What Type of Planner Are You?

While deciding on how best to assign names to specific "planner types" --- there was no need to "re-invent the wheel" for the answer.
The revamped, and newly managed Franklin Covey Planner Division, have refreshed their original collection of named paper planners. My hope is to provide a simple chart, organized by the type of planner, to provide the names of each of those filler collections that most closely represent each of these types--i.e. Seasons, Leadership, and Blooms. (1)

Although this much categorizing of planners may not be your particular "cup of tea" --- using this chart could help you in finding the planner that will serve your needs best!


"The Easy Planner"

A simple, flexible planner style is what makes the "Easy Planner" most happy. They prefer simple page layouts,with plenty of unlabeled space that could be adaptable to any planning style. If you like having the freedom to organize your day in your way, you might consider choosing to be an Easy Planner.
Certainly you will find many types of planner fillers to support this preference. Check out the paper planners on the franklincovey.com site, which are labeled by the above planner types. You will be able to view actual pages of these two distinct planner types.


"The Master Planner"

Goal-focused life management is the most desired style for The Master Planner. If you are looking for features designed to help you achieve your goals, choose to consider becoming A Master Planner. Should you choose to try the Master Planner style, its possible to increase your productivity, and greatly reduce stress and frustration.
Structured, prioritized task lists and appointment schedules are what works best for this type.
Two-page, tabbed monthly calendars, space assigned to note taking and expense tracking - these are all examples of features. (2)

Next: the final two "planner types"





(1-2)Credit: Franklin Covey)

Image is Important When Selecting a Planner

I HAVE had a great deal of experience over the last 20 years, with all types of planners. Some of the early models have included those from a local bank, the corner drugstore --- and an assortment of other-free-calendars.
In 2002, I purchased the first of many digital planning programs, and the PDA's to load them into. Eventually, as all good gadget collectors will often do, I entered the age of the Smartphone, with all it has to offer. But in the early days of this all-in-one magic, there arose a number of definite drawbacks to storing your life on a digital device. None is more life changing than the eventual loss of data. Sometimes even client data....
And you will lose it--trust me. Before wireless backup, before "cloud residences" there were manual backups, on discs and tapes, to be done--daily. Perhaps you are the type that remembers everything without being reminded--and if so, more power to you! (maybe you don't a planner after all?)

But if you're like me, and the majority of busy people who juggle their appointments between projects--you WILL forget to back up. First time you are contrite--and very sure it will never happen again! But, bad habits build on themselves when you're busy. Next thing you know, you tell yourself that you really only need to do it weekly, anyway.....and then one day your computer hard drive "hiccups"..and crashes...and your last back up, done properly, was a year ago--with no other means of retrieval. Because, really--- who uses paper anymore, anyway?

So there you have it. I can only speak for myself and my family--but that's what happened to me---twice.

And thus, my rebirth into the world of paper planning! and what a world it turned out to be. Things have certainly changed.

Stay tuned 'till Monday, for the exciting next chapter, on:

Austin Linda Rides Again!

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