I’ve Tried Every Planner. Here’s What Actually Worked.
I’ve bought all the planners.
The pretty ones.
The minimalist ones.
The ones with tabs, stickers, daily affirmations, and monthly check-ins.
I even made a Bujo once… okay, “made” might be generous. I started a Bujo. Never finished it. 😅
If you’ve ever stared at a blank planner page feeling like a failure, wondering why you can’t just get it together, I see you.
I was you. Honestly, sometimes I still am.
But here’s what I finally figured out:
The problem isn’t your planner. It’s that your brain doesn’t want the same thing every week.
Planning Isn't One-Size-Fits-All (Especially When You’re Overloaded)
Some days, I crave structure. Time blocks. Color-coded boxes. A solid plan.
Other days, I need chaos containment. Sticky notes everywhere. Loose structure. Minimal pressure.
And then there are days when the only thing I can manage is cleaning one damn surface and setting a 15-minute timer.
If that sounds like you, I promise: you’re not doing it wrong. Your brain just works differently. And your tools need to match your energy—not the other way around.
So What Actually Works? Here’s My System(s):
I don’t have one perfect planner. I have three go-to tools I rotate through, depending on how I’m feeling and what I need:
1. The Spark Planner
For those magical days when I’m feeling focused and in flow. This one gives me structure without micromanaging my brain. Great for project mapping, batching, and weekly rhythm planning.
2. The Sticky Note Dashboard
When I need fast, messy, no-pressure action. I brain dump onto sticky notes, move them around, and tackle them one at a time. It feels chaotic, but it works. Especially on “everything is on fire” days.
3. The 15-Minute Reset
This one’s my lifeline when I’m in the weeds. It’s not about planning—it’s about resetting my energy and focus so I can even begin to think about a plan. It clears the mental clutter fast and gives me the tiniest spark of momentum to move again.
What Works for My Clients? Even More Simplicity.
Some of my clients thrive with tools like:
A dry-erase board set up in a way that works for THEIR brain
Index cards with one task per card—pull one, do it, move on
A blank notebook where they write three intentions for the day, and call it good
None of these are “fancy.”
All of them are functional.
Because the best planner is the one you’ll actually use.
Want to Try It?
If you’ve been stuck in the guilt-loop of starting and abandoning new planners, try this instead:
✔ Make a mini menu of 2–3 tools or layouts you enjoy
✔ Keep them visible and ready (print them, pin them, make a shortcut on your phone)
✔ Choose what fits your day—no guilt if it’s different than yesterday
You don’t need consistency.
You need engagement.
You need systems that flex with you.
Your Next Step: Try the 15-Minute Reset
If you want to see the tool I return to every single time I fall off track?
It’s my 15-Minute Reset—and it’s totally free.
Just 15 minutes to help you calm the chaos, clear the fog, and actually start moving again.
You’re not flaky. You’re not broken.
You just need a system (or three) that gets you.
And if you ever forget that, come back to this post. Because we’re building systems that work for real people with real brains.
