“Does thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that’s the stuff life is made of.” 

~ Benjamin Franklin

Making the most out of your life means making the necessary adjustments to work more efficiently (smarter, not harder). One of the tools I use is my yearly planner (my choice is the “Time Traveler”) which travels with me. Daily tasks, errands, family responsibilities, appointments, payments, birthdays, anniversaries, all are written in the planner. 

People are notorious for missing appointments and commitments. How many times has a physician, dentist or optometrist called, text or emailed you an appointment reminder? They’ve found people irresponsible and distracted. Missed appointments may damage your reputation with labels like ‘undependable’, ‘irresponsible’, ‘can’t cut it’, or even a mild version of ‘dishonest’ (you made a commitment, but didn’t keep it). In addition, it sends the message that you don’t consider the appointment or the people involved as important, and are willing to inconvenience them.

Those people with an excellent reputation stand out from the crowd, and effective use of your planner helps you be that “standout” person. “Standout” people are increasingly rare, which means you may get noticed quicker and that results in opportunities.

There’s a second and equally compelling reason to work your planner. It’s a great way to save mental energy. When ideas, reminders, appointments, etc. are entered in the planner, you can simply forget about them and focus on other things. Periodic checks in the planner tell you what’s coming and what needs done. If you’re going to move beyond average, this is another must. Being effective with your time, managing your energy, and keeping your commitments are all a must in getting a life. 

To further enhance my effectiveness with my planner, I carry it in a leather folder. In the folder is additional business information that is used on a daily basis – colored pens, mechanical pencils, post-it notes, and a tablet to write phone and other messages on. A cell phone, call forwarding, and my leather case give me tremendous freedom to be away from the office yet still produce business. It has put huge blocks of time back into my personal life. 

Planners are offered on smartphones, tablets, and laptops as well. These devices travel with us, and are built to make life more convenient and efficient. One of the nice things about these electronics is that you can set audible and visual alarm reminders for important appointments, payments, anniversaries and the list goes on. Use these tools to your advantage!

Decide today if you’re serious about your commitments and getting a life. Get a planner, work it, and keep working it. 

“What kills a skunk is the publicity it gives itself.”  ~ Abraham Lincoln