My apologies in advance for what I am about to proclaim: There is no such thing as a perfect planner. I know, I know. I was once amongst the perfection seekers, one of the millions of people looking for the “perfect” calendar and task management tool. But take it from this productivity expert; perfect does not exist.
Are you among the many who has spent countless hours looking for the one tool that could DO IT ALL; the singular planner that could magically transform a crazy-busy schedule into an organized- orderly life?
Honestly, isn’t that a bit much to ask of some hardbound pages filled with lines and dates?
In all seriousness, the paper planner industry continues to boom in this digital era. In 2022, the market share for paper planners was estimated at $1.02 billion! That tells me that a large number of professionals and productivity-seeking individuals are seeking a manual method to manage their time and tasks. And I would venture to say many of those millions of people, spending billions of dollars, are still looking for something perfect that will work alongside their smartphone, google calendar, outlook tools and all the other technology they have adopted.
The Hybrid Method for Task Management
During my 15+ years working as a time management coach, I have never gone fully digital when it comes to calendar and task management. I call my current style hybrid, meaning I use both digital and paper tools to manage my time, tasks, projects and priorities. Once I realized that perfect doesn’t exist in any area of life, including the paper or digital planner worlds, I began trying several different tools and techniques as a way of conducting my own research for my clients.
What I was really looking for was a system that could help me achieve focus each day; a tool that would allow me to prioritize my tasks from my never-ending, ever-growing To-Do List; a methodology that would grow with me as my business, family, and life continued to expand and uplevel. I was looking for a powerful trifecta!
I finally discovered the Full Focus Planner – which became my solution – in 2019. Five years later, I am still as big a fan and an even bigger advocate than I was then. Thanks to two of my mastermind partners (shout out to Claire K & Rachel M) who were using Full Focus, I became intrigued. Honestly, I felt a little FOMO. Afterall, I was the productivity expert amongst the group and felt like I should have been familiar with the tool if they were!
Once I ordered my first planner, I decided to research the creators and the company behind the tool (I am a Fact-Finder, for all you Kolbe assessment fans). This is when I realized I had hit the jackpot. The Full Focus Planner was not just a paper tool. It was a system as well as a methodology! The almost-perfect trifecta I was looking for!
Why It Works
Why does the Full Focus Planner and system work so well for me and when I am coaching high-performers? Let me count – and share -the ways!
- Full Focus is really a methodology. The planner is one tool that helps me execute the system, but it builds habits and routines much more valuable than simply keeping a paper planner by my side.
- Speaking of habits/routines, the planner provides a template for creating start up and ramp down routines both on a personal/self-care level and at the professional/workplace level. How I start and end each day has a multiplier effect and this tool has strengthened my discipline in this area in a very positive way.
- The planner covers 90 days at a time – which is a very reasonable amount of time for which to set concrete goals and identify specific actions for implementation. If you know/like the 90-day year method, this is very similar.
- The planner encourages celebrating the wins and acknowledging progress as part of the quarterly, monthly, and weekly goal setting process. I absolutely love the positive mindset this instills.
- The Big 3: This concept is woven throughout the tool and is a big player in the Full Focus methodology. Simply put, the tool guides me to select 3 top priorities for each week and for each day. This daily/weekly habit strengthens the brain’s ability to focus, to zero in on a smaller amount of high leverage activities and to become less distracted by the low value “busy work.”
I could add several more items to this list, but these are definitely at the top of my list.
So, stop looking for perfection and start looking for a system that will fit your needs. I’m certainly a bit biased at this point, but I’d venture to say the Full Focus system is a great place to start. What do you think? Get your Full Focus Planner here! Then check out my 2023 Full Focus Workshop Series to join a group of like-minded high performers who are committed to being fully focused this year. You can also connect with me here to work together & find your almost-perfect formula for success!
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