 3 ways to make better use those monthly planner pages.
Most planners provide a few different planning layouts within the same planner (for example weekly, daily and monthly pages). You might also have goal pages and future planning pages. Many times, only the daily or weekly pages are used and the monthly pages are skipped. Let’s not overlook the monthly pages, as they can be useful in our planning.
3 Ways to Use Your Monthly Planner Pages
1. Track Your Special Dates and Appointments – See the big picture
Special days like birthdays and anniversaries are dates you don’t want to forget.
One effective way to use the monthly planner pages is to track birthdays, holidays, no school days, vacation days, anniversaries, appointments and all the important dates you want to remember each month.
By keeping all your birthday reminders and anniversaries on one page, you can see at the beginning of the month if you need to pick up any gifts. You won’t need to rush or scramble at the last minute for a gift or card.
You will also see the big picture for your month. Writing these dates and appointments for the month makes you more likely to remember them. With a monthly view, you are less likely to schedule two appointments for the same day and time.
2. Record Special Memories
If you don’t use the monthly pages in your calendar for tracking important dates, you could use it to record special memories. If you are like me and save years of old planners, your planner becomes a yearly journal of special memories.
For example, if you take a trip or do something special on a vacation, each day you could write a sentence or two about the highlight of that day to help you remember it. Then, years later as you read through your planner, you will know the exact dates you visited places or special events that happened in your life on those dates.
You can also take time each day and write down a special moment or funny quote from your kids. These little notes will make wonderful memories to share in years to come.
Your planner could also be used for a gratitude journal. One simple word or sentence of gratitude each day make a big difference in our attitude. As you look over each month, you will see how many wonderful things you have in your life.
3. Goal Setting
One of the most practical uses for the monthly section of your planner is goal setting. The monthly pages can help you set and track your goals for months and weeks in advance.
If you are planning a large project or goal that has smaller deadlines or requirements, the monthly planner pages are a great way to be focused on these important deadlines and stay on target with your goals.
As the months and weeks go by, you will see how much progress you have made. When you look back later in the year, you will probably be surprised at your success and accomplishments.
As you use your planner this year, don’t skip the monthly pages. They can be useful for you.
How do you use your monthly pages? If you are not using your monthly pages,
how will you start using them?
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- 3 Unique Ways to Use Your Monthly Planner Pages - February 12, 2017
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