Functional Planner Setup: How to Make Your Planner Work For You

In this video, I talk about my planner system and how to design a planner that you'll actually use and enjoy. The tips apply to all planner styles and needs - it's all about knowing (and accepting) yours. Thanks so much for watching!
/ scarlettjoplansson

[@thesassyraven]

This is one of the BEST planner videos I have seen. I have the same problem using a bullet journal. I love the creativity and it helps keep me organized but, I feel pressured to be creative which takes the fun out of it. I have just moved back to personal rings as well. Thanks for sharing!

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

TheSassyRaven Oh thank you so much, I’m so glad it was helpful to you! I’m still in personal rings and loving it.

[@lyndasmith593]

This is the BEST planner vid I've seen! So guilty yt? about buying all diff planner types and not following thru. U do exactly the pared down essential planning I want. The big empty pages, etc. Super loved the "kept the kid's alive" comment....lol. had to go back twice to b sure I heArd correctly. Also loved that u don't write EVERYTHING down, like remembering to breathe and # of trips to bathroom. I don't need to write it it and check it off or carry forward to feel productive...jeez. u GAVE ME RELIEF TO WRITE LESS and stay on task. U rock. M new subscriber. HUGE THANK U...REally!!!!!

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Lynda Smith This is SO nice to hear, thank you so much! Simplifying and minimizing the space has honestly made all the difference for me, I’m thrilled my rambling about it was so helpful for you too 🤗

[@PlannerGirlLifestyle]

Great video! You are right about having too many tasks on one page! Thanks

[@dearlydeciduous]

I just stumbled across your video and I have to tell you, that was really profound about minimizing your weekly space in order to not aspirationally fill it up (and set yourself up for failure, or constant migration). I think Ryder C had that simplicity in mind with the different Bujo modules, but the rest of us may have overcomplicated things 😂 I never thought of it that way before and I’ve been planning for years - maybe this is why nothing has really given me planner peace. I’m recently back in personal rings after 20 years, having spent the last 4 years bullet journaling in a notebook or Hobonichi, and while I love both books, the self-pressure to fill the space is real. Thanks for pointing it out! 😊

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

So glad it was helpful to you! I had to give up bullet journaling because I couldn't resist the temptation to over complicate it, but I think you're right about that. 😂 Figuring out how to allocate my space so it was *just enough* was a game changer for my planner, it actually organizes me instead of being an exercise in creative space filling. I love personal rings, and the nice thing about rings is the ability to flex space as your needs change, including just taking full pages out when they don't suit you! Thank you for watching and commenting, I love hearing how other people are planning!

[@bonggirl0506]

I've been watching planner related videos for over 4 years!!! 4 YEARS!!! why KZbin? You didn't suggest the best video with real informations! FINALLY. SUBSCRIBED.

[@cefwyn7878]

"Kept the kids alive!" Definitely should be on everyone's to do list! I've definitely been prone to over stuffing my to do list. Now I start with time sensitive tasks (I jot the day due beside them) followed by general things I have to get done that week but can fit around the key tasks. I felt like a failure when I never completed my to do lists until I realised it was a list of long term goals that I needed to break down into chunks. Great video😆

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Cefwyn I honestly track quality time with my cat in my planner so I’m all for listing whatever you need 😂 That’s a great system! I’ve definitely had the problem with listing projects as single tasks. I really struggled with the too long lists when I was using dailies. So glad you enjoyed it, thank you!

[@cefwyn7878]

@@Scarlettjoplansson It was interesting watching how someone else dealt with the same issue. Thanks😆

[@pagefarm8666]

Totally excellent video, thoughtful and insightful and all true in my experience too!

[@debbiesokoloff1991]

Very functional setup, and good looking too! Very clear explanation, TFS.

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

I so appreciate that, thanks so much!

[@lhernan301]

Thank you for sharing. You provided some great tips. I love my planner and do not like filling it with tasks that are not achievable.

[@lindabelardes5971]

"Keep the kids alive" that is always my goal when I watch my 4 grandkids alone lol great video . I will be following you. Well thought out and kept my interest.

[@dianes5575]

I love your planner

[@LettersfromSierra]

Love your perspective on planner peace! Thank you 🤗

[@staceyb.5878]

This was very helpful, thank you!!

[@Theminnieminx8]

I’m a new subscriber. This is a great functional planner video and I definitely prefer flexibility of rings too.

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Theminnieminx8 Thank you so much! It’s definitely hard to beat the customization of a ring bound

[@season.appreciation8102]

I had the same problem with my bullet journal. I loved it but it wasn't working for me - I was always playing 'catch up' so I'm back to rings and pre-printed sheets!! Much happier! Thank you for this video. 💕

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Season .Appreciation I just made the switch back to rings and I know that’s the system for me, I totally know what you mean about playing catch-up. Thank you for watching!

[@CrystalCammarota]

New to planning! Great Tips! Very easy to fall into the KZbin craze and thinkn you have to be a decorative planner which as much as I would love to be, I am more of a functional planner. Thanks for sharing! New Sub!

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Crystal Monique I still get tempted by it, it’s hard to stay strong but it’s so much better to accept what’s right for you. And functional can still be beautiful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@memoir02]

Great tips! Thank you for sharing!

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

AngieR Crawley I’m so glad they were helpful, thanks so much for watching!

[@chantalsalomoni5010]

This is a great planner video!

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Chantal Salomoni thank you so much!

[@calisongbird]

Greatest.planner advice.ever. Seems obvious, but it all needed to be said. 👍🏼 PS you made me wanna take my black VDS Touch Me down off the shelf. 😉 I’m currently in my black Gillio Medium Compagna. Almost identical layout.

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

KZbinName Thanks so much, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! The VDS Touch Me is everything, and such a good deal for the layout.

[@Serenaif]

Hi! I've just found your channel. I love your voice! * __* anyways, great video - I'm a planner addict and I strive for fuctionality over appearence, I like how you clearly explain everything and reflect on real individual needs and how this approach shapes the right planner. Please make more videos like this: could you do a whole series, going deeper on each topic? thanks

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Serenaif I just recommended this video to you in another comment and I see you already found it 😊 I would love to, thanks so much for the suggestion!

[@janemccourt5022]

I noticed you didn't have meal plans for the whole week? Do you have a separate meal planner or ideas for meals list? Also shopping lists. I was wondering about a daily plan too. I like the everything on 1 page approach too. Cuts down binder thickness. A fabby video, loved it. Like you, I hate transferring tasks, makes me feel a sense of fail too. Thanks for such a great video. xxxxx

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

I usually only plan meals for 5 days of the week to leave a night or two for leftovers or dinner out. I do have a list of easy meal ideas that I can pull from, and I don't keep a separate meal planner but I have started keeping a home planner that has that meal list in it. I plan to do a flip through of that soon. I keep a list pad in the kitchen for grocery lists rather than a spot in my planner because I like it to be accessible to both me and others in the house while I'm right there thinking about what's needed. I'm so glad you enjoyed the video, thanks so much for watching and commenting!

[@michellealdrich]

Excellent points! New subbie 👍🏻

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

Michelle Aldrich Thank you so much! 🤗

[@janemccourt5022]

PS where did you get your weekly layout pages from here???

[@Scarlettjoplansson]

They're from 8lotus.co! All of their inserts are a functional planner's dream

[@janemccourt5022]

@@Scarlettjoplansson Thank you for replying. So very kind of you. xx

[@kathrynaraguz4816]

had me right up to the swear words!! NOT necessary whatsoever period...