Organization isn’t about perfection. It’s about efficiency, reducing stress and clutter, saving time and money, and improving your overall quality of life. –Christina Scalise
I know you want to be organized in 2018 because you’re reading this post. I also want to be organized in 2018.
So whether you’re awesome at organization and are looking for the best planners and products out there, or you suck at being organized, arrive (un)fashionably all the time and need help to stay on track, you found the right post.
Let’s dive right in and take a look at the highest rated, best planners and accessories.
Erin Condren Life Planner
One of my favorite planners is the Erin Condren Life Planner. I reviewed it in this post and for the most part I really loved how much room I had to write things in.
The Life Planner worked well because I was juggling a full time job, blogging, and appointments for my kids and grandparents. Plus, it has tons of room for me to write notes.
I used the pages towards the back of the book to make a master list of passwords for bill paying. And I used extra pages at the end of each month to write blogging notes and blogging ideas.
I won’t be buying another Erin Condren planner for 2018. Not because I don’t love it (I really do) but, because my sister bought me a new planner to try out….
Meet the Passion Planner. 
My first impression:
- it’s smaller than the Life Planner. It’ll fit in my purse better!
- has a monthly layout which I love because I need to visually see the entire month all at once
- the week is organized in with time-blocking (which is awesome because that is the way I want to get organized in 2017, by time-blocking)
- there’s a box called: Good Things That Happened yay! I can write my daily gratitude in this box and no need for a journal.
- each week has a quote & a tip to improve your daily life
- there are 2 to-lists on each weekly layout. One for your work and one for your personal life. PERFECT!
- at the end of the month there is a 2 page spread called Monthly Reflections which asks you questions about the previous month and forces you to look at your Passion Roadmap so you can check off any steps you completed that take you closer to your goals.
- the end of the book has blank pages and bullet journal pages to use as you please.
- there’s a pocket at the back of the book
I used the Passion Planner in 2017. I liked the smaller size and that it fit in my purse or work bags. I love the reflection pages and I am excited to use the bullet journaling pages to keep track of blog goals for 2017. I also like how this planner becomes a keepsake. With all that journaling and reflecting throughout the year I can save the planner and look back on my life at the end of the year. **update December, 2017 – I did not use the reflection pages and realize I’d rather not journal in my planner.
PurpleTrail Planner
I added a bill tracker, grid pages and notes section towards the back of the planner. My sister uses an online bill tracking system and I just can’t get the hang of an online system.
I need to see the bills, due date and any notes written down on paper. That’s just the way my brain works, so, I really love that I could include a bill tracker in my new planner.
FEATURES:
- personalized cover
- thick, 80lb paper inside
- you can choose the start month and layout
- durable dividers for each month
- aluminum coil binding
- built for long term use – it feels VERY sturdy.
Best Planner Ever
A daily calendar, planning, and mindset tool supporting your success each day. Created by Jennifer Dawn after the daily system she uses to build 7-figure companies, raise 3 kids, and still have a satisfying personal life!
Let’s take a look at things you’ll need
my favorite pens
These Paper Mate InkJoy pens are my #1
So for me as long as I have good pens and a decent planner I’m good. I can organize my life and move on.
But…some of you need…wait for it…..STICKERS. Why?
I honestly have no idea.
And that’s okay. It’s not all about it me and I get that 😉
So here are some cool stickers I found on Etsy. Some of them are super cute and may make me want to add stickers all up in my planner. IDK, yet though.
**Update–haha I get the sticker thing now!! 🙂
A few more things you may need for your planner
- post it notes
- tabs
- double sided tape (if you want to add pictures in your passion planner)
- highlighters
I think that’s about everything you could possibly need to set up your planner for 2018.
Of course the number one thing you’ll need to be successful with planning is TIME.
Trust me, nothing is worse than grabbing a beautiful planner, awesome supplies and then wasting it all by not paying attention to your planner. I have more than a handful of blank pages in my Life Planner and I want next year to be different!
Let me know what your favorite planner and planning tools are in the comments!
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Great post! Just what I need for the new year! Love Passion Planners! When I used mine last year at work I felt so much more accomplished! and using colors and sticky notes–oh I love it!
These are great tips. I love those Pensacola too. I’m definitely going to try & be more organized this year.
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I loved this post and I want a Passion planner now! I’m going to get one next week. This post makes me excited to use it and for the help it will give me in making 2017 a most successful year for myself! Your pin is so freaking cute and clean! I love that!
Thank you Monica, you will love the Passion Planner!
I got my second Erin Condren Life Planner for this year and I love it, but will be using your suggestion for the end pages (they don’t get used much as is) and I have implemented using a daily sticky note to keep track of to-dos that don’t fit in the planner conveniently. I feel like the Erin Condren really fits my lifestyle, but I like some of what you described in the Passion Planner. I have a bullet journal I have not opened that I may use for some of those things and blog planning! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Sue! I love using the end pages for keeping track of my bills and for content planning for my blog. I really wanted a bullet journal for blog tracking and planning but I didn’t think I would use it. I’m glad I can combine everything into the passion planner but you can also do it all with the Erin Condren planner!
The MAMBI Happy Planner is my perfect planner choice. That it’s disc-bound was the first attraction but the overall layout, motivational quotes, and fun and functional accessories sealed the deal
Oh! And Frixion erasable pens and markers are a godsend
okay so my sister bought me some erasable pens for Christmas this year and I am not too impressed. I’ll have to check out the Frixon, thanks for letting me know. 🙂
I’ll have to check it out! Thanks Nikki!