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All About Planners

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June 1, 2018

Planning Tips: 10 Ways to Plan Your Week Faster

We’re all short on time so here are 10 ways to speed up the weekly planning process (while still keeping your planning looking cute!)

10 Ways to Plan Faster

1.Use Planner Stickers

Header stickers, checklists, habit trackers and icon stickers are my favorite stickers for planning. Rather than wasting time re-writing the same tasks over and over each week (and especially if the task is not a regular occurrence), use an icon sticker you associate with something e.g. a computer icon sticker as a reminder to back up files on your computer.

If you use a bullet journal, save time by using stickers for days of the week and header stickers for lists rather than re- writing the same stuff out week after week.

Rather than re-writing your same weekly tasks, icon stickers are ideal for habit tracking e.g. cleaning icons.

>>> Learn how to make your own planner stickers with my free email course!

Related: Week 8: Weekly Planning using the Plum Paper Memory Keeper Book 

using a plum paper memory keepers book for weekly planner 1 page weekly spread planenr sticker minimalist simple planning ideas inspiration-min

Related: My weekly blog planning process (how I organize and plan for the week ahead every Sunday) 

2. Use Planner Stamps & Stencils

There are a plethora of planner stamps available these days but if you want to speed up the planning process make sure you choose self-inking stamps. These have no mess, are cheaper and you don’t need an acrylic block to stick the stamp onto. I also find the placement of where I want the stamp to go to be more accurate. 

My personal favorites are the MAMBI checklist and icon stamps and if you’re a perfectionist and like to keep your planner neat – the Frixion erasable stamps come in lots of different icons. I use the heart and star for checklists, the cutlery for meal planning and the cake for birthdays.

planner stamps review self inking planner stamp frixion erasable stamp mambi me and my big ideas minimalist simple weekly planning style layout ideas diy inspiration-min

I used planner stamps in week 23  of the 52 Planners in 52 Weeks Challenge when I tried the Limelife Planner – it made the week very quick and easy to set up!

how to use limelife planner layout c review tips ideas inspiration planning tips diy color coding weekly spread ideas colorful-min

Stencils also speed up planning – this stencil is from my sister’s planner supplies shop.

planner stencil using codes to plan your day minimalist planning color coding bullet journaling simple weekly spread plan with me essential planner supplies-min

3. Planner coding

A few ways to code your planner:

  • Symbols for different things
  • Categorizing tasks by person (and giving each person a number,)
  • Writing abbreviations to save time – especially for recurring tasks e.g. MP for meal plan, CB for clean bathroom etc.

using symbols for planning color coding planner key ideas list making bullet journaling planning inspiration ideas organization legend

If you’re a fellow list lover, coding different types of lists using symbols rather than different colored pens saves a ton of time!

bullet journal list ideas inspiration layout tips tricks hacks organized to do list color coding symbol

I shared more tips for coding: Using a planner key and symbols to code your planner (efficient planning methods)

how to choose symbols for your planner key legend bullet journal ideas inspiration bujo color coding system method

4. Use a dry erase insert or sticky note 

List inserts and sticky notes are ideal for routine tasks so don’t have to keep re-writing them out all the time. Just note them down then move the list from week to week in your planner.  

Small whiteboard markers are ideal for this and can usually be found in discount stores – the ones in the picture below are from Daiso. 

Related: Free printable planner insert (for to do lists, grocery lists, weekly routine tasks etc.)

free printable planner insert list making dashboard dry erase planner accessories rainbow to do list checklist

Sticky notes are ideal for:

  • Meal planning
  • Recurring tasks such as cleaning, bills, reminders to backup computer files
  • Things that are prone to changing
  • For time blocking e.g. small sticky note represents 30 minutes, a large sticky note represents 1 hour
  • Homework, assignments and study prep for exams
  • Tentative appointments

Because sticky notes come in so many pretty colors they’re also perfect for color coding.

Related: How to organize and color code your notes for school, college or university 

I love sticky notes so much that I planned an entire week using only sticky notes!

how to use sticky notes for weekly planning spread ideas plan with me color coding recurring tasks bill blog post content planning post it note creative inspiration

Tip: Keep a recipe bank of meal ideas on small sticky notes so you don’t have to re-write them out all the time (these are Post it Note 3M – bit pricey but highly recommend as they’re super sticky!)

Related: Quick and easy weekly meal planning using sticky notes 

how to meal plan quickly using sticky notes color coded meal planning favorite meals tip menu planning organizing household binder

5. Washi tape

Washi tape for things that extend over certain days such as vacations – washi is ideal for vertical planners and monthly calendars.

Rather than writing the same stuff out again and again just use some washi tape. Since washi comes in so many colors and patterns you can relate a pattern or color to a certain task e.g. orange chevron washi = cleaning – you won’t have to re-write the same tasks over and over again, just peel the washi and restick!

In a rush and don’t have time to set up a fancy spread? Grab some washi, create some columns and you’re ready to plan!

Related: Colorful Bullet Journal Inspired Weekly Spread (Week 33 of the 52 Planners in 52 Weeks Challenge)

bullet journal ideas weekly spread colorful blogging habit tracker ideas tasks urgent washi tape rainbow triplus pen sakura rainbow diy bujo inspired ideas

You can also get washi tape with the checkboxes already printed on the tape <3 (my sister stocks this washi in her planner supplies shop)

planner decorating using washi tape checklist functional decorating ideas for planning cheap hack diy essential newbie

6. Use highlighters instead of colored pens

If you love color coding your planner as much as I do, it is must faster to write all your tasks in black pen and the use highlighters to color code. Highlighters are faster to color code with than remembering to switch pens – they’re cheaper too! 

Related: 6 Ways to color code your planner to increase productivity

how to color code your to do list planning by time priority using highlighters time management productivity efficient plan with me weekly planning process

7. Use a printable 

Click here to access the free printables libary. 

Printables can be resized from full page size to A5, half letter, 7 x 9″ (Erin Condren and Plum Paper size) etc. See this post for detailed printing tips and instructions!

subscribe to allaboutthehouse blog to recieve access to free printables library

Checklist printables and pages you refer to frequently such as meal planning pages are well-suited to printable format.

Some useful pages to consider are:

  • Cleaning checklists 
  • Meal planners
  • Grocery lists
  • To do lists
  • Packing lists
  • Habit trackers

free printable habit tracker routine checklist planner printable how to use a bullet journal color code inspiration ideas

8. Dry Erase

If there’s a printable checklist, meal planner etc. you use over and over again, place a clear binding cover (or a piece of laminate works too), over the top of the page and use a whiteboard marker. That way you don’t need to keep re-printing fresh copies of printables, just wipe the laminate clean with a tissue. 

My favorite place to find small whiteboard markers is Daiso. Kmart also have packs with nice rainbow colors! <3

9. Bookmark your planner

Add a strip of washi to the edge of the page or cut the corner of the page off of the current week or use a butterfly clip so you can hold your place 

how to set up your planner for a new week bujo bullet journal color coding ideas habit tracker vertical hourly weekly planner pad review

Week 34:  Review of the Planner Pad Weekly Planner 

plum paper me planner blog planner student school color coding inspiration pens versus highlighters diy spread bookmark-min

Use an insert and line up the holes so that the top extends slightly above the top of the rest of the pages in the planner is a functional way to bookmark your place!

DIY page marker bookmark free printable checklist page marker organizing planner accessory rainbow neutral

10. Use erasable pens & highlighters

If you’re a perfectionist like me, enough mistakes and you’ll just turn to a fresh page and start again. To avoid this, try the Frixion erasable pens and erasable highlighters. Smiggle and Typo also make some nice erasable highlighters. You’ll also save time not having to white things out, and if you use liquid whitout (which I don’t recommend – use tape!) you won’t have to wait for it to dry. 

Rather than free-handing – use a Ruler or washi tape to divide up the page and keep it neat.

pilot frixion ball erasable pens rainbow color coding favorite planning supplies stationery light green dark green no smear medium fine tip

More planning tips:

  • Planning using the daily plan bar method (bullet journal inspired) 
  • How to do color coded weekly meal planning in less than 5 minutes using sticky notes
  • Best paper planners if you have large handwriting (and planners you should avoid) 

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10 ways to plan your week faster tips ideas weekly spread inspiration layout favorite planning supplies resources color coding all about planners

how to plan faster efficient weekly planning how to use your planner effectively daily weekly agenda diary organizer tips diy

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Posted In: Planning Tips & Inspiration · Tagged: bullet journal, bullet journal ideas, bullet journal tips, effective planning techniques, fast weekly planning, favorite planner, first time using a planner, how to get the most out of your diary, how to plan effectively, how to plan with an agenda, how to use a planner, meal planning tips, planner addict, planner blog, planner ideas, planner inspiration, planner life, planner newbie, planner spread, planner tips, planner tools, planning inspiration, planning tips, productive planner, proper planning methods, quick planning methods, quick weekly planning, starting a planner, tips for planning, using a planner, using a planner for the first time, weekly planner ideas

Comments

  1. KL says

    June 2, 2018 at 04:17

    Hey Rachael! I bought the MAMBI checklist and icon stamps and mine are not* self-inking. Did MAMBI perhaps change the way the stamps are made or did I get a bum set? I have to use stamp pads with all 6 of them which makes me wonder if they are manufactured different. If it was just one or two, then I could think they were dry. Any thoughts? I’ve had them about a month now so I doubt I could return them to the store.

    • Rachael says

      June 2, 2018 at 13:21

      Hi, that’s odd. Mine are the self-inking ones I linked in the post: http://carefullycrafted.com.au/create-365-me-and-my-big-ideas-happy-planner-stackable-icon-checklist-stamp/ it came with a checklist stamp and 6 small stamps with icons: exclamation mark, heart, asterisk, thumbs up, checkbox and a star. All are self-inking. I’ve had them for about a year and they’re still working fine. My sister stocks them in her shop and hasn’t had any feedback from customers about them drying out – maybe you did get a dud pack :/ Make sure you always keep the lids on them to stop them from drying out.

      • KL says

        June 3, 2018 at 01:47

        My set did not contain the checklist stamp, only the 6 small ones you mentioned. They were dry from the moment I opened the package. Because I then assumed they were not self inking, I’ve been very careful to match the stamp pad color I use with them to the color on the stamp itself. I hope that makes sense. And I’ve been putting lids back on as soon as possible.
        My guess from what you’ve said now, is they were duds or old in the store.
        Thank you for your input!

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