Creating a Planner Routine that works for YOU

[@prinniapuff]

My tip for people who, like me, are obsessed with colorful pens and brush markers: use as many pens as you like for making your sections and decorating spreads, but stick to a single pen for anything that you actually have to fill in while using the thing during the day - journaling, note-taking, to-do lists, etc.

[@RachelleinTheory]

THIS. This tip is ultimate.

[@grown-upactress4155]

Agree- I have just begun to realize this also.

[@tami1796]

Thank you for sharing your videos

[@jessicar.6605]

The thing is... I color-code my To-Do lists and my hourly time tracker. I use like 8 different colors pens for each project type/area of my life, beside 3 black pens with different sizes tips + a mechanical pencil . I'm also very picky, so for the color pens I only like to use pastels or muted colors. But I'm aware that this is slowing my process too much and that I need to simplify. I like the idea of the multi-pen but I'm not sure if I'm going to like the available colors 🤔

[@grown-upactress4155]

I find that highlighters are also really helpful for my color- coding addiction! Those and colored pencils are my go-to and there are some really good ones out there.

[@littletinyegg]

I do a sandwich style planner routine where I check off habits first thing when I wake up and then before I wind down for bed! Helps keep me on track and checking in twice is helpful for my forgetful brain

[@RachelleinTheory]

That is SUCH a great routine. I gotta get me a good evening routine, right now I'm all morning and my lil brain forgets things while it sleeps lol

[@anitas5817]

My goal for this years planner is to actually use it to achieve goals and not just as an appointment calendar and to-do list. I mean breaking down goals into specific steps and scheduling them on the planner.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Great goal!

[@MsSimpleMovies]

Let me put you onto something that I'm going to try: Paper Junkie Set of 12 Project File Folders with Notes Section, 1/3 Cut Tab Office Supplies in 6 Colors (Letter Size) Amazon Canada has them, while they're currently unavailable on Amazon US. I got hanging folders and a case for $5 on Kijiji (like Craigslist in Canada) and I'm just hand-writing the same project management pages and binder clipping to my folders. I have a lot of planned projects and I have hope I'll actually do them now. 😅

[@tempest510]

In January, I started two notebooks. (Only used one in the past.) It's greatness... I have an arty, sketchbook/memory keeper that I usually get into once a week. And, I have an a6 that is my brain, my workhorse, my everyday, every way, carry... and I'm in it all day long, every day. (I have a goldfish brain and write myself notes and plans all the time to get me through the day.)

[@RachelleinTheory]

Omg, goldfish brain twins 😂 I have the same thing. I love the two planners as being creative and functional.

[@askNatasha82]

I have my stationary tote in my kitchen because that is the heart of my home. I literally have a monthly calendar in my kitchen & my planner in my kitchen is my “scheduler” that’s the best I can do right now. My little guy is on the spectrum & I have a hobonichi cousin setup just for him. I used to try to consolidate & would get super overwhelmed. And I have my hobonichi techo as my journal/health tracker. My cell phone is my catchall. This was a great video! Full of great ideas.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thanks for watching and commenting Natasha! The best you can do is honestly sometimes what's best for you

[@saraelgaili2112]

Hi just saw your comment My son also is in the spectrum How i can make planner for him only ?!

[@steffymuze]

I only write in black, highlighters and stickers are my color and decorative pieces or I'd never do anything due to analysis paralysis and too many art supplies 😂 (also learned I need undated, by trial and error! Great tips!)

[@rachelaleece]

I just want my planner to arrive so I can start getting it set up for 2023. First year trying the Hobonichi cousin!

[@RachelleinTheory]

Omg it’s such a fun planner!!! Enjoy ♥️

[@JoeCool0510]

brain loading, I love it! ha ha great sense of humor!

[@grown-upactress4155]

I am a look-at-it-only-in-the -morning person; this is really inspiring for expanding!

[@lovelyliberal3294]

I'm trying to be more organized in 2023 so I've been actively looking for tips. Thanks for your to-the-point, upbeat video which gives several great ideas w/o being too wordy, slow paced & boring. (Other ppl's videos I've watched have caused me to yell "HURRY UP & GET TO THE POINT!" at the screen. 😂 I appreciate you. :) Happy New Year.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Hahah I have definitely made those videos though 😂 I’m glad you liked this and I wish you all the success in your 2023 organization journey!

[@Bigburma]

Thank you for giving ideas on how to work with planners. I usually end up defeated after such video, because they never give permission to use your planners other ways than every day.

[@bitrudder3792]

I figured out that I could use my monthly spread as a combo of planning AND permanent record - and save space. I don't need to save volumes of weekly or daily pages. I won't be using monthly spreads' reverse sides for piddly things like chore tracking or top to-do items any more. Instead I can note non-planned I don't want to forget, actual accomplishments, challenges encountered and reflections. My planning habit now reflects the outcomes I want: plenty of room (elsewhere) to plan daily, weekly AND ending up with low-volume storage of key events and progress.

[@nevaapsche5362]

I mean, I made it to Jan 4th without buying a new planner (I have too many already) but this video led me to Jet Pens which led me to that aurora polar bear hobonichi weeks so now I'm going to make a DAYS WITHOUT STATIONARY PURCHASE sign and put a fat zero under it. :-) Great video!

[@RachelleinTheory]

HA welcome to the 2023 hobo weeks club 😄

[@Ayame193]

I've been journaling pretty much whole my life, but still loving your tips! Very helpful, thanks for sharing ❤ I tried to use 2 journals this year, but it didn't work for me at all. I always forgot the second planner and couldn't find where I wrote up and what. It's not for me, I need everything to be in 1 journal in the same place 😄

[@RachelleinTheory]

This is the best way to figure it out lol. Trial and error! Thanks so much for commenting and watching

[@SiOR3N]

This video inspired me to get a Jetpen 😍 so far I really enjoy it! Have multiple pens in one is such a freaking genius idea. Thank you for always mentioning it and linking it in your videos 🙂 game changer!

[@RachelleinTheory]

YAY its great. Thank you!

[@Flatability]

A well considered approach - thank you for your insight. I quite like the "toast and eggs" routine; I can relate to that, although I suspect that I'm quite reactionary, with no real routine.

[@stracarr]

I love that you write down daily tasks in your work planner each morning from a master task list. I currently use a bullet journal for a weekly master task list and time block in my planner, but time blocking isn’t really working for me. I’ll try your method instead. I think that could work well.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you!! Yes, it works for me SO well, especially because that master task list has to be digital so my whole team can access it.

[@victoriamotastudies]

This video is such an eye-opener! I've always struggled with using planners, whether physical or digital, like Notion. Remembering to check them was a constant challenge, but your video has completely shifted my perspective! Major thanks for sharing this insightful content! 💗

[@Topscura]

Great advice Rachelle! There is something here for everyone, myself included. Progress > Perfection is my main takeaway. Thanks for sharing.

[@RachelleinTheory]

That's a good one 😄

[@iikimuth]

I like your channel. And I like your personality. You explain clearly and relate to real reality, not over advising or making a planner routine as something that should be done perfectly. Thanks for the advise and sharing your experience. I've using planner for like ages, and still figuring out on how to make a routine/habit. As you explain, often time I end up using my planner only for like half of year, the rest of the time, I left my planner untouched. Still finding the good way to make it a routine though.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thanks so much for this comment and for watching, I’m glad it was useful!

[@cherryseven7926]

I just discovered your channel this week and have been binging your content. You also encouraged me to try using my Uni Jetstream 4 in 1 again 😊

[@emmawallace4697]

I cannot use a small planner, I need a larger composition size

[@RachelleinTheory]

Welcome!! I live and die by the Uni Jetstream multipen so I'm always happy to get people to use theirs ☺️

[@parchment.dreams]

Seconding the Jetstream 4+1! Such an awesome pen, I discovered it when I was living in Japan and I’m now mad I didn’t buy more 😂 I’ve been slowly developing a new planner system that i’m finally feeling comfortable with, and I’m loving having my Hobo Weeks everywhere with me, its my lifeline 🧡

[@RachelleinTheory]

Natasha you are a person after my own heart ❤

[@annemcdonald3770]

Can we just talk about how happy your organizing boxes are behind you? 😂

[@RachelleinTheory]

I love them :D

[@macfrenzyfrost]

Rachel girl you said that with eliminating friction! I also use that pen and came to the same conclusion.

[@RachelleinTheory]

YES multipens are the best. When I was a kid I used to think they were silly and now I cannot live without them.

[@sharonmitchel1377]

Before retirement I used a multi-pen. I often had meetings away from my office. I was never fiddling around for the right pen. This pen definitely removed the friction and was far more professional looking.

[@RachelleinTheory]

YES the multipen is everything

[@annelyle5474]

I've been terrible at keeping to planner routines, so I decided to set up recurring reminders in the Things app, and it's really helped! Each routine has a short checklist, so I can tick off each relevant planner as I get to it (I don't update every planner every morning!).

[@RachelleinTheory]

GREAT tip. I have similar digital reminders for other routines in my life. Also, Things is perfection for this.

[@Topscura]

Sounds like you found a great way to use tech to supplement an analogue system. Love it 👌🏾

[@ave_smirnova]

thank you, rachelle ! it was really helpful !

[@superfund42]

I wanted to thank you for the multi-pen recommendation. I got the reddish version of the 4+1 Jetstream and it's now my Work Pen. I was hauling a bag with like 12 pens & pencils to a weekly onsite meeting and it felt ridiculous. One pen is much better. This is the way.

[@RachelleinTheory]

YES SARA. This pen is everything to me. So glad it's working for you!

[@jampanda1568]

I think I've stacked drinking coffee and writing in my journal.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Perrrrfect example of that

[@stacyalvarez9046]

First time watching your Chanel. You have so many really good points. I really appreciate you sharing your insights about this subject with us. Thank you.

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thanks Stacy!! And welcome :)

[@RebecaServinL]

Great information, I liked the part about setting up your master task list, I would love to see what aspects of a task do you keep in track and breakdown? Thank you!

[@RachelleinTheory]

Hi Rebeca! I can get into it more when I do my video about digital additions to my planner style, but I mostly will keep reoccurring tasks OR tasks that I want to do "someday" in a master task list. Day to day stuff that comes up just gets put in my planner. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@staciedawn8287]

I’m loving your videos so much! Do you have a video about your productivity routine? Or any videos that you have found especially helpful?

[@eponine72]

I have to have multiple pens because I switch up between blackout weekly spreads and white paper dailies. I also like to have different style pens like Acrylograph pens, White gel pens, Sakura Gelly Roll pens and a fountain pen.

[@CrystalChristianStore]

For me is very important to put my planners where can I see every day if is possible beside my bed. See it first thing in the morning❤

[@RaichoNikolov]

05:45 Four color pen is exaclty what I use. Allow me suggest an addition. I always keep my pen INSIDE the planner (if it is a ring binder I put the pen inside the rings - doesn't need to have a pen holder). This means that when I open the planner there is no need to search for a pen in my pockets or in the backpack. Thus IAM READY to use the planner right on the spot when and where I need it.

[@TheWordN3rd]

I use all the colors to decorate every month (not literally, i actually only use five) and then each week is just my fountain pen and one color for highlighting and whatever decoration I want to do. If I have time, I color code my day, but that's not a necessary part.

[@kats2532]

Excellent tips❣️ Thanks! ❤️

[@Th3L0st0ne]

super useful video and cherry on top that we get to see her face most of the video 🙏

[@ChoklitFrekelz]

That intro took me out. 😆 I can't stop laughing, because that's me all day!!! 😁

[@RachelleinTheory]

😂😂

[@bbqutie17]

Thank you for the tip about the pen! I have one but it doesn’t have green ink…and I really feel like I need green ink too! Just ordered the Jetstream in purple to go with my Inkwell Press planner. I’m so glad I saw this video! 😅

[@RachelleinTheory]

The green ink calls to me too 😂

[@progressisperfection]

I don't know if my brain is going to be able to absorb this crucial info because your cute binders won't stop smiling at me. 😃😃

[@RachelleinTheory]

HAHA

[@laurahall-daniels6500]

I was thinking the same thing!!

[@MissKrisTee]

Hi Rachelle, New subscriber here!! I’m loving all of your content! Thank you so much for the helpful tips! 😊

[@RachelleinTheory]

Welcome to the fam Kristy!!! Thank you for the comment and sub ☺️

[@SapphirasMama]

I found that its also the type of planner that you use. For me I need all 3 types- Monthly, Weekly and Daily. Also, I need to have a vertical weekly and its a paper planner as I can't do digital. I found that if I put my daily to do's in my weekly section early on in the day. I would come back every evening to fill out the rest of my day after feeding myself and the animals. I have 1-3 planners. Find the right planner that works for you. If you can do digital, go digital. If you can go paper, go paper. Do you want horizontal, dashboard, vertical, daily and monthly only or weekly and monthly only? It may not seem important but it is. You are going to come back to a planner if you don't see it as a chore or boring. I use 2 Hobonichi Cousin English versions for 2023. I am also using the second half of a Whistle and Birch planner for health related planning. 1 cousin does nearly everything and the 2nd cousin is my faith planner/journal

[@RachelleinTheory]

Totally agree!

[@thelivichronicles]

am loving your content!!! thank you !!!😊

[@RachelleinTheory]

Loving having you here!!!

[@BrandiJanei]

Thanks for the tips!

[@lel4per]

My planner routine both work and personal is *distracted* wait what am I supposed to be doing? *looks at bullet journal* oh yeah thanks I could literally not live without you❤ On repeat😂

[@markyourpages]

Great tips

[@HaveAHollyDayArts]

Solid advice, thanks!

[@kimikobuford]

Great information❤

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thank you ☺️

[@margaretjames6611]

Thankyou these tips are awesome.. 🪴📕

[@susanscandles]

I have spent years trying to find a planner that works for me and my personality. Same work schedule each day but have my marketing business too. I like simple and wished someone would take what I like and tell me best planner to try that might fit me. I am SO tired of not finding one that works best for both. We do set goals and have levels to work towards but starting out, those planners right now overwhelm me. Any suggestions??

[@RachelleinTheory]

There's so much that goes into picking a planner and I don't think I can recommend the perfect one for you if you have been trying to find one for years unsuccessfully. I will say larger size planners (A5 or bigger) work best when you are trying to fit everything in one. You may consider something with a vertical weekly if you would like to time block (like a Hobonichi Cousin or Sterling Ink's common planner, which she's doing an undated preorder for soon). You may also want to check out bullet journaling, because that can be in any old notebook and you can completely customize it yourself. I think embracing customization is going to help you. Accept that no planner is going to be perfect, and that you may have to supplement with digital tools or additional notebooks. Watch some planner lineup videos, see what works for others, and don't be afraid to customize it yourself - you'll find something.

[@emilyhan810]

Can I have the name of that productivity KZbin video again pls?

[@RachelleinTheory]

Not sure which one you’re talking about - can you timestamp when I’m mentioning it in the vid?

[@rayq352]

@@RachelleinTheory I think maybe when you mentioned Matt d'Avella ? @Emily Han

[@RachelleinTheory]

@@rayq352 I did mention him!

[@TeagueVivolo]

@Rachelle in theory are those ikea bookshelves? 😊

[@RachelleinTheory]

Of course 😂

[@Becksnnc]

My planner isn't even a planner really. It's literally just a "to-do" notebook. I don't use it everyday as I haven't managed to make it a habit but when I do use it it's literally just for me to write a list of all the things I'd like to get done the next day. I've tried bullet journaling, time blocking and all these others methods but it just doesn't click with my brain for some reason. The simpler the better for me tbh lol. I just wish I could keep a consistent habit of writing my to-do's everyday and then obviously actually following through with those to-dos. I have quite a lot of pages where I wrote the to-dos and then I never even referred back to it so none of those to-do's got done lmao I use Notion for actual habit/goal tracking etc as it's easy to adjust and change as necessary.

[@shanelldrago1836]

My friction is perfection lol

[@thecreativegramgram8592]

I like to plan my week every sunday afternoon while husband watches football. Been doing it on sundays for years

[@RachelleinTheory]

I am literally doing this right now with my boyfriend lol

[@tanjasbuecherlaube]

The more i "allow" myself to plan and write "ugly and messy" the more my Bujo Planning works for me ..... The simple original Bujo System how Ryder Carroll developped it (except that i need weeklys beside monthlies and dailies). My Bujo helped me to survive really difficult Times.

[@RachelleinTheory]

♥️

[@sherrycarter4601]

Hello, where did you get your pen from?

[@RachelleinTheory]

Jet pens! should be linked.

[@gotica]

My adhd needs diffrent colours & diffrent pens to plan.. Makes it easier for me to, if I don't find it fun then I won't do it

[@mossyoakmom8880]

Your sweatshirt is so cute. Where did you get it?

[@RachelleinTheory]

It's lululemon!

[@mossyoakmom8880]

@@RachelleinTheory Thank you for letting me know!

[@pattycakeandplaydatesnursery]

What is the pen you used called?

[@RachelleinTheory]

it is linked, my friend

[@ms.miller9167]

Thank you for this!!! Random Q; where did you get your sweatshirt? Is it vet nice looking. Thanks.

[@RachelleinTheory]

It’s lululemon!

[@mrssomeone2143]

I'm more organized in spending. Discount doesn't appeal to me like it used to be. I spend money to what i need, keep my impulsive buying in check

[@melissabarrett3088]

❤️❤️💯💯

[@bluewisdomtriforce]

I love pens and use a lot of them when planing so only using one pen in the most straight forward interpretation is never going to work for me I do however make my setups in such a way as to only need one pen, so I just grab the pen I feel like that day

[@pinksakura27]

Where can I find a pen like yours?

[@RachelleinTheory]

Jet pens! It’s linked

[@loganmahoney2284]

I would buy your book

[@lildea06]

It's says I'm a Minimalist, but I think I'm a Minimalist with artistic tendencies. Lol!!!

[@RachelleinTheory]

😂😂 love that

[@Sooofullofcraft]

I loved everything you said We share the same brain 🙃

[@demirodeo4646]

Off topic but the picture or book cover in the background was scaring/distracting me because it came on and off focus. Love the content. ❤

[@RachelleinTheory]

Thanks for the feedback Demi!

[@ttango2653]

So many ytubers repeat the same logical ideas. Nothing new here

[@RachelleinTheory]

Tell it like it is, T!