Goals, Organization, Time Management
8 Reasons Why I Use A Paper Planner and Why You Should Too
Nov
I don’t just preach paper planners because I made one and want you to buy it. Ok, well, I want that too, but more importantly, there are actually some really good benefits to using a paper planner over other planning options and tools. Here are the 8 reasons why I use a daily, weekly, and monthly notebook and planner and why I believe you should too!
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Digital Planning Tools Aren’t Always Best
Let’s not get it twisted here, I love my phone. It is my life line in almost every situation. I use my phone calendar & notes often, mostly because I share a calendar with my husband, and it is always within reach, but when it comes to planning, digital isn’t always my friend, and I bet you it’s not yours either (even if you want to believe it is). You see, when my phone is blaring, reminding me to do that next thing I need to do, often, it is super easy to click that little “off” button and away it goes. Out of sight, out of mind, and also, not completed.
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You Can’t Run From a Paper Planner
Ok, yes, you can close it and forget about it, or even somehow find a way to “lose” it for a while, but the fact is, it will always be there staring at you, giving you a guilt trip every time you pass it by. But when you do use it and write things down, they will sit there staring at you until you get them done. Every day you have to re-write an action item on your to-do list because you didn’t get it done for the umpteenth time this week or month, your desire to get it done gets much more intense.
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Checking Things Off a Paper List is Super Satisfying
It’s true, and I’m not just saying that because I’m a super nerdy organization freak. When you check items off a to-do list, and visually see what you have accomplished, your brain releases dopamine, which is our body’s natural way of making us feel good, and when it feels good, you want to do it again and again and again. Super satisfying!
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Paper Planners Make You More Intentional with Your Time
When you are a momtrepreneur, being intentional with your time is extremely important. There is no time for wasted time. Planning out your day, planning out your to-do list and action items is important to keeping you focused on what is important, and seeing them, as a whole, in front of you, makes sure you keep your intentions crystal clear.
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Paper Planners Make You More Productive
(See number 3)
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Pretty Planners Are Motivating
What is it about pretty things that is so gosh darn motivating? (I guess that’s a questions guys have been asking themselves for years, right?) Well, I’m not sure, but it sure does help when your planner is pretty and has super motivating quotes and affirmations!
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Mombrain
Maybe it’s pure exhaustion, or maybe it’s simply the mother mental load that we bear, and quite possibly, it’s both! Whatever the reason, having the keenest of memories seems to fly out the door once you have kids, and forgetting that it’s your snack day is a HUGE deal. Setting time to intentionally brain dump that massive spiderweb of to-do’s clogging your mind, drastically helps you find clarity (then, see number 5).
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Because Science Says that Writing Things Down is Better
Don’t take my word for it, the Association for Physiological Science conducted extensive research and found that “…taking notes by hand is better than taking notes on a laptop for remembering conceptual information over the long term.” The just of the research shows that technological based notes often carry “mindless transcription” rather than thoughtful deliberation that induces memorization. All this is just a fancy way of saying that you remember things better when you write them down.
So How Do I Do So Much?
There it is! I get asked all the time, how do you do so much? Well, here’s my secret… I use a paper planner and you should too! Check out my Momtrepreneur Planner for an all-encompassing notebook and daily, weekly and monthly planner to help you conquer your mom entrepreneur dreams and let mombrain be a thing of the past!
