How to Keep Your Planner Organized

Written by Becky Keeshin

August 16, 2017

With Fall approaching, your schedule can get crazy. You keep a planner and write things down, but you are constantly crossing things out, erasing, or writing things in the wrong places. Here are a few ways you can keep your planner organized and your headspace clear.

1. Keep a binder or paper clip on the right page.

Make opening your planner as easy as possible by marking the right day and week with a binder or paper clip. You will be ever so satisfied when you are able to turn to the exact day you need.

2. Use pencil.

This may be the oldest rule in the organizational book, but it is so true. Every day is a new adventure, and things can constantly change. Being able to erase your markings will help you keep your planner clean and organized. Colored pens and pencils are fun, but if that is not your thing, stick with the old fashion pencil and you will never be disappointed.

3. Color code.

If you prefer using colors, make a system. Assign a color to each category and follow it. Perhaps Blue is for Work, Green for Auditions, Red for Vacation, etc. You can also add symbols with each color too. Green triangles mean rehearsal or a blue circle is work from 9-5. If you choose to use symbols, I recommend creating a key at the top of your planner page so you can decode in case you forget what a symbol represents.

4. Use sticky notes.

There a few ways Sticky Notes can be helpful. You can use sticky note tabs to represent certain events or categories (in the same vein as color coding). Also, using sticky notes as reminders that you instantly tear away can leave you with a feeling of great success and no messy writing!

5. Keep it updated!

As soon as you have something to write down, write it down! That way it will be there when you need it and you won’t have a moment of panic later in the day when you can’t remember what needs to be put in your planner.



Need some advice? We’ve got you covered.

Becky Keeshin is a Chicago-based actor. She is a recent graduate from The Theatre School at DePaul University where she earned her BFA in Acting. When not acting or writing, she enjoys vigorously scrapbooking and playing the ukulele.