The best part of planning for me is my essentials. Check out this post on my Top 3 Planning Essentials for a Blogger.
It’s pretty simple. A planner, or planners… Notebook, or notebooks. And good writing tools. While my essentials seem to be simple items you may have laying around the house. I only pick the best of the best, planners, notebooks, and writing tools.
Planning wouldn’t be half as fun if it wasn’t for the inspiring and gorgeous planners, or colorful notebooks, and nice writing tools. Have you ever tried to write with a pen or marker and it just sucked?
I mean let’s be real. You can cheap out and buy a planner, notebook, and pens from your local dollar store. But, are you really going to be inspired to plan anything? My guess is, that you will not be inspired to plan.
I would be lying if I told you that I wasn’t a planner and notebook addict. I would never be the one to tell you not to buy that cute planner or notebook. One is never enough in my opinion.
Plus, I am so old school that while I do live by my google calendar; having a physical planner is a must!
Top 3 Planning Essentials for a Blogger
1. A Planner is absolutely a planning essential for a blogger
First things first. The number one planning essential is actually picking out a planner that works for you. There are so many different planner types out there to chose from. When I was deciding my top picks were: Erin Condren Life Planner, Passion Planner, Happy Planner, and a standard A5 customizable planner.
After comparing my options I decided on the Happy Planner. I have been using the Happy Planner for two years now. I absolutely look forward to my birthday planner from my husband. My birthday is in January and he always buys me a new planner for the new year. It’s practically a tradition and I am always excited about it. (He supports my addiction)
I selected the Happy Planner because of the beautiful designs and happy notes of encouragement that are spread throughout each page in the planner. For each month there is a space to record: goals, notes, and birthdays.
The Happy Planner has two style options for the calendar layout: horizontal and vertical. I prefer the vertical calendar option. When planning I like using color blocks and the vertical layout makes it so much easier to section out my daily schedule.
The Happy Planner also has different size options available based on your planning needs. Size options include big, classic/skinny classic, mini, and micro.
One of my favorite specs about the Happy Planner is my ability to customize my planner with beautiful stickers and inserts. This absolutely makes planning more fun. It’s literally a hobby for me.
Currently, I manage two Happy Planners. I use the classic Happy Planner for family and work. And I use a mini Happy Planner strictly for Blog Life With Erica. [Shoutout to my friend Nicole for buying me a mini Happy Planner]
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2. A Notebook is essential when planning
Planning doesn’t solely happen in a planner. Notebooks are also essential when planning. Aside from managing my planner I use multiple notebooks to plan. I have one notebook dedicated to bullet journaling and another notebook I use to jot down goals and brainstorm ideas.
I recently purchased a Me to We Productivity Notebook and it includes sticky notes and flags. Most of my drafting for my blog posts occurs in that notebook. I love the quote on the front that states:
BE PURPOSEFUL, BE PRESENT.
This notebook was original $12.99, but I purchased it on sale for $1.29. I couldn’t resist. The colors are so beautiful.
I then use my Me to We Clipfolio to jot down goals and basically anything creative. This clipfolio was original $9.99, but I purchased it on sale for $1.98. Another bargain that I couldn’t pass up.
Most of my notebook planning is in the form of bullet journaling. This method really helps me stay organized, provides me with peace of mind, and encourages me to accomplish my goals.
3. Writing Tools are also essential when planning
You can not effectively plan without good writing tools.
My writing tools consists of quality:
- Colorful Pens
- Fine Liner Markers
- Highlighters
When it comes to writing tools I love the color. I tend to color code everything that I write in my planner and notebooks. For example, for each child, they have their own color in my planner. Everything related to my blog has its own color as well.
Color coding my planner helps me keep projects and tasks organized. By doing so, really helps to ease my OCD and anxiety. I am the ultimate perfectionist and I like to keep everything organized and in place.
I am a very visual person and planner so the colors really help me to stay focused and motivated when planning.
What are your planning essentials?
Comment below. I am looking forward to reading what you find to be essential in your planning.
If you are currently struggling with planning, share with me exactly what you are struggling with. I would love to support and help you to grow in your planning skills.
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