I have heard it from my followers over and over again. “I am great at setting up planners but I can never stay consistent with using it” or “I love buying a new planner, but I never use it after a week.”
Does that sound like you? Don’t worry, you are not alone! A lot of people have trouble with this, including myself! Staying consistent with anything can be a challenge especially when there’s something new coming out every month!
The problem isn’t about how you set up your planner or how you plan, but it’s rather the daily routine of using your planner and having the discipline to stick with it and use it every day.
Just like any other habit, planning every day is a habit you need to learn. You need a planning routine that will help you do it every day.
If you have a busy life, staying consistent with your planner can be challenging – but if you follow these 5 ways to stay consistent in your planner, you’ll find it much easier to keep up with your routine and complete each week’s tasks in order to maximize your productivity.
For more tips on staying consistent with using your planner be sure to read my other blog post here.
Or if you would like to learn how to create a planning routine check out this post here.
Table of Contents
1) Make a Decision & Stick to It
Don’t get hung up on what planner you’re going to use. If you like it, then use it. If you don’t find one you do, and make a commitment to yourself that you will use it all year (or at least for the quarter). This is all aesthetics and personal preference. You are more likely to use it if you like it though. However, the type of planner you use doesn’t really matter, because it’s the habit of planning that matters most and that’s what’s going to keep you consistent.
2)Be Intentional About What Goes in
Once you have a system that works for you, you have to be intentional about what you are writing down into your planner. Make sure that what you want to put into your planner is intentional so that you can give it its full attention. Rather than going overboard and trying to write every little thing down, choose a few priorities each day and use your planner for them. That way, you get all of the value from planning without feeling overwhelmed by information overload.
Another reason that people fail to stay consistent is because they rely on their planner too much. A planner should be a tool, not a crutch. If you’re trying to stick with a habit, such as exercising for 20 minutes every day, and your planner makes it easy for you to skip it one day and tack it onto another instead of doing it consistently, then you won’t get much value from your planner. Instead of depending on your calendar or agenda so much that you let them dictate when tasks get done and what they include, use planning as a way to keep yourself accountable. That way you can still leverage its benefits while preventing excuses from getting in your way.
3) Take Time Every Day
It’s incredibly easy to fall into a rut when you have a packed schedule. One way to ensure you stay consistent with your plans is to make a point of taking time every day—even if it’s just 5 minutes—to reflect on what went well that day and what didn’t. This simple practice helps you to see what is working, and what isn’t. Do you need to change when you plan? Or change where you plan? It also allows you to tap into motivation early on—instead of letting yourself fall back on bad habits or negative thoughts once things get busy again.
While it may not seem like a lot of time out of your day, try focusing on just 5 minutes at first. If you find that it works for you, you can always increase how much time you take each day until it becomes a regular practice. You’ll be amazed by how quickly even small amounts of reflection can transform your life and put you back on track when things start to get busy. By checking in with yourself every day, reflecting on what went well and what didn’t, and planning accordingly moving forward, you ensure that your planning doesn’t fall through the cracks when life gets hectic.
You can try setting reminders or scheduling time at the end of your day and the beginning of the day to remind yourself. Make sure to do it at the same time everyday until you get into the habit of checking your planner. If you use an online planner, there are several apps that can help with reminders. Some people find that keeping a pen and paper by their bedside works best for them because they wake up with good intentions but forget them by morning. Whatever method you choose, be consistent with it! When planning becomes habit instead of something forced on top of everything else going on in your life, things will start falling into place more easily as a result.
4) Set Realistic Expectations
Don’t have that all-or-nothing mentality. There are going to be days you skip on using your planning. And that’s okay, the only thing that matters is if you start using again the next day again.
Start with a realistic outlook and you’ll be less likely to feel frustrated and disappointed. Set more achievable goals and expectations of yourself, and don’t try to tackle everything at once. For example, if you want to get into shape, start small by exercising for 15 minutes 3 days a week; before you know it, working out will become a daily habit! (Consistency is key!) The more realistic your approach is from day one, the easier it will be for you over time. If your expectations are too high, there’s no way you can meet them.
Another good way to stay consistent with your planner is by breaking down large tasks into smaller ones. If you’re feeling disorganized, try focusing on one small area of your life at a time. Whether it’s cleaning up your inbox or tackling your pile of homework, begin with something simple.
Once you’ve set your plans and realistic expectations, stick to your plan. Unfortunately, we all have a tendency to avoid doing what we know we should do instead of doing something else entirely. Remember: It’s not about being perfect or being great right off the bat—it’s about taking action consistently so you reach your goal in due time.
Detail out what needs to be done each day: By breaking up tasks into smaller ones, productivity becomes an easy process instead of an overwhelming challenge that never gets completed. You might think you need motivation or inspiration or even energy before embarking on a task—but really all you need is focus , which helps keep distractions at bay so work gets done efficiently.
This will allow you to steadily move forward without getting discouraged by trying too much at once. You can achieve anything that’s within your control if you are willing to work hard every single day for as long as it takes !
5) Celebrate Every Achievement
When you first start keeping a planner, it’s important to mark every accomplishment, no matter how small. If you want to have a goal of using your planner consistently then try creating a habit tracker for it. Checking it off daily will surely help you feel good, because habits don’t just come from repetition -they also come from positive reinforcement. So celebrate yourself for using your planner every day and take pride in the work you’re putting in.
Congratulate yourself for achieving your daily goals, crossing off completed tasks or checking items off your list. These small celebrations are what keep you motivated and on track throughout each day. If you skip them, you’ll risk losing sight of your goal.
By always finding room for self-celebration, you can easily stay consistent with your plan. Every time you make progress toward reaching your goal, set aside time to give yourself credit for making it happen!
If you need a digital planner, be sure to check out my shop. I have undated and dated versions and lots of different colors! They look real and includes just about everything you need to plan your LIFE! This friday my 2022 planners launch as well! So stay tuned for that so you can get your special discount~
