In the 257th episode of my Monday Morning Pep Talk, I will share how I use my daily planner as the focal point for my productivity routine each day and week. Despite all the advances in technology -AI, note and calendar apps, and cloud-based CRMs, which I fully embrace - my analog approach to a daily “dress rehearsal” with my planner is what brings all these tools together. This single practice grounds me, aligning my daily actions with my broader goals in a way that digital tools alone can’t replicate. In this episode, I'll give you the reasons why my daily planner is my most important productivity tool.
Before I jump into today’s call, I want to remind you of my professional purpose: to help you, the full-service, full-fee Advisor, optimize your productivity and become the best version of yourself. Why? Because “Happy Advisors Sell More Real Estate.” I do that by teaching you how to handle the challenges and opportunities you face every day. When you can effectively manage the situations that arise daily in your business, you’ll be more productive and live a life that reflects the best version of yourself. My ask is that you listen as if you’re in a one-on-one coaching session with me, either in my office or on a call.
I’ll admit, sometimes I feel a bit sheepish about using a paper planner in an age of digital everything. But it works for me, and I wanted to explore exactly why that is. Writing this Monday Morning Pep Talk gave me a reason to really think it through and even do some research to put my thoughts into a clearer framework. After journaling and formalizing my ideas, I came up with 7 key reasons why this tool remains essential for my productivity:
- Central Point of Focus: My daily planner serves as my central point of focus. I use it to structure and prioritize my daily tasks. If I’m in deep work mode, you’ll find my planner open and in front of me.
- Creates a Sense of Satisfaction from Completion: Why do I get such joy from crossing off finished tasks? Research shows that checking off tasks releases dopamine in the brain, leading to feelings of accomplishment, satisfaction, and motivation. This momentum is critical for me - I get so much more pleasure crossing off a finished task on paper than clicking a box on an app. My daily planner is my productivity dopamine drip.
- A Memorization Tool: Writing down meetings and appointments acts as a memorization tool. This is what I mean by a “dress rehearsal.” Physically writing down my schedule helps me remember it, leading to less confusion and more punctuality. People often comment on my consistency and timeliness, and this is why.
- A Form of Decluttering: Writing in my planner is a powerful form of mental decluttering. Just as I clear physical spaces for focus, organizing my thoughts on paper promotes mental clarity, making me more productive. Writing structures my thoughts, creating a mindfulness exercise that helps me find and maintain clarity.
- Reduces Stress: When I have everything laid out in my planner, I move through my day with a sense of control. Following each step on that day’s page keeps my stress down and guarantees that by day’s end, I’ll feel accomplished. There’s nothing like the satisfaction of pulling out that day’s to-do list and tossing it. That little ritual? That’s my way of self-medicating.
- A Constant Reminder of My Vision: My planner holds my three-year vision and quarterly initiatives. It allows me to quickly review the promises I’ve made to myself; it’s right there in front of me every day.
- Portability and Ease: It’s portable. I don’t have to log into it. It doesn’t need charging. It’s simple and easy to use, and it’s cost-effective. You get the point.
You might be wondering: Jim, which daily planner do you use?
After extensive research, I landed on the TUL planner. In 2021, I probably bought 15-20 different planners, many recommended by various thought leaders, trying to find the perfect one. It wasn’t until I wandered into Office Depot and found the TUL planner that I finally found what I was looking for in a planner. I love that it’s customizable thanks to its disc-binding system, allowing me to easily reorganize and add pages. It has a clean, minimalist layout, which appeals to me. The TUL planner includes monthly and weekly layouts, task lists, goal-setting sections, and ample space for notes. The high-quality paper minimizes bleed-through which makes it a structured yet simple and adaptable tool for my productivity toolbox.
Question for you: Should I create a Take Flight version of a daily planner? It’s been on my mind for years. Maybe, one of these years, I’ll get around to it—the universe keeps nudging me in that direction.
Team, as we approach 2025, it’s time to level up your daily productivity rituals and routines, and that must include some form of daily and weekly planning to maintain your rhythms. I felt it was important to bring mine to you today. As you formalize or recommit to your process, have you seen my Daily Time Management Form? It’s available right here, along with other resources on the Take Flight section of my website.
Team, have an incredible week ahead!
