How I Ruined my New Planner (And How I Plan to Save it)

[@LwaxanaProductions]

As someone who loves color but is easily overwhelmed by them, what works for me is soft highlighting them with pastel highlighters and just writing everything else in black or blue. Another thing you can try out instead of colors is symbols. Like work related things get a little triangle in front of them, personal appointments a circle. You can try things like a heart and a sun for specific things but the simpler the symbol the easier it is to work with. Love the honesty and am curious to see what does and doesn't work for you ♥

[@marizaa9317]

I do like the symbols system. I use the symbols in the OG BuJo system with the Alastair method for both my work notebook (not really a planner, but I use it for planning and taking notes) and my common planner (everything outside of work)

[@aawlex2323]

Professional Designer note: The reason you may be struggling so much with the colors is because you chose them based on symbolism and not utility. When choosing your colors you want to pay attention to which ones are really eye-grabbing (like the red), and which are more muted (like the green). The pens you can consider to be "neutrals" most of the time are dark blue and black. Another comment suggested choosing colors that you think go nicely together and I second that! But you also need to pay attention to how you're going to embolden things you want your eye to go to, versus all of the other info that you want there for if you're actually looking for it. Emboldening can come by making it thicker via overwriting (classic bold), by highlighting, or by more intense color. A designer will call this kind of thing "creating visual hierarchy," which you're already doing a little with with your titles and the thick black. Icons could be used as well, but it's best to use them to replace words like "date night" and not to mark importance in my opinion just because they can be easily missed. Though if they're eye-catching like the big circle around RENT, that obviously does the trick!

[@AllTheArtsy]

color coding was not the problem. not knowing what the planner was really for is

[@JessicaSmith-ie7cm]

@@AllTheArtsyThis is true

[@BookWitchTaty]

Looks like everyone is giving you the 'pick colors you like together' and go with 'highlighters and one base pen' but to add/modify that: You can also use just a small dot with the highlighter color next to your chosen main color. So visually its not as overwhelming, and for stand out things you can fully highlight them for extra customizability.

[@hannahclark8313]

I've color coded for years. I prefer writing with only black pen and adding the color with pastel highlighters. One tip I would give is to find colors you like seeing together. Once you select a few colors, use them for one month at first, tweak it for the following month and see what you like best. I changed my color code a few times before finding my favorite combo. Now I use it all the time!

[@reneel2502]

I use color coding a lot. The red for me is for emergent items or things that need extra attention because it is so jarring. You might try switching your red items to a purple or black. Something that blends easier with the blue and green. Not so harsh on the eye overall.

[@LifeByDenise]

Hey, I am a long time manager. You deserve a planner that is for work. As a single contribution associate, you definitely use one planner. As a manager, you will benefit from a work only planner. You have so many balls. Pto for everyone. Team projects, your projects, hr management stuff.

[@jilltribley6821]

Yes, totally agree, there are too many personal things here for a work planner. Depending on where you work this can be considered a liability risk too. That's how I was trained early on.

[@KristenAfionis]

I love color coding, it really helps my brain skip a step in identifying and categorizing information without thinking about it. But, I don’t love a ton of color on functional pages so I use monochrome palettes. For example, I prefer warm colors so I use tan, med, and dark brown pen inks to denote different categories of information. The colors have enough contrast that I can quickly see the separation but it’s not so different that it’s jarring to look at. Good luck!

[@IantheTheThird]

I can totally empathize, the Manager's Notebook can be scary. For me it's the other way around, I didn't want to put anything down because then it was so final and I had to do the habits for a full month. BUT I have come to absolutely love the planner, it is gorgeous, I love the format, I love the structure. And I figured out that using the spreads is kind of fueling my creativity, I just had to ALLOW myself to 1) make it up as I go and be more flexible around it, try out other things in later months and so on, it doesn't have to be the same all year and b) make it MINE by using my favorite colors, washi tapes etc so it is not as intimidating in its perfection. I bought it because of your recommendation so thank you for that, I've been having so much fun with it!

[@currant-goldenberry]

This is such an important video to make! I feel like planner hopping is so normalized in the community, and it means a lot to have you try to salvage it. Solution-wise, do you like Zebra Sarasa Vintage Gel Pens? They have the colors you need, but more muted, so they might loose less harsh against the preprinted part of the planner.

[@articmage3]

You already use a calendar app, why also use paper? Using both takes up a lot of time that you could be doing said tasks. Same thing for putting stuff into your weekly that's already written into your monthly, it's an unnecessary step. To help you out though, I think your issue is separating your different life aspects into different books. And because you're separating them, your planner looks empty, so you subconsciously fill in other life events to fill the space. For one thing, you don't need many categories. Just work, social, and home is all you need. Work - Meetings, project deadlines (Stuff only done on the clock, but maybe also list your paydays) Social - Friends, dates, doctor appointments, oil change (If it involves seeing another person, it belongs here) Home - Bills, chores, personal goals I want to complete (Stuff that doesn't require you to leave the house) You can color code them, or even just put lines in the calendar. Top half for work, bottom half for home for example.

[@articmage3]

Personal reference: I use the Hobonichi Weeks and Google Calendar All of my social and home categories are on GoogleCal, (along with my work schedule) but my actual work tasks I put into my planner monthlys. I highly suggest whatever category in your life changes the most that one onto your digital calendar. My home life changes a lot more than my work tasks do, so it's easier to edit online than on paper. Any goal things that is not designatedly planned- like for me personally is reading - I put into my weekly sections only. Reading doesn't go anywhere else, and nothing else goes into the weeklys. The only thing left blank are the blanks in the back, which I use for budgeting. Even daily to-do lists, I just write on a lose piece of paper and check off as I go.

[@magnoliidae5794]

I love color coding but totally relate to how it can look jarring. Would suggest looking for colors you find more pleasing and or just using colored dots before each item - that’s what I do generally and use different colored mild liners before tasks on my vertical weeklies when backlogging and find it helpful for looking back to identify patterns or find when I did something, but not too overwhelming to look at

[@prats8]

I used to struggle a lot when there are a lot of empty spaces within the page but what I do now is, I just doodle or paste photos related to the items that I have in the spread. Eg: You could paste a photo or doodle or journal a bit about your fav memory with the friend that you have called that week, if that makes sense :) I usually put my memories like this in some of the empty spaces so that when I flip through them I can see the progress of my goal visually and this also hides all those intimidating extra templates as well :)) I do the same when I ruin a spread 😂 I had the same issue of ruining one of my monthly spreads, I have pasted pictures in every box after the day is done and by the end of the month, it has served its purpose and also there is a whole month memory wall and I loved it.

[@Risici_Bloom]

Get some clear post-it notes. Put them in the places you are unsure of and try out some different ideas.. different color inks.. and see what works :)

[@patriciacassell1412]

The Artist’s Way is such an amazing book! I’ve been working on it for years but have never finished it. Maybe this will be the year! Good luck with it!😊

[@JessicaSmith-ie7cm]

I have this one in the B5. It’s working BEAUTIFULLY thus far for my life and my mind. Initially when she showed her video on YT I immediately fell in love and knew I was getting this planner and fully intended it to be my EDC(family and personal stuff only; no work). When I received the planner I took like an entire month and brainstormed and watch tons of videos and thought about my life and realized it was perfect for work. I teach college courses and I’m in a management role in my department. There is SO MUCH that goes on with teaching including course ideation and prep work and grading and student concerns etc etc etc. There are conferences to attend, accreditation, student organizations etc etc etc. Needless to say I am working through my dashboard and weekly verticals and figuring out more and more efficient usages of the planner. The semester started a few days ago so, so far so good. I do believe this planner can work for lots of things and in many ways. For me it works because my work life literally has TONSSSSS of moving parts and I love how I can keep it separate from my EDC. You just have to learn as you go which is okay. I placed many sticky notes in mine before the semester started and just brainstormed until I couldn’t anymore. I thought of everything I do on the job, even the unexpected, and I just found usage for all Tess offered in this book. I’m happy with how it’s going. For color coding I using all black ink and color code with highlighters. It’s easier on my eyes, personally. Good luck with everything 🫶🏾

[@katelynflaaen]

Color coding, yes. Harsh colors, no. Try mildliners and/or pastle colors. I can't do the harsh colors either but choosing "calmer" colors are so much better for me!

[@katelynflaaen]

Pilot G2 used to have lighter/calmer colors!

[@elisabethmontegna5412]

I really love color coding stuff but on paper I have to do it by highlighting items-looking at a page that’s got words written in different colors of ink is very overwhelming and anxiety producing to me. So, if it’s a small space I color it in with a mildliner highlighter or colored pencil (gives a softer look). If it’s a larger space I either draw a line of color on one side (kinda like a bracket I guess) or I draw around the whole box in color. Another thing I’d say is that once you decide on the colors you want to use and assign them to a topic or category it’s important to be consistent with it to get the most cognitive benefit from it.

[@7SP7]

I love using colored pencils on my planner.

[@jaimespearman8328]

Agree monthly for future planning, transfer to weekly at beginning of week, update daily. The second monthly pages I saw as the project planning section. I'd use the task section to breakdown larger projects, Mark the days I worked on them across, then update progress on the right... In regards to color coding, I do this for work as well but prefer the vintage or muted color pens to cut down on the harshness. And finally, work should really be separate as a manager for liability. If you ever travel for work or are in a physical meeting, you also don't want your personal info visible in a work environment. (That's how I rationalized at least 😅) good luck! Starting from scratch is hard, look forward to seeing how you overcome. ❤❤❤

[@itabulate3088]

I am in the same boat, last year I had few diaries, planners-one for work, one for scriptures and one for just memory keeping, In November I stopped using them, just like that. For this year I have 2 hobonichi weeks and 2 a6 planners, I been staring at them for last 2 weeks 😅😂 the fear on ruining them is just so real. One thing I know from past experiences, sometimes you just need to let something grow on you, even though that particular colour pallet isn’t your choice it might be actually ok in the end if you keep using them and also finding the full use of that planner❤

[@katiepylman]

I had the same issue with the primary colors for color coding, so I grabbed a Uni customizable multi pen and different color refills. Using softer "non-standard" colors made it a more cohesive palette while still differentiating the codes better. Even without being colorblind, the blue always seemed to either run together with the green or the black.

[@abbielynnjuett4031]

I color code to remember long-term information. I am a visual learner. Color coding is a huge help. It also has come to bring me great joy. I color code by category like you have. It looks like success for you. 😃😃😃

[@FrenchFriesNBrie]

I usually hate the first few weeks as i settle in. It’s like moving into a new place. It takes time to make it a home that suits your needs and fits your aesthetic. You’ll get there. I look forward to seeing how it comes together.

[@callillaissangya7749]

My manager's notebook arrived yesterday and I'm also struggling to find my flow in it for work planning - this video couldn't have come at a better time for me!

[@alwaysroses]

Definitely use colors you like for your color coding. If you don’t like how it looks, the motivation to keep going will be diminished.

[@andreadmw6125]

I feel your pain. I've started 2025 using the manager notebook exclusively. The lines on the left on the weekly spread pages I have used to list my overall goals and then the tasks I was going to work on that week towards the goals. So on the weekdays I would put all my meetings and block out my work blocks of time. Then on those work blocks I worked down the list of tasks and checked them off. So looking at my tasks weekly vs daily. If something had to be accomplished that day I used the large open space above each day to write that days main task I needed to finish. Like build training materials, finish budget. Etc.

[@kanek0yuki]

I use micro or nano dot stickers for color coding (in a pretty neutral palette). It looks very clean and minimalist. Dot markers could also work, but there's always the issue of them bleeding through.

[@zviLikesTV]

Hi Rachel. If you want to test layouts, you could always scan blank monthly pages and then backplan a week or month to see if it makes sense. If you have an iPad, just scan with notes. Also, it's ok to have blank spaces. Maybe cover up sections you can't figure out right now with a sticky note or your most chill washi/stickers (maybe even just plain white sticker paper.) Good luck with your planner journey. PS I'm sensing some ambivalence from you about making the planner your everything planner. It almost sounds like you had so many spaces to fill and you couldn't think of a work/KZbin things to go in every space right away. If making this your all in one works out, then I'm happy for you. But if you decide tomorrow or in March or in October you need a separate life planner, that's ok.

[@fridaalmaraz6381]

I got the B5 and I'm using it exclusively for work. I've been really slow in setting it up, but I had to come to terms with January being a bit of a mess, as I have changed how I used the weeks every time. I do color coding by area (a color for client/project work, one for admin stuff, leads, business development, etc) but I do it by marking the items with a color dot (either marker or sticker, whatever I have) before the item. I'm still figuring out but I have it nowhere near locked down.

[@jordansutherland183]

I just use a dot marker to color code. So if I have an assignment due for a class, it has its own color and I write the assignment name in regular pen next to the dot

[@kjw79]

Sorry this happened to you :( Sounds like your position is quite complex, and the tool that you switched to , hoping it would be the foundation to keep you organized, became it’s own project of work. My lightbulb moment, as someone who became paralyzed with a bound, ‘precious’ planner, was to have a separate year planner from my project planner book. My projects and interests are often longer than a year, complex and malleable. So it’s amazing to have that project book continue on after Dec 31 without rewriting everything important to me. I can use my day planner to time block and pull out the specific deadlines for project work. It’s way less overwhelming. Just a thought!

[@JashiiCorrin]

Cool to see how you adjusted to make it (hopefully) work better for you 💪Have definitely set up a planner I ended up hating 😂 I just sacrificed it to the Research & Development Journal gods and started a new one 😝Trial run, for the win 👌

[@kirstonswartz]

I actually had the same issue when I first started using the Jibun Techo! I had come from bullet journalling in empty notebooks to so much structure that I was dazed and confused. That was in 2023, I'm now in my third techo and I'm enjoying the layouts alot more. It took me some time to iron out how I wanted to use each space. I have a color code for my schedule (highlighted down the timeline bar on each day) but for writing i just use a variety of colors that I think go together nicely. I tend to read down my whole checklist regardless of color so I found this works better for me and keeping the aesthetic of my planner enjoyable too.

[@kirstonswartz]

Also, per the "harshness" of your color coding- i agree with the other commenter's on writing in one color and then highlighting as the color code, especially with options like zebra mildliners were you can still use colors like red but it's more muted!

[@JohannaEliza]

For color coding I tend to use Zig Clean Color Dot markers, dot side and just put a dot next to the event along with a color code key somewhere on the page to reference.

[@Yes-qt7ed]

I had the same problem starting my planner journey. Your spreads looked so nice with less color. I ended up either just coloring the beginning of a line to divide blocks or starting with a color bullet and then switching to black. I just recently figured out something important that would have helped when I was managing a team. Understand personality types early on. I had toxic narcissists that worked for me and didn’t realize it. The damage that was done over the years to the entire team was unreal.

[@candacecourtney7415]

Thanks for talking about it

[@corylcreates]

I used to color code, but it got overwhelming. The categories I saw online just didn't work for my lifestyle and needs. Stuff like: work, home, personal, exercise, appointments... It was too many categories. Another comment mentioned visual hierarchy and I agree: you used red, the most stand-out colour, for your side hustle/side business instead of the highest priority in your life. If I were colour coding again, I would pick as few colours as possible and I would not write the text in that colour. Dots, icons, underlining, and highlighting would be more future-proof for me because I wouldn't accidentally use the wrong colour while brain dumping or logging everything. It also would give more order to the page if all my handwriting is in the same colour of pen while the colour adds quick, at-a-glance information of the different priorities. It's ironic that you went with a tracker after being inspired by one even when saying trackers don't work. Sometimes I try something even if I know it won't work, just to have something down. Looking at the planner, I think it might help to tell yourself you don't need to fill in every box with details. Have you tried going from broad picture to more detailed? For example, the monthly focus would have the broad idea (e.g. "Complete a batch of KZbin videos") while the vertical spread would have more of the steps. I noticed that the vertical weekly seems to correspond wirh the different parts of the day (morning, afternoon, evening) which could be a good space for broad time blocking. There are also header spaces where you could break down the "weekly focus" (e.g. the video one: film video 1, film video 2, script video 3...) My goal planning this year was basically: - resolution: how I want to feel/be (feel more connected to my body, be more creative, etc.) - goals that support the resolution (these kinda looked like projects, like "do a craft once a month") - breaking the goals down into steps and timelines. Is it something to do daily? Weekly? Hourly? Monthly? It was a lot easier for me to do my goals that way. I usually end up hating every planner I set up, but I just turn the page and keep trying new things. :) I usually reflect or journal, typically on the pages themselves, for why something didn't work. Just little notes like "I hated the grid look from highlighting every other row and column" or "I didn't like this don't I tried".

[@suzannemiller993]

If I have a habit tracker, I have to have a timer. 15 or 30 minutes per day or every other day for each project or habit.

[@cathycirina-chiu6972]

i might consider using all black ink, and then using color in highlights? softer colors, but more 'visible"?

[@tifosiye]

For color coding, my first recommendation is pastel highlighters. If you don’t want to carry extra pens, you can also try get a multi-pen that allows you to pick your own colors, like Pilot Hi-tec-C Coleto

[@7SP7]

Or there might be a Frixion multipen out there. Then you can erase and move things around as you wish.

[@thart522]

Can't wait to see what you end up doing bc I'm struggling with this same planner for similar reasons. I was hoping to keep it as my work planner, but i realize I could easily fold in my personal tasks and schedule with some highlighting or sticker dots.

[@Megan-ug8vz]

Not planner related but want to say that I personally love going to workout classes. They are so much fun and so motivating!

[@melanieswritingplans]

I've come to accept that I'm never going to stick to just one planner in any given year. 😅 So if I have alternates available to use I'll just switch back and forth based on what my needs are. As far as color-coding goes, I actually do find it extremely helpful! Especially with the job I was in last year; I'd have various meetings with just my specific team, then meetings with other ops departments, then company town halls. I'd use different colors so they would jump out at me in my planner, and I would also color-code the meetings in my Outlook calendar so that when I'd get the digital reminder, everything matched what I was writing and what was being thrown at me on my screen so I'd know what I needed to prepare for.

[@marmus2901]

Since 2023 I use simpler method for my planner; blue pen for "FUTURE" = task of the day (with check box) and future events, black pen for "PAST" = tick the check boxes, write simple logs what happened on that day in bullet points, and red pen for "URGENT" = I draw exclamation marks next to the urgent tasks or I circle it. My goal is to embrace the "PRESENT", which is to complete the task of the day, and not to waste my time focusing on setting a perfect planner. I use Hobonichi Techo Weeks and Uniball Jetstream multipen.

[@AllTheArtsy]

Its a managers planner that you said you were attracted to... because you've become a manager at work. Why did you even attempt to add your personal life in there? Makes no sense

[@JFlocRNa]

I think a lot of people are having issues with their planner(s) right now. There's a lot of trial and error at the start of the year. I'm gonna blame Mars retrograde for the sluggishness. I'm still tweaking my current set ups. There are so many new types and sizes of planners available now. That dashboard looked confusing to me and I hate to have to write the same thing in multiple places in a planner, whether it's habits, goals, brain dumps, etc. I'd say stick with that planner as your all in one, put your goals and To Do's in the place where it feels most comfortable to you (don't artificially force them into a place that the planner says to do so). Also, as others have said, I'd stick to one pen color for writing and use a light color highlighter or dots for the different task categories. That might help it look better visually.

[@AtomicGirlPow]

Yes, I have absolutely felt the need to change up my planner method and medium. I do color-code but in a slightly different way. I assign a very small symbol to different items that I am tracking and add that symbol (or symbols - some items will fall into multiple categories) to an item on my list monthly/weekly/daily lists. I see the symbols as tools for performing monthly/quarterly/semi-annual/annual assessments. My eyes do not find the little symbols as jarring as different colored writing. Currently, I am trying to keep only two planners (i.e., business, personal) as having one, giant planner got to be too much. Thanks for the reminder on the Eisenhower Matrix.

[@rhondarea9124]

I bought a Manager’s Notebook as well and have been struggling, too, to figure out what I’m going to do with all those spaces. I appreciate this sooo much! I have an A5 Common Planner that I initially bought for it to be my all everything book, then saw the Manager’s Notebook lol. Anyway, in my CP, I decided to put my bills due on the monthly spread and used a green Energel 0.7. HATED it! It was so jarring. So I decided to use an olive green Mildliner over the writing, and it helped so much. It tamed the bright green and made my page more cohesive to my eye. Maybe this will help. I can’t figure out how to add a picture of it, lol!

Hah, I completely know how you feel... I bought the same book after I saw it in your previous vids and when I wanted to set it up, I felt a bit overwhelmed and wasn't sure how to do it because there is so many categories and spaces and you can do so much with that... that in the end I just didn't set it up at all until now and it half January and I am using only the weeklies and not the monthly (that I was so excited about in the first place when buying the planner :D )

[@VeganOrganizer]

I tried colour coding once in my Cousin (the first year I had one, in 2015) and I absolutely hated it! I totally understand where you're coming from. I really love the idea of it but I can't stand how it looks. In the end I realised that I am a multiple planner person and instead of colour coding, I'm much happier dividing my planners into work and personal. That way everything looks consistent and uniform in each planner, but I can easily distinguish work from non-work. That system has made me happy for the past 10 years! Not saying this is what you should do, just sharing my experience 😅

[@bad_anima]

oof. yes. At the beginning of 2024 I tried using an A5 vertical weekly Common Planner and by mid-January I couldn't stand it. I ended up getting the N1 Horizontal Common Planner instead because I wanted to get the biggest planner I could get with the horizontal weekly spread. That just makes my brain so much happier. Now for 2025 I have a horizontal A5 Common Planner and it is lovely and I'm super happy with it!

[@unatazzadilongevita]

I use pastel colour and give a meaning to each colour: is like a rainbow and the predominat colour tell you a lot about where you are ok ore behind or what matters

[@stephaniechanda2772]

Thanks for the video! Just a thought, have you tried Frixion Erasable pens? I love, love, love them and they have multiple colors and point sizes. I want to be able to erase if something gets canceled or changed, but I didn't like pencil. The erasable pens are a great alternative and they have different colors as well. : )

[@sanjuabraham3280]

Sometimes, I think the reason the new planners dont work is that your brain is different from the person who made that planner. I currently use an A5 notebook and set it up on the go what makes sense to me. Hope that helps.

[@HeatherPalmer-Jones-vk3um]

Use a pastel multi pen! I have a simple bic one, 4 colours, all pretty.

[@familywatch1697]

I got a papertess planner too and though it is beautiful it isn’t working for me either I feel like I’m forcing myself to use the sections. But maybe you can use one monthly for work and personal and the the dashboard monthly for KZbin /content stuff (or vice versa)separating that way to minimize the color coding and then the weeks I struggle with and not really a week section person.

[@goddessdejour]

I was so excited for and bought this planner for myself, and even though I knew what to expect when I got it I couldn’t figure out how to use it to my advantage. I just recently decided it was a mistake-buy and just put it in a storage box 😣. Maybe seeing what others are doing will spark some ideas, but I haven’t seen any others using it that much yet, so… 😔

[@goddessdejour]

Color coding: Maybe try a different tone for your colors. My eyes prefer dark colors, so brown, navy, dark purple, dark green (zebra sarasa vintage colors), and i use a sort of dark orange instead of red unless it’s z.s. vintage red. I also try to keep my color scheme similar (ex: black, brown, orange, etc.) and minimal. I refuse to do more than three colors, but will add pencil also.

[@helenveenstra8661]

Hai Rachelle, on your dashboard, the mid-section (you see it as a habit tracker) I see this as a place to use a timeline for projects or goals , diverted in action tasks with due week/day. I like to split up my goals in subgoals. Much greetings ! ( I am from the Netherlands) succes en I love your content!❤

[@lbrowning2543]

I hate all those business planners. They stifle creativity and just look precise when they are irrelevant. Form follows function -which is what your old system did.

[@amyzimmerman9776]

Yep. I hear you. You need to buy another one and start over, for sure. 😂😂😂 lol Can you tell this comment is from another planner girl?? When I started to play this video, my husband was doing something on the other side of the room. It starts, and he instantly says "Yep, sounds like you." Ha ha ha Oy. Can't wait to see what you end up doing!!!! And good luck 😀😂🤗

[@mariecutler9575]

Can you go back to the video you did about how you were going to use the planner, maybe write what you need on post its and then put them in the planner? What would you tell us to do? Can you film as you go through the review list? that's what I find hard. Thanks for all of the work you put into the channel. I get a lot out of it.

[@7SP7]

There’s colored Frixion pens which can be erased and you can rewrite to your heart’s content. 😊

[@deniseholmes7958]

Color coding... can you use 'softer' colors, not primaries? I don't like the starkness of primaries, but find a teal, purple, etc pleasing. It means you have to have more pens handy, but Sarasa and Pentel have lots of color choices.

[@lisaleone2296]

We're planner people, of course we completely change our mind 2 weeks into the new year....