Time Management Planner

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Find The Right Time Management Planner For You

A time management planner is essential to getting and staying organized -- especially in today's world! Demands are up, extra minutes in your day down.

There's no denying that a planner, when used properly, can keep you on time and on track. But sometimes it's hard to figure out which type of time management planner would best suit your lifestyle. Paper or digital? Wall, desk, or pocket? Weekly or monthly? There are many, many options!

In my line of work as a professional organizer, I come across different planners, organizers, and datebooks on a daily basis. Some good, some bad, some ugly!

And then there are the time management planners that knock your socks off. Maybe because the concept is so simple yet works so well. Maybe because it does something really cool. Maybe because it's really original.

Whatever the reason may be, I've collected some of the best right here. Just for you to discover. And maybe, just maybe...you'll find one that is perfect for YOU!

Before We Get Down to Business... 

This page is a small sampling of what you'll find on my other websites:

Home Organization Online: Your complete guide to an organized home.

Get Organized: A blog about all things organized, including motivation, time management, productivity, and organizing in pop culture.

Clutterbugs: Anything and everything about Clutterbugs professional organizing products and services.

At any of these sites, you can sign up to get your own copy of the FREE Tip Kit, which includes over 50 ways to boost your organizing savvy!

Time Management Planner: Table of Contents 

My All-Time Favorite Time Management Planner: At-A-Glance 

I'm the kind of person who will never go digital with my time management planner. I like to have something tangible, something that I can write in. Plus, if I spill my green tea on it, I don't have to worry about losing data or device!

The At-A-Glance Daily Action Planner has all I need: lots of pretty little pages to write all over!

Ok - well it offers me a little more than that!

-- It gives me lots of room. Each day is big, so I can have a bunch of space to write.

-- It provides a distinct divider between appointments, to do lists, and random notes.

-- It references the current month and upcoming month, just in case.

-- It includes a small area toward the back of the planner for longer to do lists, project notes, and special information like important contact numbers.

-- It has a pocket to carry loose items that I need!

This photo highlights the features that I just mentioned:



And if you're interested, here are the official product details:

* Page size: 4 3/4" x 8"
* Includes storage pocket
* Tabbed sections for to dos, notes, and special information
* Special information includes: 800#'s, future planning, web addresses, four-color world map
* One day per page: half of each day for meetings/appointments and half of each day for to dos, notes, and lists
* Hourly appointments, 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
* Past, current, and future months reference
* Julian dates
* Available in Black

Shop Here: At-A-Glance

Time Management Planner: More At-A-Glance 

The thing to keep in mind with At-A-Glance is that they have a very simple system.

Sizes: pocket, small, medium, large
Page views: daily, weekly, monthly
Calendar dates: multi-year, yearly, mid-year start, school year, undated
Colors: the basics (burgundy, brown, black, navy, gray), an occasional bright color like red

And within each size, you'll be able to find different page views, calendar dates, and colors.

For example, if you see an At-A-Glance planner that has the page views you'd like, but it's too small...then you can likely find a larger size with the page views you want.

At-A-Glance planners are versatile, which is one of the main reasons why I love the brand. You'll be hard-pressed to find another time management planner product line that gives you so many options!

Weekly Appt. Book with Telephone/Address Book Writing Pad

This is a small planner that packs a huge punch! Includes not only just basic appointment planning, but also an address book and note pad.

Details
* Page size: 3 3/4 x 6 1/8 inches
* 12 months (January - December)
* Hourly appointments, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; one week per two-page spread
* Past, current, and two future months reference
* Julian dates
* Perforated corners for easy reference
* Available in Black

Amazon Price: $17.22 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Designer Appt Book, 1 Week/Spread, No Appointment Tiimes, 3 1/4 x 5 3/4, Black (AAG7040205) Category: Weekly Appointment Books and Planners

Pocket-sized, with no spiral binding. (For those who carry planners in their back pocket - this is good news for their behinds!) It's a weekly view, with just enough room each day to write down the important stuff.

Details
* Binding - Stitched
* Color(s) - Black
* Page Size - 3-1/4 x 5-3/4 inches
* Ruling - Unruled
* Calendar Reference Blocks - 3 months

Amazon Price: $11.83 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

At-A-Glance Dayminder 7 7/8 x 11 7/8 Inch Black Monthly Professional Recycled Planner for 2009

If you like to see an entire month at once, then you better biggie size it! Otherwise, the space to jot down notes for each day...well, it'd be pretty small!

Details
* One month per spread
* 6-month calendar reference blocks
* Simulated leather cover, wire bound
* 7-7/8 x 11-7/8 inches page size
* 14-month (December-January) format

Amazon Price: $8.74 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

My 2nd Favorite Time Management Planner: WeekDate 

If you are like me, then you have certain things that happen at the same time every day or the same day of every week or month.

Who wants to write "staff meeting" or "soccer practice" over and over and over?

With a traditional time management planner, you have to write those certain things down every single time that they are scheduled.

With this new, innovative time management planner, you only write it once.

How is this possible?! Let me explain...

Monthlies on the Top

Definition: Monthlies are the activities that occur on the same day of every month.

Examples:
- Play golf with Tom and Ken at 730am on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month.
- Volunteer at the soup kitchen on the 2nd Thursday of the month.
- Poker night on the last Saturday of every month.



***



Weeklies on the Bottom

Definition: Weeklies are the activities that occur on the same day of every week.

Examples:
- Watch Grey's Anatomy with the girls on Thursdays at 8pm.
- Call mom on Sunday afternoons.
- Karate class from 630 - 730pm on Mondays.



***



Dailies in Between

Definition: Dailies are all the specifics that you need to schedule throughout a given week - activities that do not occur every month or every week but only every now and again.

Examples:
- Dental appointment on Monday at 2pm.
- Email status report to boss by 5pm this Friday.
- Lunch with Mike at 12 o'clock sharp on Thursday.



***



End Result

You see the complete picture of your life in one glance! Works extremely well for those with repetitive schedules.



Shop here: WeekDate

Famous Guy On Time Management 



The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.

C.S. Lewis

Time Management Planner: Family/ Mom 

BusyBody 2009 Daily Planner, Funky Floral

This calendar runs from January-December. It's great for families because each person gets their own column. But if you like the look of the planner and want to use it for your school or job, it will still work. Just use those columns for activities or meetings in lieu of family members...

Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

August '08 - September '09 BusyBodyBook Personal & Family Organizer: Blue

Calendar that coincides with the school year, so it's a fit for students, teachers, or parents with school-aged kids!

Amazon Price: $15.25 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Mom's Plan-It 17 Month 2008-2009 Engagement Diary Calendar (Moms Planner)

Cool features:

(1) Tear-off grocery lists and weekly menus that make planning a cinch. (One less slip of paper to keep track of!)

(2) Handy stickers for marking no-school days, big games, parties, and much more. (No extra writing!)

Amazon Price: $5.99 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Mom's Ultimate Family Organizer: A One-Stop Planner for Busy Moms

More comprehensive than just your average planner. Calendar pages keep track of family members' schedules, directory pages locate everyone from the kindergarten teacher to the carpet cleaner, and event pages help plan for birthday parties or the family vacation.

Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Time Management Planner: School/ College 

I shy away from recommending specific time management planners for children of any age. Why is this? Because I don't have children myself and I have no clients under the age of 24 -- so I have no personal experience with any planners for this age group.

However, I'll share some places to research your options or shop online:

School Mate :: Meade :: School Planners :: Meridian

Time Management Planner: Executive/ Professional 

At-A-Glance Dayminder 7 7/8 x 11 7/8 Inch Black Monthly Professional Recycled Planner for 2009

It's BIG.

Details
* One month per spread
* 6-month calendar reference blocks
* Simulated leather cover, wire bound
* 14-month (December-January) format

Amazon Price: $8.74 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

At-A-Glance 70-LX81-05 Executive Weekly/Monthly Planner for 2009, with Calculator, Leather, Black

It's BIGGER.

Details
* 13 months (January - January)
* Format enhanced to add space for prioritized activities
* Weekly: One week per two-page spread; quarter-hourly appointments, 8:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m.
* Monthly: One tabbed month per two-page spread; past, current, and four future months reference
* Telephone/address pages
* Julian dates
* Genuine leather cover includes calculator, Post-it® note dispenser, storage pocket, business card holder, and pen loop
* Available in Black

Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

AT-A-GLANCE® SKPN70-00 QuickNotes Desk Pad Calendar for 2009, Monthly, 22 x 17, Pink Ribbon

It's the BIGGEST.

Details
* 0.1 x 21.8 x 17.1 inches
* Yellow highlighted and ruled QuickNotes® panel for priority planning
* Ruled blocks
* Shaded weekends; federal holidays noted in red
* 13-month reference calendar

Amazon Price: (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Time Management Planner: Techie 

BlackBerries can help you keep it together digital-style! The BlackBerry Pearl 8120 (T-Mobile's version not the one from AT&T) made the top of PC World's list of the 10 best smart phones available today.

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Phone, Titanium (T-Mobile)

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Phone, Black/Emerald (T-Mobile)

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Phone, Frost (T-Mobile)

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

BlackBerry Pearl 8120 Phone, Indigo (T-Mobile)

Amazon Price: $0.01 (as of 11/12/2009) Buy Now

Usually ships in 24 hours

Time Management Planner: Out-Of-The-Box 

(1) 8 Days A-Week Planner Journal by Bob's Your Uncle®

8 Days A-Week Planner Journal by Bob's Your Uncle®
You've always wanted to add an extra day to your hectic week and now you can with the 8 Days A-Week Planner Journal by Bob's Your Uncle®.

This unique spiral notebook allows you to schedule your Monday through Sunday activities, appointments and meeting, but it also gives you an extra column for a day that we like to call Someday.

And, since you fill in the dates, there's no need to wait until the new year - this journal is ready to start organizing your life whenever you are.

Features: Weekly layout with Monday thru Sunday and Someday ~ Spaces for each half hour from 7:30 am to 6:30 pm ~ Extra lines for notes and such ~ Spiral bound ~ Opens flat ~ Includes 56 double sided pages ~ Size: 11"tall x 17"wide

Shop here: Organize

(2) The Non-Planner Datebook by Kari Smith



As you might guess by the name, this is not your everyday planner, in many senses of the word.

The Non-Planner Datebook randomly intersperses undated monthly overviews with journal and idea pages so that you can have some sense of framework, but not feel constricted or bound by predictability.

And the whimsical structure and art are meant to amuse and make you reflect, but also just capture current moments and states. It may seem paradoxical to be simultaneously looking towards the future and the present moment, but it works in reminding you that organizing the later can be just as enjoyable as living the now.

Features: New 2nd printing ~ 12 undated month-at-a-glance pages ~ Reference mini-calendars for 2009-2011 ~ 81 note/journal pages with varying degrees of customization ~ Two-color cover and olive interior pages ~ Printed in Oakland, CA on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with soy-based inks ~ 5" wide x 7" tall spiral-bound book with chipboard back cover ~ 96 pages, 70# text natural

Shop here: Little Otsu

Time Management Planner: Abstract 

This is one of those calendars that just catches the eye. It's literally a piece of art. Which is why, if you want this time management planner, you better act fast! From what I understand, it's printed in limited quantities only.

Months can easily be separated and hung in a row, for more colorful wall coverage. Printed on 100% recycled paper.

Shop here: SusyJack on Etsy

Time Management Planner: DIY 

Typical wall calendars are far from being fashionable, so it's nice to see something new. This calendar, created by Patricia Zapata, looks oh-so stylish and chic!

It's also neutral in style, so it could work for a girl or a guy. (Ok, well maybe not manly-men types, but it would work for some guys with more refined taste!)

You, too, can make this calendar by using a simple downloadable PDF that includes all instructions and printable materials. Very reasonably priced at under $5.

Put together this time management planner for yourself or as a gift for someone special.

Shop here: My Little Hut

Time Management Planner: Freebies 

PocketMod: The Free Recyclable Personal Organizer
Create your very own personalized pocket time management planner by using smart widgets. VERY COOL!
My Free Calendar Maker
Generates daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly calendar grids based on the date you select. (Required: Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Shopping For A Time Management Planner 

It's impossible for me to cover all the different types of planners, datebooks, and calendars that are out there today. If nothing on this page tickled your fancy and you wanna keep hunting for the best time management planner for you, then here are some more shopping options!





Shop Office Supplies


The Container Store - Brand Logo (392x72)

Office Depot, Inc

Famous Guy On Time Management 



Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.

Benjamin Franklin

Time Management Planner: Resources 

You can use these web resources to help keep your time management planner up-to-date and effective...
2009 Federal Holidays (U.S)
Federal law (5 U.S.C. 6103) establishes the following public holidays for Federal employees.
Earth Calendar
A global events calendar which documents the holidays and occasions from countries and religions around the world.
World Time Server
Are you about to make an International long distance phone call? Are you planning a trip to a foreign destination? Are you preparing for a web cast or online meeting? Are you looking for a free clock for your own web site or blog? Just want to know what time it is? The Internet can bring locations around the world together, but with each place having different times, World Time Server is here to help!
World Time Zone
Map of international time zones.
Calendar Converter
This web page allows you to interconvert dates in a variety of calendars, both civil and computer-related. (Required: Your browser must support JavaScript.)

Time Management Planner: Reminder! 

This page is a small sampling of what you'll find on my other websites:

Home Organization Online: Your complete guide to an organized home.

Get Organized: A blog about all things organized, including motivation, time management, productivity, and organizing in pop culture. (Note: See next module for recent posts.)

Clutterbugs: Anything and everything about Clutterbugs professional organizing products and services.

At any of these sites, you can sign up to get your own copy of the FREE Tip Kit, which includes over 50 ways to boost your organizing savvy!

Learn About Time Management Planners As I Find 'Em 

I blog about new time management planners as I discover them. If you like my suggestions here, then visit my blog and sign up for weekly updates on organizing products, tips, and more!

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Time Management Planner: Guestbook 

Sometimes I luck up and find a cool, new time management planner on my own. But most of the time, it's good folks like yourself who clue me in! Please share any information you have about planners, organizers, calendars, or datebooks. Or you can just say "hi"!

LSWMSN1979 wrote...

Hi Carmen,

New to Squidoo (I know, where have I been, right?!?) and came across this lens - very cool and love the graphics!
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ReplyPosted July 08, 2009

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ReplyPosted June 06, 2008

carmine wrote...

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ReplyPosted May 22, 2008

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carmine wrote...

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ReplyPosted May 13, 2008

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by Clutterbugs

My name is Carmen, and I'm a professional organizer. Before starting my own business, I spent 7 years as a US Air Force officer, traveling to over 30... (more)

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