A diary can help everyone: a boss and an ordinary employee, a freelancer and a housewife, a schoolboy and a student. It allows you not only to write down the necessary information, but also to plan things effectively. But how to choose the right one?
Decide on the size of the diary. If you're used to using the planner at your desk, go for the large model. It is really convenient to write in such a diary. In addition, it contains a much larger amount of information, so it is useful for people who like to paint plans in detail.
Compact or "pocket" diary is suitable for people who are constantly in business. You can use it while in a traffic jam, during your lunch break or when traveling. The small volume allows you to quickly navigate the records.
Format and structure
Diaries prepared by time management professionals are ideal for effective planning. As a rule, they are divided into several sections that allow you to structure matters, decompose goals, and unload current and long-term tasks.
Regular diary pages should have at least two main fields: hard and flexible cases. Rigid tasks are tasks performed at a strictly defined moment. Flexible cases are not assigned to a specific time, but are linked by day.
Effective planners usually have additional fields. These may include:
The most important thing. That is, the task that will bring the maximum result and requires mandatory execution.
Assessment of the day. This item allows you to independently determine how effective you were during the day, and draw appropriate conclusions.
List of calls that must be made that day.
Sections for life goals and mission. Recording them all the time will allow you to remember exactly what you are striving for and make plans based on these priorities.
Remarks. These fields record the mistakes you made and how they were corrected.
It is not necessary for the diary to contain all of these items, but their presence will significantly increase efficiency.
Information blocks
If you are managing several projects at once, you will need special fields that allow you to track the progress of a single task. There, as a rule, the deadlines for execution, specific steps and your own notes are indicated.
Clean fields. It is not always possible to present information in the form of words, so it is good if there are blank sheets in the diary. There you can draw some charts, a goal map, or a model of a new product. These fields are especially important for creative people.
