For many people, Julie and Heather included, the key to an organized, goal-achieving year is a good planner. So to kick off 2014, we wanted to share our thoughts on six of the weekly blogger-friendly planners we’ve had the opportunity to test out over the past few weeks. Which one most suits your needs?
Martha Stewart Discbound Planner
$25-60
Julie: I love this planner for its total flexibility. I use the 5 1/2″ x 8″ discbound notebook with the calendar insert, some filler paper, and the dividers. I can easily move pages and notes from one section to another, so I’m not stuck trying to judge how many pages I need for blog brainstorming versus goal setting versus Healthy Living Summit planning, for example. I can just add or remove pages as needed!
Each month starts with a two-page overview of the month. Then, a week spreads across two pages. Rather than being broken up by hour, which I always find overwhelming in a planner, each day is split up by Morning-Afternoon-Evening. There are also two custom spaces at the bottom of each day, which I use to track my meal plan and my blog posts. Finally, the calendar insert comes with a four-year calendar and a list of the dates for all holidays, as well as a few pages for addresses and phone numbers.
I use the filler paper and dividers to keep notes for all my work and creative planning. I like the system so much, I’m thinking of using a discbound notebook for all my recipe planning and development, too!
Letter C Design 2014 Weekly Planner
$32.50
Heather: This is my second year in a row I chose to use the weekly planner from Letter C Design, and there were a few small differences in the 2014 version which I really like. This planner starts with a two page spread for each month of the year; a left hand page for notes, and a monthly layout on the right. Following the 12 months begins the weekly format, which mimics the monthly section. A note page on the left is accompanied by a one page week layout on the right. Last year’s book didn’t have these note pages throughout the year, and I love the addition of extra space for lists and reminders. The back of the book also features additional note pages.
All of Letter C’s calendars match a monthly design print, and you can download a free matching desktop background at the start of each month from the shop’s blog. [The January download can be found here: Happy 2014] There are also five different cover designs from choose from. [I chose birch.]
I mainly use this planner as a content planner and tracker for Then Heather Said, HealthyLivingBlogs.com, and Healthy Living Summit. I also add blogging meet-ups, social media events, and other internet information. I like the simple layout of this calendar for keeping track of what posts need editing and which have been completed and scheduled for publishing. I write the title or topic of the post on the date it needs to be published, and once it’s uploaded and scheduled I circle that text.
Keeping it Together: A Girls Guide to Living Life to the Fullest (KIT)*
$55.00
Heather: Motivational and fun is what sets the KIT apart from the other planners I reviewed. This planner also covers goal setting for a healthy and happy life, with additional features such as nutrition tracking cards for “check-in days” to keep yourself on-track throughout the year. As someone who doesn’t count calories every day, but uses the “check-in” method a handful of times a year, these are a great feature perk! Other bonus features promoting health goals include “Fit & Fab” tips and inspirational quotes.
The layout of this planner is a full page for each weekday, and a shared page for Saturday and Sunday which also includes a meal plan section to help you prepare for the week ahead. Each day page includes a To-Do list section, along with designated spaces to track exercise and gratitude. Each page of this colorful planner supports a life of happy and healthy choice making.
Each month is separated by a labeled tab, which starts with a month layout and additional notes page, and ends with an adorable “Doodle Break” page. At the end of the planner are a couple of pages of travel workouts to rely on when your on the road. This planner also comes with Keeping it Together sticky notes and themed stickers for marking events.
I’m currently using this planner as a health and fitness planner and tracker. I’m also trying to write a note of one small thing I’m thankful for each day in the given space. As I chose races to train for this summer and fall, I know this book will come in handy to track my training plans, especially.
Julie: I like that each weekend has a half-page devoted to meal planning, with plenty of space to note dinners, side dishes and other recipes for the week. In fact, space is really the thing that sets the KIT planner apart from the rest – each page has so much room for writing to-do lists, noting your exercise and gratitude, and even has space left over to list fitness tips, recipes and other helpful advice and quotes. One last thing: the gratitude section is great, and reminds me to appreciate the Little Things every day, just like I do on my blog and on the Best Life Ever podcast!
Ultimate Blog Planner Excel Spreadsheet*
$15.00
Heather: I love this planner for being 100% digital and already built for me. I’m a spreadsheet lover [I easily work in over a dozen a day at the office] and Ashleigh, the creator of this Excel document, has done a great job of pulling together all the things a blogger would want to track in one planner.
The layout is user friendly and really easy to follow, and Ashleigh has explained all of the different facets of her planner in the instructions page at the very start of the document. In this planner you can set and track goals along with the action items you do and need to do to reach the goals. There are sections dedicated to a blog editorial calendar, social media post planner, content ideas, brand interaction, site analytics, and so much more.
I have set some big goals for myself and my internet’ing in 2014 and I really think this digital planner is a great tool for helping me to get there. I’m excited to have a place already dedicated to tracking expenses, link-ups, income, and accomplishments along the way. I have a reoccurring date with myself once a week to sit down with this planner and look ahead at the week to decide how I can best use my time to get closer to achieving my goals. For the price, this spreadsheet planner is a steal of a deal in my mind!
DIY Planner
$ – cost of whatever notebook you are using
Julie: If you really want a custom planner, consider making your own! I drew one out for 2013, and outlined the process here.
Blog Buddy*
$50-99
Julie: I am so excited about this Kickstarter project – a planner designed precisely for bloggers! We’ll be doing a full review of this one later, but for now, note that you can get the planner for $50 instead of the usual $99 if you support the Kickstarter project now!
What type of planner or date system do you use to keep your life organized?
*Please note: a review copy of this product was provided from the manufacturer.