How to Find the Top Weekly Planner for You

Max Sinclair on 06/06/2024

In today’s world, where hustle culture and a productive mindset mean we are constantly being shown new ways of planning our weeks, it can feel like we’re being overwhelmed by options.  

There are thousands of different weekly planners and planning apps out there, so how the hell are you supposed to know which one to pick? Here’s the thing: you shouldn’t just try to find the best weekly planner. You should try to specifically find the best weekly planner for you. Think about your life, your needs, and what you want from a planner, and then select a planner that aligns with that. Not sure how to do that? You’ve come to the right place.

digital or paper?

The first step to making a decision is to narrow it down, and when it comes to planners, the easiest way to eliminate a whole bunch of options is to decide whether you prefer to do your planning digitally or on paper. 

If you’re on the fence about this as well, give this blog post a read, as I share some tips that you may find helpful. But perhaps you already know that you prefer paper planners so that you can use planner stickers. Once you’ve made this big decision, the rest should come easily.

what's your planning style?

Next, you need to figure out your planning style so that you can find a planner that aligns with this. Are you a very detailed person, or do you just need somewhere to jot down ideas? Do you want your planner to be basic and practical, or a place where you can express your creativity?

Figuring out how you like to plan can help you determine what to plan with. Some people love cracking open a new planner and going to their favourite craft stores so that they can decorate their weekly pages.

But others like a simple monthly planner that they can then use to break down their weekly pages in an undated planner. You may enjoy the creative aspect of bullet journaling or want to try your hand at habit tracking, in which case you may need a weekly planner that allows for this, rather than a basic weekly lifeplanner that only has space for a few daily tasks. Your planning style determines your perfect planner.

Do you have any specific requirements?

You also need to think about anything that is an absolute must in a planner. Most planners have some standard inclusions like monthly calendars and to-do lists for your weekly tasks, but sometimes, you need something extra. 

Maybe you want a planner that has time slots so that you can keep track of appointments. If you use a digital planner, you may want to choose one that syncs with different apps, or one like Forzeit, which allows for templating. 

Or maybe you want pages dedicated to note pages. Or some time management element. Some people want to have a monthly calendar included in their paper planner or look for a specific weekly layout in their weekly planners so that they have enough writing room to plan ahead.

Everyone has some non-negotiable things that they look for in their planners, so look for a weekly planner that offers you what you need.

which size is right?

If you select a physical planner, you need to think about which size suits your lifestyle. If you have a lot of stuff to get done and your planner has a permanent home on your desk, then a bigger planner might be better.

But if your planner is always coming with you, you may want a small planner that’s easy to transport – or a digital one, since you can simply bring your phone with you to access it. Similarly, if you just need a place to keep your to-do lists, a small notebook may be the only “planner” you really need.

does it suit your aesthetic style?

Yes, planners are there to be practical and help us be productive, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t be fun.

There are thousands of planners out there to match any aesthetic, from minimalist to colourful and everything in between, so choose one that sparks joy and inspires you to actually use it.

what do the reviews say?

Finally, look at what others have to say about the planner. What do they like, and what don’t they enjoy? Use this to guide you in selecting the perfect planner for you, and don’t be afraid to ask loved ones for recommendations!

final words

In conclusion, there are many weekly planner options out there, and the key is to find one that works for you. Because the thing is, the “perfect” planner for one person might not be the perfect planner for you. In the end, as long as you have a planner that allows you to get stuff done and that you enjoy using, that’s all that matters. Finding the top weekly planner for you really doesn’t need to be as hard as it seems!

How Do I Find the Best Weekly Planner for Me?

Max Sinclair on 05/06/2024

Once you reach a certain age and have responsibilities and a lot of other stuff on your plate, planning your weeks becomes essential. 

After all, we may like to think we’re superhuman and will remember everything, but that’s not the case. You need to have what I like to call a “second brain” – a place where you can store your thoughts, ideas, and to-dos. 

I’m probably preaching to the choir here. Most of us have already realised the importance of a good weekly planner. The issue, however, is selecting a weekly planner that works for you. With so many options out there, it can be overwhelming to try and wade through all the life planners, which is why I’ve put together a list of tips that should help you narrow down your options to find the perfect planner for you. 

digital, physical, or both?

Ah, yes. The big debate of whether digital or physical planners are best. I have a whole post about this, so I won’t go into too much detail. 

What it comes down to is this: there isn’t a right or wrong answer. Both options have their pros and cons. You need to decide whether you prefer the convenience of digital planning or the traditional method of paper planning. And don’t forget that you can use a combination of them both!

what are your needs?

Some people only need a planner to write down big events or time-related things like meetings, whereas others love having a planner that contains every detail of their lives, from their meals to their elaborate morning routine and everything in between.

You may also need a planner that has space to write down your children’s activities, or one that has a space for daily reflection. Think about what you will be using the planner for, and look for one that meets your needs. Your planner needs to fit your weekly schedule as well as your daily schedule, so be sure to keep that in mind when perusing weekly planners. The right planner for you is the one that effortlessly fits with your daily habits.

Do you have any specific requirements?

Once you’ve narrowed down what you want to use your planner for, you need to get into the nitty-gritty details. This will help you decide which planner format is the best option for the current stage of your planning journey. 

Think about any specific details you may want from your planner, and eliminate any planners that don’t have those things. Maybe you want an undated planner so that you have more flexibility when you use it. If you use a digital planner, perhaps you want one that gives you reminders or that syncs with other apps. Thinking about your non-negotiables will help you weed out any planners that won’t give you what you want. 

Some ideas of extra features you may want include a monthly budget, an ongoing to-do list, a monthly calendar alongside your weekly layouts, or a fun cover image. Also, keep in mind that many companies offer custom planners, so if you’re on the market for something specific in your weekly planning pages, that could be a good solution.

what does your research say?

Do your research! Look up reviews for physical planners, read the reviews for planning apps, and talk to your loved ones about which planners they use. 

What do people like about specific planners, and what drives them mad? I’m willing to bet that once you start looking into some planners, you will easily be able to tell whether they’re worth it or not. Also, think of your personal priorities in a planner and try to focus on planners that align with that. 

can you do a test drive?

When you use a planning app, you can try various apps – either at the same time or switching between them from week to week – to get a feel of which ones work for you and which ones don’t. This can help you narrow down what to use for your own planner. 

This is a bit harder when it comes to physical planners, of course, since no one wants to buy ten planners if they will only end up using one.

what's your budget?

The price range for planners is very broad. You could technically buy a small notebook and use it as your planner, or even type your weekly plans into your notes app. 

But there are very beautiful and elaborate planners out there that cost a lot, and there are also many paid planning apps that offer you great benefits that free versions don’t always get. Again, it comes down to what you’re looking for in a planner. In the end, you need to know what you want in a monthly planner and how much you’re willing to pay for it.

quick shoutout to forzeit

Before I close this blog post, I would like to shout out a new planning app (and yes, I made it myself, so I am a bit biased). It’s called Forzeit, and it has everything that I myself look for in a digital weekly planner. Also, it’s not just weekly – you can use it for literally anything you want. The sky’s the limit. 

If you’d like to give Forzeit a try, click here.

the end

There you go! This was a nice and short post because in the end, it doesn’t really matter that much which planner you use, as long as you have a planning system that works for you. I get that it can be overwhelming, though, so I hope that this post gave you a bit of clarity and a starting point to help you figure out which planner to use for you.

You can use a combination of both, or use one for a while and then switch to the other as your planning needs change. In the end, your planning system should work for you, and that’s all that matters.

 

Are Digital Weekly Planners the Right Move for You? Here’s What You Need to Know!

Max Sinclair on 04/06/2024

In today’s fast-paced and tech-driven world, it’s no surprise that more and more people are leaning towards doing things digitally. It’s easy. It’s convenient. And it doesn’t use as much space as keeping stacks of paper everywhere. 

However, one area where people seem to be on the fence when it comes to digital versus physical products is planning. Some people have easily migrated to a digital setup, whereas others are die-hard physical planner fans. 

You might be ready to test the waters when it comes to digital planning but feel unsure of whether it’s the right step for you. That’s what this post is here for.

the pros

When it comes to breaking things down, a good place to start is to look at the pros and cons and use that as guidance. Let’s start with the positive elements of digital planners. 

  1. Accessibility and portability: you can access your digital planner on your phone, your laptop, and other devices since most digital planners make it easy for you to sync across multiple devices. Therefore, you can easily access your planner no matter where you are, and there’s no reason to worry about forgetting it at home since we all always have our phones on us anyway. 
  2. Customisation: while most digital planners do have some structure to them, you may still be able to customise yours to suit your needs, depending on what you choose. You can often select your colour scheme, add images, and even customise the font and layout. Of course, if you want to use it for business planning, this likely doesn’t matter much, but if you want to get creative, there are digital sticker packs you can purchase for that extra personalisation..
  3. Integration: another benefit of digital planets is that you can easily integrate them with other apps such as your Google calendar, creating a cohesive hub between your digital items. This way, important dates and events will automatically be added to your planner without you needing to manually add them, which eliminates the risk of missing something important. 
  4. Searchability: if you need to find something in your digital planner, you can easily search for it without having to remember where you wrote it down. Going hand in hand with this is the fact that digital planners can have passwords, making them a good option for those with privacy preferences.
  5. Eco-friendliness: of course, digital planners don’t use paper, which makes them much more sustainable. 
  6. Templating: some digital planners also allow you to set up templates and then duplicate them into your weeks, which is very helpful if you don’t want to spend hours setting up your week.

the cons

For anything that has pros, there will inevitably be cons as well. So, what are the downsides to digital planners?

  1. Screen fatigue: most of us spend all day, every day, staring at a screen. Physical daily planners will give your eyes a bit of a break from digital devices and allow you to disconnect for a while. 
  2. Battery-dependent: of course, another factor to keep in mind is that, since your planner is on a digital device, you can only access it when your device is charged, so you may miss out on important events if your battery dies. Similarly, some apps even need to be connected to the internet, so that’s another factor to consider.
  3. There’s a learning curve: since digital planners use apps and software, you will need to learn how to use them, which can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially if the interface isn’t very user-friendly or if the app keeps glitching. They may also work with marketing and advertising partners, meaning you may be spammed with targeted ads. 
  4. You’ll be faced with distractions: using a digital planning app on your phone or laptop means that you will need to be on those devices all the time, which means you will likely get distracted by emails, social media, and other apps on your devices.

some digital planner options

So, you’ve decided to make the switch to a digital planner (or to at least give it a go) . . . and what now? There are countless digital planning apps out there, so the chances are good that you will find something that works for you. In case you’re feeling overwhelmed and not sure where to start, I’ve put together some options for you. 

  1. Goodnotes: this is a very popular option among iPad users since it allows you to import PDFs and customise your planner to your needs. You can also use your own handwriting in it, which is good for those who prefer that extra personalisation. 
  2. Notion: Notion is a workspace that can be used for nearly anything, thanks to its blank interface which you can design however you want. It has epic features like databases, calendars, to-do lists, and more. You can make it as simple or as complicated as you want. 
  3. Trello: Trello uses boards, lists, and cards to help you organise tasks. It’s great for work planning as you can add tasks to their relevant board and even collaborate with your team across boards and tasks. 
  4. Forzeit: Forzeit is a newer planning option that aims to revolutionise planning. It has everything you need, from links to weekly feedback to templates, to emojis, and more. You can give it a try here.

how to pick the best digital planner

Maybe one of the options above immediately jumped out at you, or maybe you read the description and you were like “hell no”, making it easier for you to eliminate. But maybe you just feel like you still have no idea what will work for you. I’ve been planning my weeks for years, so I have some tips to help you pick the right digital planner. 

  1. Device compatibility: some digital planning apps are only accessible on certain devices, so if they don’t work with your devices, that’s an easy way to know an app isn’t for you.
  2. User interface: as mentioned, there are digital planning apps catered to everyone, so you need to look at it to see if it meets your needs. Do you want something super basic, or a gorgeous planner that is very detailed? Once you’ve decided, select an app whose interface meets your goals. 
  3. Features: are there any features that are very important to you? Maybe you need to be able to use it offline, or perhaps being able to sync it with other apps and devices is non-negotiable. Figure out which features you want and look for apps that offer those. 
  4. Cost: some digital planners are free, others are paid, and some have a free and paid option. You need to consider your budget when selecting a planner, and also consider whether it’s a once-off purchase or an ongoing subscription. 

digital versus physical planners: a quick comparison

Perhaps you’re still not sure of whether digital planners are for you, or maybe you’re feeling overloaded with information, so here’s a quick comparison of digital versus paper planners to help you decide which one is for you.

digital planners

  • Flexibility: you can easily move tasks around and delete them, as well as create multiple templates which isn’t as simple in a physical planner. 
  • Space: digital planners have unlimited space, unlike paper planners, where you may be confined by limited space. 
  • Backup: you can also find a digital planner that offers a backup option so that you never lose your information.

paper planners

  • Tactile experience: some people simply enjoy the act of putting pen to paper and writing, and digital planners don’t offer you that experience. 
  • Focus: paper planners are free from digital distractions, which can help you to stay focused. 
  • Creativity: you can draw, doodle, and add other fun elements to your paper planner to make it a productive and fun experience. 

conclusion

There was a lot of information here, but I hope you found it helpful in your quest towards determining whether digital or physical planners are the best option for you. That being said, you should also keep in mind that it doesn’t need to be one or the other. 

You can use a combination of both, or use one for a while and then switch to the other as your planning needs change. In the end, your planning system should work for you, and that’s all that matters.

 

Digital vs Real World Diaries: Which is Best?

Max Sinclair on 29/05/2024

The debate of digital versus real-world has been around for years and is becoming even more prevalent as more of our lives are moving into the digital space. It’s been debated when it comes to banking, storage, photos, and more. 

With the evolution of digital diaries and planning apps, this is another element of the debate. Are digital or physical planners, diaries, calendars, and journals the way to go?

As with anything else, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer. Both options have their pros and cons, so the important thing is weighing these up and figuring out what works best for you and your planning situation when it comes to the physical versus digital diary study.

the charm of physical planners

Let’s start with real-world planners. There is an age-old charm to these that cannot be denied, given the fact that millions of people still buy them despite the multitude of digital options available. 

There’s something peaceful about sitting down in a quiet corner, putting your pen to paper, and writing down your plans for the week. For those who love adding a creative flair to their planners, this is also a great option, since you can add drawings, stickers, and other artistic elements to your diary.

the convenience of digital planners

Of course, there’s one thing we’re all after in today’s busy world: convenience. And there’s no denying that digital planners are incredibly convenient. You can sync them across multiple devices so that you can plan on your laptop and multiple mobile phones, move and delete your plans as necessary, and even add password protection if you need some added security. 

Some planners, like Forzeit, even have advanced features like templates and weekly reports to make your planning life even easier. You can also add elements like links or video files, which may be helpful depending on what you want to use your planner for. 

Of course, you may not be the target audience for a digital diary. If you need something basic and you’re not on a quest for a deeper understanding of your planning methods, then you may need nothing more than a piece of paper.

bonus tip: you can use both

There’s no rule that says you need to pick one option and stick to that. Many people use a combination of the two for different aspects of their life, and you can do the same! Finding a balance between the two might be the perfect solution, especially if you can’t decide which one is for you. 

Look at your usage patterns to see if you are more drawn to traditional methods of planning like paper planners or whether you prefer a more modern option like a digital diary . . . or both! You may also find that during one time period of your life, a digital diary is best, whereas in another, a physical planner addresses your pain points. There’s no need to limit yourself!

Also, don’t let anyone make you feel like you should be using a specific type of planner. Be honest with yourself about what you need, and get a planner that helps you access this.

the final line

In the end, there’s a lot to be said about both real-life and digital planners. It all depends on what you want and what works for you. Try both, and try different variations of the two. It’s your life and your planner, so as long as you’re happy with it, that’s all that matters. 

How to Find the Best Weekly Planning App for You: A Comprehensive Guide

Max Sinclair on 22/05/2024

In today’s world, where nearly every aspect of our lives has been migrated to the digital realm, it’s no surprise that more and more people are making the switch from paper planners to digital planning apps. 

It just makes sense! There’s much more flexibility when it comes to digital planners, not to mention the convenience of being able to access your synced planner on any device, at any time. 

That being said, there are countless digital weekly planner apps out there, so how do you find the right one? I think the important thing to note is that you need to find a planner that works for you, your needs, and your lifestyle. One planner might be perfect for someone and a nightmare for another. I’ve put together a few things that I hope will guide you in this decision.

1. assess your needs

As mentioned, your planner needs to fit your life, not the other way around. So, figure out what you need from a planner. Do you want it for work? Personal life? An all-encompassing planner that includes everything you could ever need, from meetings to meal planning and more?

There are basic planners to complex ones, ones that do a lot of the work for you, and ones that allow complete customisation. Figuring out what you need will help you to eliminate any planners that don’t fit those parameters. From task management to something that helps you manage projects and track time spent, there’s certainly a planning app that has it all.

2. think of specific requirements

You also need to think about any additional features you may want from your planning app, and whether they are must-haves or whether you are willing to compromise on them. Maybe you want reminders, or the ability to sync your app with your Google calendar. If any of these things are a necessity in your life, be sure to look for a weekly or daily planner app that has them. 

3. research

Don’t just choose the first planning app that you find, but rather do your research. Read reviews, talk to friends, and try to gather a few possible options. While researching, make sure that you add apps that are compatible with your devices, and also be sure to check if the app is paid or not. 

4. test drive some apps

Also don’t feel like you need to confine yourself to one app from the get-go! Try different apps for a few weeks to see which ones you prefer. Remember that many apps have both a free version and a paid version, so that’s another factor to keep in mind. 

Take note of the pros and cons of each, and even consider using different apps for different purposes if you can’t find one that ticks all your boxes. Even if you’ve found an app that you like, there’s no reason why you can’t try other apps to manage your upcoming tasks.

5. look for cross-platform compatibility

As stated earlier, one of the biggest benefits of a weekly planning app is the fact that many apps can sync across multiple devices, so you can use it on your laptop while at work, or on your phone while out and about. 

Some people even like to share their planners with coworkers or spouses for better communication. If this is something that’s important to you, be sure to select apps that can sync.

6. consider integration with other tools

You may also want to sync your planner with your calendar or other tool so that you don’t need to constantly keep manually adding appointments, reminders, and meetings to your planner. You may want to sync Google Calendar events so that your monthly planner and weekly planner are integrated, or have it access your note-taking apps to help you manage various to-do lists.

7. think about the user experience

You also want an app that is intuitive to use, that doesn’t have a million ads, and that doesn’t keep crashing, so user experience is another factor to keep in mind when it comes to selecting a planning app. You need to be able to use it without constantly trying to figure out where things go or how to use certain features. 

Of course, there will always be a learning curve, but in the end, a planner should make your life easier, not harder.

8. don't feel stuck

You may find a planning app that works perfectly well for you, but that doesn’t mean that it always will.

Life is always changing, so you need to allow yourself the grace to find a new planning app if needed. It’s easy to feel like you’re stuck with one app, but that doesn’t need to be the case! If something doesn’t work for you anymore, try something new!

bonus: my favourite weekly planning app

Allow me to quickly shout out my favourite tool: Forzeit. This is a weekly planner that I believe has it all. It has emojis to allow you to mark similar tasks. It has templates you can use so that you don’t need to set your week up from scratch, and it also syncs with your calendar. 

You can move tasks around, use various shortcuts to mark them as done or partially done and have task lists to help you focus on what your next priorities are. If this sounds good and you want to give it a try, click here to sign up for Forzeit.

final words

If you are considering switching to an app to do your weekly planning but feel overwhelmed by the choices, I hope that this post made it easier for you to select one that works for you!

Essential Weekly Planning Tools and Strategies to Help You Master Your Week

Max Sinclair on 21/05/2024

In today’s busy world, proper time management is even more important than it ever was. The issue, however, is that most people don’t know how to actually implement the proper time management strategies. 

I’m a bit obsessed with weekly planning – so much so that I created my own weekly planning app slash weekly schedule planner, called Forzeit – so I’ve tried all the tips and tricks, and gathered my favourite ones here to share with you today. Of course, everyone’s life is different, so their planning needs will be different. Feel free to take what resonates with you and leave the rest, and adapt as needed!

1. a calendar

Having a calendar is essential to help you keep track of certain things like birthdays, appointments, and other time-related things such as due dates or bills. If you have a calendar, you can easily glance at it at the beginning of each week to see what you have planned. You can then transfer these events from your calendar or monthly planner to your weekly planner. 

Some people love having a physical monthly planner like a whiteboard or paper calendar stuck to their fridge so that they see it every day, and others love digital planners like Google Calendar that sync across their devices. Try both and see what works for you!

2. ongoing task lists

If you have a thought like “I need to remember to do this”, don’t actually rely on yourself to remember it. You won’t. You think you will, but you won’t. Instead, make sure to write it down. Keep a to-do list of everything that needs to be done, and have a look at it each week to pick some essential tasks and write them down in your weekly planner. 

3. an actual planner

I’ve mentioned a weekly planner a few times now, and of course, this is a key element when it comes to effectively planning your weeks. There are thousands of weekly planners out there, from a paper planner to a digital one, catering for all your needs. Whether you need a small box to write important events, or a two-page daily spread to help you write down dozens of tasks, you’re bound to find one for you.

If you like being creative in your planning, look at paper planners that you can decorate with planner stickers, and if you prefer structure and simplicity, maybe opt for a digital planner!

4. templates

I’ve made a post before about the importance of having templates when it comes to your weekly planning. They help you save time and effort on your weekly planning, and also help you ensure that you don’t forget any important weekly tasks. Of course, templates are much easier when you do digital planning.

5. collaborative tools

If you work in a team, whether in a professional setting or at home with a spouse, having synced tools for collaboration can ensure smooth sailing. Sending digital calendar invites to all necessary members for meetings will help make sure that everyone knows when they are expected and where in both your professional and personal life. 

Shared calendars between parents can help them coordinate things like school pickups or even grocery shopping. Of course, this isn’t really possible with a paper weekly planner, so you need to figure out if this is important to you.

6. time block

Time blocking has also become quite popular in recent years, and if you are someone who struggles to focus and get things done, assigning a particular task to a specific time of day can help you stick to a schedule. Do be sure to allow some flexibility with this though, as some tasks may take longer than planned. 

That being said, most weekly planners come with some time-related element, so feel free to use this to visually plan your weekly tasks based on how long they will likely take you.

final words

If you weren’t convinced about how passionate I am about weekly planning, I hope this post convinced you, and I also hope that it gave you some insight into how you can organise your own week using tools to make organisation easier. 

Of course, planning differs for everyone, so don’t get stuck in a rut. If your planning strategy isn’t working for you, try something new! And if you are in the market for a new planner, may I suggest trying Forzeit?

Simplify Your Life: A Guide to Using the Simplest Weekly Planner

Max Sinclair on 15/05/2024

Weekly planning is something we all do in some capacity. Some of us have a detailed to-do list with time-blocking, others prefer jotting stuff down in their notes app, and others may try to simply remember everything they have planned for the week. 

Regardless of where you fall, I’d recommend having a consistent and effective weekly planner in your life. In the fast-paced world we live in, where we’re juggling numerous professional and personal responsibilities, having some structure and guidance is the key to keeping track of everything.

Otherwise, some tasks may get lost in the chaos. So, if you’re not sure whether or not to jump on the weekly planner bandwagon, you’ve come to the right place.

Why use a weekly planner?

If you’re a go-with-the-flow person, you may be wondering why exactly you should even bother with a weekly planner. Maybe planning just isn’t for you, right? Well, I’m a firm believer that a weekly planner can benefit everyone, and here’s how:

  • Organisation: you need to manage things that are set in stone, like appointments and meetings, and then figure out how to effectively use the rest of your time. A weekly planner helps you to do this.
  • Prioritisation: if you don’t have somewhere concrete to write down your plans for the week, you will likely just do tasks and duties as you remember them, which could lead to you forgetting about important deadlines and to-dos. A weekly planner can help you keep track of your top priorities on both a daily and weekly basis, so that even if you don’t get to everything you want to do, the important stuff gets done. 
  • Time management: the more you plan, the more you will learn about how long certain tasks actually take you. You can then use this information to plan your weeks more effectively in the future. 
  • Reduced stress: if you’re constantly frazzled and stressed, having a weekly planner can help. By taking your list of tasks out of your brain and putting it to paper, you free up some valuable mental headspace, and you don’t need to worry about what’s next – because it’s already in your planner. 

choosing the right planner

There are thousands of planners out there, and just as many planning strategies. And while everyone will have different needs that impact which planner they select, there are a few key things that you should look out for:

  • The layout: your planner should be functional and easy to read and understand, with clear blocks for different days. 
  • Size: if you use a physical planner, choose something small enough to pop in your work bag or handbag. Bulky planners aren’t fun! Alternatively, consider using a digital planner (but we’ll get to that later!)
  • Durability: the idea behind your planner is that you will use it every day, so it needs to hold up. If it’s flimsy, it won’t last very long. Make sure you have a sturdy cover and high-quality paper. 

digital vs paper?

The digital versus paper debate has infiltrated nearly every aspect of our lives, including planning. While there are certainly upsides to having a physical planner, more and more folks are switching over to digital methods of planning, and here’s why . . .

  • It’s space-efficient: you already have your phone or laptop with you wherever you go, so there’s no need to bring an extra planner or worry about forgetting your planner at home. 
  • Accessibility: digital planners can be synced across multiple platforms to ensure that you can always access your plans, no matter where you are. 
  • Cost-efficient: there are many free digital planners out there, but even if you do use a paid one, it’s often much cheaper than buying a physical planner, which helps you save money!
  • Eco-friendliness: opting for digital planners over paper planners can drastically reduce your paper usage. 
  • It’s adaptable: life changes! If you have written something on paper, it’s not really possible to move it, which can lead to your planner looking disorganised and confusing. Digital planners don’t have that issue. You can edit, delete, or move things as you please. 

my planner of choice

Here’s where the plot twist comes in: this is all a sales pitch. Okay, I’m kidding (sort of). Don’t click off yet, though! I truly do love planning, and I’ve seen firsthand the effect it’s had on my life. I’m passionate about helping people learn how to plan their week in a way that works for them.

That being said, in my journey to becoming a planning connoisseur, I’ve used countless weekly planning apps, and found them all to be lacking. So I did what any normal human would – I made my own.

Say hello to Forzeit, an intuitive digital planner that makes planning quick, easy, and fun. It has templates so that you don’t need to type out the same five tasks each week. It has emojis because they make life fun and they also allow you to categorise your tasks. It asks you questions like “Why did you not complete this task?” so that you can plan more effectively. 

And the great news is that you can sign up to try it out for yourself! Click this link to give Forzeit a shot.

How to effectively use a planner

Okay, sales pitch over. Once you’ve decided which planner to use (fingers crossed that it’s Forzeit), you need to actually use it. Your week isn’t going to plan itself! Here are my top tips:

  • Set time aside for planning: you need to dedicate time to planning your week. In fact, I’d say you should write this down in your weekly planner to make sure you prioritise it!
  • Write down everything . . . and I do mean everything. Yes, big stuff like meetings should be noted down, but you should also always jot down the small stuff like responding to your email, or fixing that leaky faucet. Don’t assume you’ll remember it because you won’t. 
  • Do regular reviews: are there some tasks you never do? Do you over-plan your weeks? Are some days busier than others? Make sure to carve out regular time for reflection on your past week so that you know which changes to make going forward. 
  • Celebrate your successes: finally, make sure to celebrate the tasks that you do get done! I like to write down some “wins from the past week” whenever I enter a new week, to keep me motivated. 

final words

Planning can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re new to it, and there’s so much conflicting information out there. Hopefully, this post gave you someplace to start and got your creative juices flowing when it comes to planning!

However, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all planner out there – everyone has different needs, and they need to find a planner that meets those needs. And, of course, you also need to find your own way of using that planner. So, don’t be afraid to experiment and change things to suit your life.



Maximising Your Time: Overcoming Overplanning for Optimal Productivity

Max Sinclair on 09/04/2024

Can we start with a round of applause for that stellar title? Alliteration for the win! Anyway, now that I’ve boosted my ego, it’s time to talk about something that’s really been on my mind lately: overplanning. 

If you don’t know by now, I’m on a quest to make the most of my time and help others do the same. And two things that I’ve found to hinder the process are:

  1. Not using templates
  2. Overplanning

I spoke about templates in another blog post, so you can give that a read here. Today, though, I want to tackle the second problem: overplanning. I also have a video about this, if you’d prefer to watch that.

What is overplanning?

Let’s start by defining what overplanning is. It’s pretty self-explanatory; it’s when you plan too much. When there are too many tasks in your week, despite only having a finite number of hours to get them done.

How do you know you're overplanning?

If you’re awkwardly trying to convince yourself that this blog isn’t talking to you, you’re probably overplanning. But let’s face it – we all over plan to some extent. 

Do you struggle to stick to your weekly schedule? Do you constantly move things from one day to the next? Yeah? Me too.

It’s hard to balance ambitions with the reality of your daily life. I get that you want to do all those tasks, but that doesn’t mean you actually can. That’s why this post aims to help you stop overplanning.

The pitfalls of overplanning

So, why exactly is overplanning a bad thing? I mean, if you don’t get everything done, you can just do it later, right?

WRONG. 

If you’re an ambitious person hoping to achieve a lot in life, it’s so easy to fall into this trap. There’s something exciting about a jam-packed schedule filled with productive tasks. 

But in the end, if you over plan, something is going to get neglected. Maybe you never have time for morning meditation. Or you keep cancelling on your friends. Or skipping meals. Or not getting enough sleep. 

Basically, if you keep overplanning, you will burn out. And you will feel like a failure (which is arguably the worst thing possible that can happen to an overachiever.) 

the need for feedback

Hi. My name is Max. And I’m an overplanner. They say that the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem, right? Well, my problem is thinking that I’m superhuman and can somehow fit one hundred hours of work into one day. Spoiler alert: I’m not, and I can’t.

That’s where feedback comes in. I created a planning tool, called Forzeit. And it’s honestly much more than just a planning tool. It aims to help you break this cycle of overplanning by gathering feedback on your time management issues. I get that feedback can be scary. Analysis paralysis and all that. But it’s a key to helping you stop overplanning. 

You can track progress, see where you succeeded and where you failed, and most importantly, figure out why you failed. In this way, you can optimise your time even better. Feedback is, in my opinion, the most important thing when it comes to time planning, and the more you do it, the easier it will be to overcome the dreaded analysis paralysis.

a closer look at forzeit

As mentioned, I am the creator of Forzeit, so I obviously want to highlight it a bit. Can you blame me?! I’m like a proud parent, wanting to brag with their child. 

So, what does Forzeit have to offer?

  1. You can set goals for different timelines.
  2. You can create weekly templates.
  3. You can mark off tasks as completed, partially completed, or not completed.
  4. You can select why you didn’t complete a task.

This feedback loop helps you figure out how effective you truly are at time management, and how you can improve. Plus, it takes a few minutes, rather than a few hours, because it does so much work for you. It’s the gateway to creating the perfect plan. 

so, how can we avoid overplanning?

Now that you know about overplanning and why it’s the biggest obstacle when it comes to your planning, it’s time to kick this problem to the curb, and here’s how.

1. turn data into action

So, you’ve admitted you have a problem with over-planning. Welcome to the club, by the way. And now you know that feedback can help you overcome this problem. But what’s the next step?

I’m mentioning Forzeit again because I haven’t found another tool that does this quite as effectively (hence why I built my own). Forzeit calculates your execution rate. It shows you what percentage of tasks you did versus didn’t do, as well as why. 

This can help you figure out whether your progress is being hindered by over-planning, lack of motivation, or other factors.

2. start improving

Once you have the knowledge of why you are struggling with certain things, it’s much easier to make informed decisions to refine your schedule. If you always run out of time, reassess your priorities by removing non-essential tasks, or breaking tasks down into smaller chunks.

3. be honest

We are all limited. By time, by resources, by money, by our own capabilities. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s the truth. And being honest with yourself will help you realise your limitations and do your planning with that in mind.

Make your decisions based on real data, rather than an idealistic version of yourself and your week.

Conclusion

Overcoming overplanning is a struggle most of us face in some way, and while it may seem like a small thing, being able to plan your week in a balanced and realistic way will remove a lot of stress and increase your chances of succeeding at your goals. 

Give it a try, and if you’re looking for a tool to help, why not consider Forzeit? You can sign up to try it here. 

Weekly Planning Tips to Help You Execute on Your Week Better: The Power of Templating

Max Sinclair on 03/04/2024

For most of us, time management is a far-fetched goal, rather than a reality. We’re juggling a million balls – and all of them are made of glass. 

I’m a bit obsessed with time management (so much so that I started my own intuitive planner, Forzeit), and I think I’ve cracked the code to successful time management: templates. I made a video about how I use templates to plan my entire week – from my to-do list to my weekly plans and important tasks, and I want to share that with you as well. 

Because let’s face it: most of us don’t have the time to spend hours planning every detail of our weeks every Monday morning.

The plannning conundrum

There are two major issues that hinder time management: planning taking too long, and overplanning. I want to focus on the first issue today. But keep an eye out, because I’ll have a post on how to help you avoid scheduling too many tasks soon!

We all know that planning is the key to success, but the truth is that it’s simply not a priority. I get it! When you have a business and a family and a life, your precious free time is most likely not spent planning. Which means most of us end up with a subpar weekly schedule. 

Well, whoever said you can’t have your cake and eat it too was wrong, because you can! At least, you can if having your cake means saving time and eating it too means still having a good weekly schedule.

the superhero: templates

This is where templates come in. Most of us have a lot of recurring events that carry on from week to week. That annoying Monday meeting, your child’s soccer practice, your grocery shopping day, your meal planning, your yoga session . . . you get it.

So, instead of writing or typing these things in your weekly schedule time and time again, why not have a template that allows you to simply add these repeatable tasks and take the effort out of it? 

You can still have a to-do list that changes depending on what you need to do on a specific day or week, but your weekly tasks will already be scheduled in your upcoming week thanks to your template.

here's how it works

  1. Identify repeatable elements: Figure out which tasks repeat each day or on the same day each week. Prioritise tasks that recur every week. 
  2. Create your template: use whatever tool or weekly planning app you like to create a template based on these elements (I, of course, recommend Forzeit, but I might be slightly biased). Think of these templates as frameworks so that you don’t need to start your weeks from scratch every time. 
  3. Integrate calendar events: Forzeit allows you to integrate your calendar event with your template, but if your templating app isn’t as cool as that, simply manually add these in to ensure you have the full picture. 
  4. Iterate and optimise: your life isn’t static, so your template shouldn’t be either. Make sure to regularly check in to see where you can finetune your template. Look at your past week, and think of ways to effectively plan your week ahead.

benefits beyond saving time

If the idea of saving heaps of time isn’t enough to convince you to use templates in your weekly planning, there are a few other things that might bring you over to my side.

  1. Improved focus: if you have a template, you can spend more time doing what actually matters instead of trying to set up a weekly plan. 
  2. Consistency: you’re much more likely to stick to new habits if you have them in your templates! They’ll form part of daily planning and weekly routine. 
  3. Adaptability: your template is a base. You don’t need to follow it to a T. If you have a week that’s very different from the norm, remove the parts of your template that aren’t relevant for that week and get back to your normal weekly routine the following week. 

in conclusion

Templates are life-changing when it comes to planning, and I for one don’t know why more people don’t utilise them! 

Seriously, if you haven’t already tried it, please do. If it doesn’t work for you, that’s fine, but I’m willing to bet you’re going to wish you’d discovered this method of planning much sooner! It will help you complete tasks effectively, set achievable weekly goals, and balance your professional and personal life. 

Mastering Goal Setting That Works: A Practical Guide to Achieving Your Dreams

Max Sinclair on 12/03/2024

If you’ve read some blog posts of mine or watched any of my YouTube videos, you will know that I am a big fan of goal setting, time management, and all the good things that come along with that. I believe in setting attainable goals, and then figuring out systems that help with achieving goals. 

Setting goals helps give you direction and structure and helps you avoid floating through life with no aim. I’ve spent hours on goal setting, so I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert in this field, and today, I want to share some tips to help you not only set goals but actually achieve them. These tips can help you achieve goals in all areas of your life – whether they be personal or professional goals.

The common misconception

Let’s address the elephant in the room: you can’t just write a dream down on a piece of paper and hope for the best. That’s wishful thinking, not goal setting. 

Instead, if you plan on setting goals, you need to have a roadmap that gives you tangible steps that you can take to reach your end goal. We all know about the frantic rush to come up with some New Year’s resolutions only to have them fly out of the window by February. That’s because an idea is not a goal.

SMART goals

You’ve probably heard about SMART goals. These are the things that have been said to make a goal “good”. A SMART goal is:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-based

. . . Or smartER goals?

But why stop there?! Sure, having things like measurable goals will give you a starting point for your goals, but I like to add my own two things in my goal-setting process that take goals from being SMART to SMARTER. Those are: 

  • Emotion
  • Reviews

Emotion

Your goals need to make you feel something. We’re all more likely to actually feel moved to do something if there’s some type of emotional attachment. If you want to be making progress in your personal and professional development, you need to set achievable goals that also ignite your emotions. Let’s take one of my past goals. 

If I wanted to write the goal, it would look something like this: lose weight. Sure, that’s a goal. But after careful consideration, I realised that it wasn’t a goal that I cared about. And it’s hard to complete goals when you don’t care about them. 

But do you know what’s a better goal? I want to be sculpted like a Greek god. I want a six-pack that turns heads. See the difference? Injecting some emotion makes me feel excited about the goal.

Review

Hopefully, you now know how to accurately set goals. But that’s only the start. The other thing that you need to do is to regularly review and reassess your goals. In my experience, this is the area where a lot of people fall short. 

You need to stay accountable. You need to make sure that your goals are still serving you. Think of your goals as living, breathing entities that require attention and nurturing. You need to keep track of your current goals to help you with your future goals.

Let's talk structure

I think a big reason why people fail at their goals is that they get overwhelmed. If you’ve never run a day in your life, the idea of running a 10k is probably enough to make you curl up in a ball and cry. 

You know what they say about eating an elephant: you go one bite at a time. Your goals are the same. Split them into easily digestible, bite-sized chunks!

I advocate for structuring your goals like this:

  • Yearly 
  • Quarterly
  • Monthly 
  • Weekly 

This hierarchical structure helps you focus on short-term wins while still keeping sight of the bigger picture. It breaks your goals down into actionable steps that you can accomplish. Plus, it’s time-bound, which helps with motivation.

Track your goals

The human mind is great, but it does have a limited capacity for memory. Sure, you may think that you’re going to remember your goals, but that valuable memory real estate will soon be taken over by thoughts of work, your newest obsession on Netflix, and when you can go on holiday again. Balancing career goals, personal goals, and other goals can be a lot. 

Therefore, you need an external system to track your goals. While good old pen and paper will do the trick, there’s no denying that technology has changed the game. I personally use Forzeit to keep track of my goals. It has an intuitive organisational and tracking experience across different platforms. 

It has automated reminders, progress trackers, and more. It’s essentially your personal goal-setting assistant. 

In conclusion

Goal setting can truly transform your life. Sounds crazy, but it’s true. The big thing is simply to realise how to set goals that align with the life you want, and that you can actually achieve. 

It’s not just about ticking the goal off, but also about the journey. Okay, I’m done with the cliches now. I’m logging off to set some goals, and I hope you do the same!