With Christa, the Christmas Elf with a Plan – 12 December
Here it is Day 12 of Christa’s 24 End of the Year Planning Tips. I knew she’d be bringing this up soon. If you’ve not already selected a new planner for the coming year, it’s time to do so. She says don’t wait until the new year gets here to start setting everything up. Be ready to make a smooth transition from your old planner to your new planner.
If you’ve just found Christa’s End of the Year Planning Tips and want to start at the beginning, just click here.
Now, let’s select a new planner …
How to Select a Planner
There are so many options for planners today, in both the digital and paper styles of planners. I started off the series of posts on functional planning with Finding A Functional Planner That Actually Functions For You. In that post, I went deep into all you should be considering when selecting a planner. I will keep it higher level today, and let you check out the previous post if you want more depth.
As you work through the following areas, note that a choice in one might affect the choices available in another area. As you identify your preferences, note why that is your preference over other choices, just in case you need to circle back and weigh that selection against needing a different selection elsewhere. For example, a particular layout style may not be available in the size you’d prefer for portability.
Define Your Purpose
The first step is to identify the way(s) you intend to use your planner. It might be an all-in-one planner that allows you to:
- Organize your schedule,
- Track habits or goals,
- Plan projects,
- Journal or reflect,
- Memory keeping,
- Keep notes and lists,
- Fitness tracking,
- Budget planning/tracking, or
- Health and wellness tracking.
Perhaps you want a primary planner that does several of those things and a separate planner for others. Separate planners can be in separate formats, sizes, etc. So if you are thinking about multiple planners, keep track of preferences for each planner use.
Decide on a Format
Digital or paper is your first choice to make for planner format. My post in the functional planning series goes into the pros and cons of choosing digital or paper.
Digital
If you’ve not used digital planning and tracking apps, there can be a learning curve. But many of the apps do allow you to easily share information between the apps and with others, if needed. However, digital planners that mimic paper planners used in apps like Goodnotes, do not import or share data. So if you’ve never used a digital planner before, do some research and make sure the apps you are looking at will do what you need them to do.
Paper
Paper planners are either bound or loose-leaf pages. Whether book bound or spiral, it isn’t possible to rearrange the pages in a bound planner. It is possible with the right type of hole punch to add pages to spiral bound planners. However, there would be a limit to how many additional pages can be added since the size of the binding wire is likely determined by manufacturer based on the original page count.
Loose-leaf planners are usually placed in a binder or bound with discs. The number of binder rings or discs varies by brand and page size. Hole punches are available for the different styles and numbers of rings. The rings and discs come in different diameters. Larger rings/discs allow more pages to be added. Disc bound planners need sturdy covers or some type of support if you wish to store them vertically on a shelf. Most ring binders are capable of standing upright. The clear advantage to loose-leaf planners is that you can easily rearrange, remove and add pages as needed.
Select a Calendar Layout Style
Most all planners include some sort of full year calendar. It may be a single page with little mini-monthly calendars, or across multiple pages, in a style often referred to as year-at-a-glance. A full year calendar on a single page, can be a handy reference for checking dates or counting out weeks. The year-at-a-glance could be used for important dates and forward planning and can be very helpful if you don’t keep all 12 months in your planner at the same time.
All planners usually have a monthly layout. It is useful for planning and tracking with a big-picture view. Some include pages for planning for the month and/or reviewing the month.
Planners with weekly layouts come in different formats. All give you a view of your week, usually on a 2 page spread. You can select from layouts that start on Sunday or Monday. Three common weekly formats are:
- Weekly Dashboard: smaller areas for each day and a dashboard area that usually has space for checklists, notes, priorities, etc. The formats vary from company to company and with the size of the planner.
- Weekly Vertical: the layout is usually divided into 8 columns with one for each day and one for notes/tasks/etc. The notes column may be on the left side of the spread, or the right. Different companies’ layouts vary
- Weekly Horizontal: the blocks for the days run horizontally, usually with 4 blocks per page. The eighth block, at either the top of the left-hand page or bottom of the right hand page, it for notes, etc.
If you need to plan and track on a very detailed schedule or need room for lots of daily notes taking or information logging, a planner with Daily pages may be what you need. Daily pages come in both 1 page per day, or 2 pages per day (a 2-page spread).
Consider Size and Portability
Planners are available in a range of sizes from full sized pages (US Letter or A4) down to tiny pocket-sized planners. Different companies may use similar names for their planner sizes, but look at the dimensions rather than the name. Classic size Happy Planners are 7” x 9 ¼”, but Franklin Planners are 5 ½” x 8 ½”. Page size directly affects how much you can place on the page. Take into consideration the amount of information (schedule, tasks, notes, etc.) you need room for. Allow additional space for decoration. Page size for digital planners may vary as well. But pages can generally be zoomed in or out as you are working, making it possible to use smaller text when entering information.
The number of pages in the planner affects the size of the planner, as well. For digital planners, it affect file sizes and storage of the files on your device(s). Bound paper planner with 2-page Daily spreads require more pages than a planner with Weekly spreads. This means your planner would be thicker or thinner depending on the layout chosen. For loose-leaf, the size of the binder rings or discs determines the overall size of the planner.
Size affects portability, too. Digital planners and planner apps are easily portable, especially if apps are accessible across multiple devices. However, internet access may be required to sync the data across devices. Paper planners can be carried in briefcases, backpacks, and totes easily. The smallest sizes fit in pockets and purses. Binders and covers for loose-leaf page planners can be found with closures that range from a simple strap with a magnetic snap, a full length flap, or with a zipper closure. These can help protect the pages in your planner. I had a Franklin Covey leather zippered binder with a leather handle in the spine that I could use when carrying it.
If you need a larger planner but also need portability, you could consider a small journal for notes on the go. I use tiny sketchbooks (Hobby Lobby – non-affiliate link) to capture notes, sketch ideas, make lists, etc. when I’m not carrying my planner.
Special Features Desired
Basic planners have calendar pages and blank/lined/dot-grid pages. Other planners may include sections/pages for goal setting, habit tracking, budget planning and tracking, meal planning, fitness, health, etc. You’ll want to look for a planner that includes the types of pages you need or that can be easily added. Also consider any tabs or dividers provided for ease of navigating the pages.
Design and Aesthetics
Look for a planner that is inspiring that you with enjoy using. It should fit your style. Planners can be minimalist or colorful. Bold patterned page borders and subtle sketched backgrounds may be other options.
Budget Considerations
You can find planners to fit all budgets. You can find budget-friendly options all the way up to luxury brands. Consider overall cost – not just the planner itself, but accessories and add-ins, if applicable.
Durability and Quality
Since you will be using your planner throughout the day every day, you need to make sure that it is durable and of good quality. Look for a sturdy cover to protect your planner. A binding that allows the pages to lay flat makes writing on the pages easier.
Paper quality is very important. The paper needs to be high quality to prevent ink bleeding through or having “ghost text” on the reverse page. For years I used regular printer paper (20-24 lb). That was what was readily available to me. Then six or seven years ago I discovered HP Premium 32lb (120gsm) paper (Amazon – non-affiliate link). This weight seems to match the paper of the commercially available planners I’ve purchased recently (i.e. Erin Condren, Happy Planner). I use it for all the pages I print for my planner. For bound journals, I look for 100 gsm or higher.
Some brands do use specialty papers, like Hobonichi planners. The paper has a coated feel, is very thin and has a degree of transparency. I do not currently have a planner of this type but see lots of use of them on social media. If “ghosting” bothers you, you may not like this type of planner paper.
Summary
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing a new planner. If you’ve had some experience, you know what worked well for you and where you are looking to change things up. If you are new to planning, I suggest you go with an option that will let you experiment and change over time as you develop your new planning habits.
In my opinion, a basic loose-leaf page style planner with a calendar layout that seems to best fit your needs is a good way to get started. You can easily rearrange, remove, or add pages as you grow as a planner. If you know you need a detailed schedule for each day plus lots of room for task lists, notes and other daily tracking, select a planner with a Daily layout. Otherwise, I recommend started out with a Weekly layout. I find the Weekly Vertical layout to be most flexible. You can create dashboard across the lower part of the page if not needed for individual daily information.
If you are looking for a little more detail, check out the earlier post – Finding a Functional Planner That Works For You. I’ll drop my planner picks (so far) in the Comments below. Please share your planner picks for 2025 there, as well. I’d love to know what everyone is choosing.
Happy Planning,
Linda
Tell me what you think …