Does using a planner really make you more productive?
It’s a great question, and the short answer is yes. Yes, your planner can help you become more organized, more productive, and even get more done. But let’s be honest—for many people, this just isn’t happening. Why? Because it all comes down to the system your planner provides.
A planner is more than just a place to write down your to-do list or schedule appointments. At its best, a planner gives you a system or process to manage your time, tasks, and goals effectively. Unfortunately, most planners on the market don’t offer a great system—and that’s where the problem lies. Let’s break this down.
The Problem with Typical Planners
Think about the planners you’ll find at Target or your local office supply store. Most of them include:
- A few mini calendar pages at the beginning for reference.
- Monthly spreads with boxes big enough for reminders or appointments.
- Weekly agenda pages where you can list a handful of tasks per day.
- A few notes pages or maybe a contact list tucked in the back.
Sound familiar? Now ask yourself: what system or process is this type of planner encouraging you to follow when you use it?
From what I’ve seen—and I’ve researched and designed systems as a core part of my business—this type of planner guides you to take two main actions:
- Write down important dates on your calendar.
- List out your daily to-do list.
These are certainly useful steps, but they’re just the basics. A system like this leaves out solutions for crucial productivity challenges:
- Prioritizing tasks: Without a way to decide what matters most, you’re stuck trying to tackle an endless to-do list with no plan.
- Brainstorming raw ideas: There’s no space to develop ideas or refine solutions.
- Organizing projects strategically: You’re left wondering which tasks belong together or how to approach bigger objectives.
- Distributing goals over time: You may feel pressure to do everything all at once, leading to burnout.
- Building routines: These planners don’t help you manage your time beyond the limits of a single day.
The result? A planner that solves a few basic problems but leaves much to be desired when it comes to supporting your productivity in a meaningful way.
Introducing the Charmed Life Master Planner
When I noticed these gaps, I knew there had to be a better way. That’s why, in 2014, I began developing the Charmed Life Master Planner. This isn’t just another planner—it’s the first Functional Planner, designed to bridge the gap between a typical planner and a fully supportive productivity system.
Unlike standard planners, the Charmed Life Master Planner is built around a three-phase system that turns ideas into actionable plans, helping you balance your time and workload while staying focused on your goals. With over a dozen unique inserts, this system was designed to make planning smarter, not harder.
Overview of the Three-Phase System
Phase 1: Capture Brilliant Ideas
The first phase helps you clear your mind, prioritize tasks, and organize raw ideas into plans. The tools include:
- Brain Dump Inserts: Write down everything on your mind, then prioritize tasks by urgency and importance. This helps you cut down an overwhelming list into a manageable size.
- Brainstorm Pages: Dedicated space for pre-planning and mind mapping, allowing you to refine ideas into actionable solutions.
- Notes Pages: A convenient place to capture extra details and reference information, all within your planner.
Phase 2: Organize Your Work
Once you’ve captured your ideas, the next step is to organize and strategize your goals and projects. Tools include:
- Yearly Project Matrix: Distribute your objectives across short-term, mid-term, and long-term timeframes so you’re working methodically throughout the year.
- Project Tracker: Track all your projects and their statuses at a glance.
- Project Plans with Notes: Clarify goals, outline resources, and create strategic action steps for each project.
Phase 3: Track and Allocate Your Time
In the final phase, you track your progress and manage your time effectively. Tools include:
- Yearly Calendar, Tracker, and Overview: Plan your year with clarity and forward-plan key dates and milestones.
- Monthly Calendars and Task Lists: Keep your schedule and tasks organized at a monthly level.
- Weekly and Daily Agenda Spreads: Manage your time and stay focused on your priorities day by day.
- Routines and Vision Board Pages: Build consistent routines and keep your goals front of mind for motivation.
Why This System Works
The Charmed Life Master Planner isn’t just about tracking tasks—it’s about creating a process that makes productivity achievable. Here’s what makes it different:
- It prioritizes effectively: Helps you focus on what matters most.
- It strategizes intentionally: Aligns your daily actions with long-term goals.
- It balances workloads: Distributes tasks across time to prevent overwhelm.
- It builds habits: Supports routines that create sustainable productivity.
- It works smarter, not harder: Backed by research to ensure every feature serves a purpose.
Ready to Transform Your Productivity?
So, does using a planner really make you more productive? Yes—but only if it provides the right system. The Charmed Life Master Planner is your partner in achieving more with less stress, helping you turn your ideas into action and your goals into reality.
If you’re ready to use a planner that will finally improve your productivity, it begins here.
Or you can get the whole system as your free bonus with this option.
Start planning smarter today. Your most productive year is waiting!
xoxo,
