How My Passion Planner Keeps me on Track

I love finding tools that help me on my journey.  Back in the olden days, you know, the 1990s? I used a Day-Timer Date book that worked well for my personal life and my job (I travelled A LOT.) But as  a technology geek I was an early adopter to digital planners.  It started with a Palm Pilot and progressed until today's Cozi, which is a website/app that I access on my laptop, Ipad, and Samsung phone. I used to keep the family calendar on the refrigerator which was virtually ignored by everyone except me anyways.  For several years now I’ve printed out the weekly schedule from Cozi for the refrigerator and it has worked pretty well.  However, when recording an appointment on my phone I would get a lingering thought: what if my account was deleted? I’d have NO IDEA when my appointments were.

This year I decided to go back to the good old days and find an actual planner.  Ideally I would want to carry it with me.  In my research I found the Passion Planner had the highest reviews.  My teenage son had been given one by his coach too so I was familiar with it.  I ordered one for myself and printed out some PDF files they provide to get started while I waited for delivery.  Finding your passion is the goal. They use terms like “Game Changer,” “Passion Road Map,” and “Prioritizing.”  I went through this exercise and found that Writing is my passion!  My jobs as Norwex Consultant and Subsitute teacher scored pretty low overall. We don’t depend on my money earning jobs to pay the grocery bill, so I realize I have a little more flexibility than many.  But the point is, if something isn’t your passion (even if you still have to do that to pay the bills) then at least begin taking small steps toward making your passion that thing that takes up most of your time (and can pay the bills possibly too.)

When I started using the Passion Planner I ambitiously joined a FB chat forum of aficionados.  Wow, these people use their planners as a creative outlet that rivals some of my best scrapbooks (Oh yeah, I was big time into scrapbooking for several years – hope to at least finish the kids’ books at some point).  I wanted to use the Passion Planner as a datebook planner but I guess I need a creative outlet too!  Now I own colored highlighters, colored Sharpie pens, a small assortment of stickers and a an entire box of Washi tape. No, I never heard of washi tape either before I ventured into this new arena.

Interacting with others in the #PashFam I’ve been encouraged to explore different methods and processes in my planner.  In the beginning I planned lots of tasks but didn’t actually do them!  Now I’ve fine tuned the layout to where it really focuses me and helps me accomplish some tasks I’ve been putting off.

My Method:

1. Prior to the week:

•          frame the days with washi tape and decorate the edges, I want to look at something pretty!
•          write in appointments as they are scheduled (I’ve started keeping these above the 12:00 line no matter the time)

2. Sat/Sun before the week:

•          add in new appointments, meetings, scheduled events
•          Use the “space of infinite possibility” for a FOCUS reminder: always health related
•          Customize the “to do” section for the week with tasks that will accomplish a weekly or monthly goal.  Currently I use this for decluttering and other household projects that need to be finished.
•          Analyze my days and add specific tasks to specific days (above the 12:00 line)
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I blurred some personal items: it doesn't really look this messy!

3. During the week:

•          Journal things I do below the 12:00 line.  Some days I need a record that even though nothing big was accomplished, I was productive so I sometimes I record: laundry, cleaned litter box, vacuumed, etc.
•          Add impromptu meetings or fun things that happen in the day section below 12:00
•          Add quotes or inspiration that I hear anywhere on the page.
•          Check off completed items – such satisfaction from marking that check!
•          I use the “Today’s Focus” section to record my walks in miles
•          The “Good Things That Happened” box gets filled in as good things happen or as a reflection at the end of the week. 

This year I’ve made more progress in decluttering than ever before.  I’ve sold books on Amazon and sold some items on Ebay . I’ve taken boxes and bags to a donation facility.  I have everything ready for my tax return (before April, yay!) and am sewing some bathroom curtains today.  I’ve learned that focusing on my planned “to do” list accomplishes more because the general housework will get done eventually.  As a homemaker it is very easy to fall into the spiral of food prep, laundry, housework, shopping, repeat.  Those things expand and fill your time if you let them.  The Passion Planner focuses me on what I want to accomplish which allows the time spent on the humdrum housekeeping chores to diminish.