Habit 3: Put First Things First is about life management – your purpose, values, roles, and priorities. But what are your “first things”? Many would say their first priority is their family, but struggle to actually put them above everything else, especially work. It’s easy to make the case that work simply HAS to come …
Continue reading “Implementing Habit 3 By Putting Family First”
Mother’s Day arrives every May, which means it’s time to celebrate the moms in your life. Moms are incredibly busy. They’re volunteers, teachers, doctors, managers, business owners, bus drivers, leaders, and so much more. Even so, ‘Mothering’ is the job title they wear all the time, and there’s no clocking out. Regardless of their daily …
In our 2022 world, with all the negative going on in the world at large and our lives at present, we all need reminders to look for happiness. With Laughter Day on May 1st, this being Mental Health Awareness Month, and wrapping up with Smile Day on May 31st, we are reminded to consciously choose …
With some focused planning in May, you can truly put first things first! So… make some new memories, improve your health, and plan for more time spent with loved ones. May Checklist Pocket Size: PDF May Checklist Compact Size: PDF May Checklist Classic Size: PDF May Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
Stephen Covey taught that all things are created twice. There’s a mental or first creation, and a physical or second creation. This is clearly evident in the process of building a home. You envision what your ideal home will be and you take that vision to the architect. Together you work through each detail of …
Our planet’s resources are varied and precious. Few are more important and significant in our human lives than paper. We utilize it in nearly every aspect of our many daily activities – from various sundries to product fulfillment, construction, fashion, food preparation, and beyond. Earth Day is on April 22nd, which often brings up questions …
A great leader is someone whose actions inspire, empower, and serve in order to elevate others over an extended period of time. When you inspire others, you motivate them to do their best work, set higher goals for themselves, and achieve more. In January we talked about Living a Significant Life. Inspiring others is one …
With spring season officially begun, April showers are providing a time of cleaning and renewal for the earth. Spring is symbolic for rebirth and growth, making this time of year a great opportunity for personal transformation. Create awareness of where you are in your day-to-day life and replace things that no longer serve you with …
Continue reading “Spring: A Time For Refreshment and Renewal”
April is known for rain showers, the beginning of spring…and taxes. Nearly three-quarters of Americans cited money as a significant source of stress, and tax season causes it to take center stage, even if you‘re able to push it aside the rest of the year. Tax-time is so daunting that it causes nationwide mass procrastination. …
April is a great time to practice beginning each project with the desired end result in mind (Habit #2). Don’t be discouraged in your efforts. So much is happening just beneath the surface. Take time to plan your garden, start a new habit, renew a friendship, and appreciate the earth. April Checklist Pocket Size: PDF …
According to Buddhism, equanimity is one of the four virtues one should cultivate to live an enlightening life. Equanimity is mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation. It exemplifies the polar opposite of what many of us experience in our daily lives – anxiety, stress, and distraction. Though creating this …
Since the invention of social media, a lot of things have changed. While it isn’t solely responsible for the way we now measure ourselves against other people, it definitely made it easier to do. Hop onto any social media platform, and you’re likely to see people with expensive outfits, captions raving about their incredible relationships, …
Planning is about far more than managing your schedule; it’s about creating the life you want to lead. Your Franklin Planner is meant to be more than just a planner. They’re designed to help you become who you hope to be. That includes your hopes, dreams, and aspirations. What makes us truly unique is our …
Continue reading “Franklin Planner Training – How to Use Our Time-Proven System”
Virtually every study tells us that around 80% of New Year’s resolutions will get abandoned this month. That is a sad statistic. Accomplishing goals leads to satisfaction and further motivation, while not accomplishing goals leads to the opposite. Making progress on and completing goals we set for ourselves increases our confidence and can help us …
Continue reading “Onward & Upward: Continuing and Completing Your Goals”
March may tease us with the anticipation of Spring, but there’s lots you can do now to get ready. Begin de-cluttering, simplifying, and organizing those interior spaces – like your closets and cars. Don’t forget to de-clutter your time as well. Take a good look at what’s keeping you ‘busy’ and utilize your planner to …
Presidents’ Day was originally celebrated to honor George Washington on his birthday, February 22nd. The Founding Fathers have traditionally been granted great respect, and their achievements were indeed immense. They created the first modern country based on liberal principles, as laid out in the Declaration of Independence. The country they built was also the first …
Humans are wired for connection, and when we cultivate good relationships, the rewards are immense. This isn’t just related to romantic love. Any kind of calm, stable forms of love yield clear health benefits. This could include love in a marriage, partnership, parent/child relationship, or a friendship. The key is to feel connected to other …
Continue reading “The Health Benefits of Feeling & Expressing Love”
Vitality is your personal empowerment, productivity, creativity, health, and well-being. To be vital is to feel energetic and confident. The best way to cultivate this is by working on your relationship with yourself. Just like any other relationship, it requires commitment, time, and effort… and you can’t neglect it. Show some love to you! Self-care …
The Prioritized Daily Task List is a major part of the Franklin Planner System. We encourage people to write down their tasks as you think of them, then go through and assign a value and order to each one. But why do we do this? Checklists may seem too simple of a solution and are …
February, our shortest month of the year, reminds us that time is of the essence. Take all the opportunities you can to: show and express your love and appreciation, make a new friend, learn more about those around you, and remember to be kind. Investing your time and energy into the relationships and endeavors that …
In our digital age, there are so many ways to get information. Online articles, e-books, and podcasts can all make learning more convenient and accessible. However, in recent years, print books have seen a resurgence, and for good reason. They can be better for your brain and health, and actually make learning easier and more …
When many people discuss what they want to achieve, they talk about being “successful”. In their view of the world, success is the ultimate goal in life. But have you ever thought about taking it one step further and becoming significant? Just take a look around you, and you’ll see that most people use their …
It’s the second week of January, which means you’ve likely begun making changes in your life to fulfill resolutions, and have already hit some roadblocks. When you hit these roadblocks, what do you do to get over them? Many try “muscling through” difficulties and “ just forcing it”, but this approach isn’t sustainable. Instead, it’s …
It’s time to start working on New Year’s resolutions, which means we’re all searching for some kind of change in our lives. However, change can be scary and intimidating. Neuroscience has shown that change feels similar to uncertainty in our brains, which contributes to why so many people would rather avoid change and the uncomfortable …
January represents NEW, fresh, beginnings. It’s a well-honored time for starting again and ‘turning over a new leaf’. Remember that any day you make a decision and begin a new path is the beginning of your new life. Set goals and utilize your Franklin Planner System to create the best year ever! January Checklist Pocket …
The year is coming to a close, which means many are starting to think of the goals they want to make for the new year. Unfortunately most people don’t have much luck keeping New Year’s resolutions, and there are several reasons for that. A year is a long time to commit to something, and often …
The ideal time to reminisce on the year is right now, as the holiday season winds down and the year draws to a close. Research shows that employees who spent 15 minutes at the end of the day reflecting performed 23% better than those that didn’t, and commuters who were prompted to use their commute …
The holidays are often the busiest time of the year. There are so many things to do and such little time to take it all in. It can also feel like you’re stuck doing the same things every year, which can cause traditions to feel stale and unexciting. If you’re looking to ease holiday stress …
The holidays are meant to be a time for happiness and cheer. We’re encouraged to visit family and friends, engage in special celebrations, and spread the “Holiday Spirit” everywhere we go. The concept behind these traditions is based in joy, but it can sometimes be hard to actually feel joyful. Whether this is due to …
December is just around the corner, and for many of us, the holidays can quickly become one of the busiest, most expensive, and most draining times of the year. Between the gifts, the buying, the overspending, the never ending to-do list, the parties, the baking, and the overall busyness, it can take the fun and …
December is steeped in traditions, festivities, …and often stress. Take time to simplify what you can, focus on what matters most, and choose the great over the good. Your planner is there to remind you of your goals and assist in planning for the best holiday season ever! December Checklist Pocket Size: PDF December Checklist …
Philosophers and poets have long praised gratitude as one of the most desirable attitudes and attributes. Surely, each of us has much to be thankful for. Gratitude can have a lasting positive impact if we work towards incorporating it into our daily lives. The expression of gratitude leads to a positive, self-renewing, feedback loop – …
As the year begins to wind down, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for choosing Franklin Planner to successfully navigate another year. We do our best to create products that will keep you organized and motivated, and we hope that we’ll continue to be the place you go when looking for your …
It’s that time of year again. The time when we misguidedly imagine that the arrival of a new year will magically provide the catalyst, motivation, and persistence we need to reinvent ourselves. Usually New Year’s Day is styled as the ideal time to kick start a new phase in your life and the time when …
Nothing can put a dent in your holiday spirit faster than spending hours in long lines at the store or scanning websites trying to find the perfect gift. Even worse is to later give that gift to the recipient and have them look only mildly pleased. What if there were an art to picking out …
There’s an old saying that how we spend our days is essentially how we spend our lives. There’s a lot of truth to this statement, which is why it’s so important to spend your day in a way that moves you closer towards your goals. Creating a plan for your day gives you clarity, helps …
Now that you know what your values and goals are, you can begin planning your week. We’ve all felt that Sunday panic for the week ahead. We’ve all left things until the last minute and then complained at the end of the week about not having enough time. This anxiety and dread usually happens when …
The purpose of planning is to complete goals in every aspect of your life. Planning allows you to prioritize the events and tasks throughout your day so you can do the things that matter most first. However, in order for you to understand what matters most, you must first have a goal in mind. The …
Continue reading “Organized October – First Steps: How to Plan / Where to Begin”
This month at Franklin Planner, we’re celebrating Organized October. This is an event that encourages everyone to organize their lives and start good habits that will carry them through the rest of the year, and continue into the next. Organization helps lead you to success throughout your life. It means so much more than well-kept …
There are many benefits of reading in your adult life. Reading slows the progress of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, reduces stress and relaxes you, improves focus and concentration, can reduce depressive thoughts, make you more empathetic, improves your general knowledge, boosts sleep quality, and more! There are so many books to choose from, it can …
October arrives, offering cooler weather, richer colors, tempting flavors, and an opportunity to breath, plan and reflect before the holiday season kicks in. October Checklist Pocket Size: PDF October Checklist Compact Size: PDF October Checklist Classic Size: PDF October Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
The weather is slowly starting to cool down, and your instincts are probably telling you that it’s time to stay indoors and watch movies while under a nice, cuddly blanket. But don’t listen quite yet! Autumn is actually the best time of the year to get outside and enjoy the fresh air before winter’s chill …
Top performers, world-class athletes, and overall-successful people all set goals. They all know that when you take the time and effort to set goals, you have a vision to work towards. These actions help you stay focused and act as deterrents to anything less than your main priorities. If you feel you’ve tried setting goals …
For many, the first Monday in September marks the end of summer. It’s the last push to barbecue, swim, and enjoy the sun before cold weather sinks in. But why do we really celebrate Labor Day? Where did it come from? How did it come to pass? At the height of the Industrial Revolution in …
Fall is right around the corner, and as the seasons change, so do the needs of our homes. Although summer isn’t quite over yet, the weather can change quickly and it’s important to be prepared. A bit of attention now will save you costly repairs and aggravation later. The Yard Check and trim your landscaping …
September, for many, begins a new routine. Print, punch, and include this checklist in your planner to help you stay ahead of events, activities and the new season. September Checklist Pocket Size: PDF September Checklist Compact Size: PDF September Checklist Classic Size: PDF September Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey discusses the importance of scheduling time to relax. Just like you can’t cut down a tree with a dull saw, you can’t perform to your greatest extent without taking time to rejuvenate yourself physically, spiritually, mentally, and socially/emotionally. But with September comes a …
Continue reading “Back to Busy – How to Continue Sharpening the Saw”
Summer is coming to a close, bringing with it less opportunities to get away from everyday life. It’s tempting to try and fit in another trip, but maybe it’s time for a staycation. A staycation can be a great option because it saves money, there’s less travel time, and you get to give back to …
Heading back to school this year may mean going back to in-person classes. Kids deserve not to just go back, but to thrive, catch up academically and socially, and have their best year yet. Although regulations will differ depending on the school district, there are a few basics everyone will need. Before you go shopping, …
The school year is drawing closer, causing kids and adults alike to feel excitement and stress about the upcoming changes. Kids who are starting school for the first time or moving to a new school have to make the biggest adjustments, but even moving up a grade comes with new challenges. The good news is …
At Franklin Planner, we offer many different planners for you to choose from. They come in different formats, sizes, and layouts, and it can be difficult to know which is right for you. We know you don’t want to waste time and money trying dozens of planners, so here are a few questions to ask …
Continue reading “Planner Types and Tips – Find YOUR Best Fit”
August wraps up the summer with end of season outings, sporting events, warm nights, summer concerts, state fairs – and prep for a new routine. Take a few minutes daily and weekly to create a successful plan, and a smooth transition into Autumn. Print, punch, and include each Franklin Five Checklist as an extra help …
The Franklin Planner system has been proven to help you be more productive and accomplish your goals. However, if you don’t enjoy the time you spend planning, it will be difficult to be consistent and successful. What can you do to look forward to planning? Make your planner fit your personality and lifestyle! We offer …
Planning is an important skill that helps children complete chores and homework in a timely manner, save money for games and toys, follow rules, and keep track of belongings. This will eventually give them a sense of direction and ignite passion, motivation, and satisfaction. Here are a few simple things you can do to teach …
Although June has come and gone, there’s still time to make the most of your summer. Creating a bucket list is a great way to decide what activities are a “must-do” before September. But how do you make the most of the time you have left? Here are a few ideas to get you started: …
Summer is a time for fun activities, being with family and friends, and enjoying the warm weather. The last thing you want to do is cook over a hot stove while everyone else is having fun! So here are a few easy recipes from our Franklin team proven to cool you off and be a …
Every 4th of July, Americans celebrate the independence of our country. This independence was hard fought for, and something we must continue to support and promote constantly in order to maintain it. But how many of us can say that we are personally independent? Learning to take care of yourself fully, allows for more confidence, …
July brings sunshine, ball games, barbecues, fireworks and traditional family celebrations. Taking a few minutes daily and weekly to plan for summertime success will make all the difference. Print, punch, and include each Franklin Five Checklist as an extra help in your planning sessions. July Checklist Pocket Size: PDF July Checklist Compact Size: PDF July …
Why do you do what you do? It can be easy to get caught up in the day-to-day rush, with shortsighted focus on daily tasks. Take time to step back and look at the roles you play in your life: parent, employee, family member, friend. As you plan, remember that your days reflect your …
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me.” -Jim Valvano Fathers don’t always get the recognition they deserve. Their roles can often get overlooked as they’re traditionally not home as often as mothers and tend to be a bit more distant emotionally. However, the amount of time …
A flag can represent a club, team, state, or country that you’re a part of. By respecting and honoring it, you’re saying that you stand behind that community and the people who are part of it. You may disagree with some aspect of the group, but you’re willing to set that aside to show support …
More than half of American workers have transitioned to working from home since 2020. This has been a good change for many, 77% want to continue even after the pandemic. However, 73% of workers are feeling burned out, with 27% attributing it to no separation between work and home. So what can you do to …
Continue reading “Achieving Balance While Working From Home”
Memorial Day is typically a day for spending time with family and enjoying the warm weather. However, with all of these festivities, it can be easy to forget why we’re really celebrating. Here’s a quick history about the holiday: The day was first celebrated in 1868, originally called “Decoration Day”, a day to decorate the …
For most, June marks the beginning of Summer, warmer weather, and more time spent outdoors. Be proactive in planning time to connect and celebrate. Print, punch, and include each Franklin Five Checklist as an extra help in your planning sessions. June Checklist Pocket Size: PDF June Checklist Compact Size: PDF June Checklist Classic Size: PDF …
For many people, the end of May marks the beginning of summer. School is coming to an end, the weather is warming up, and Memorial Day hosts the first barbeques, pool parties, and picnics. With the world slowly opening up to new possibilities, here are a few virtual and in-person ideas to celebrate the warm …
Feeling busy can be a good thing; it makes us feel needed and satisfied with our day. But how many times has your hectic day felt useless and exhausting? Franklin Covey’s book, “The 5 Choices: The Path to Extraordinary Productivity”, teaches you to shift your thinking and behavior to feel accomplished at the end of …
We’ve all heard that the pen is mightier than the sword, but how does it compare to the keyboard? Research shows that not only does it hold its own, but there are many benefits to this old school practice. Here are a few reasons to break out your notebook and pen. Boosts Creativity A blank …
Mother’s Day is just around the corner and we’re all getting ready to celebrate. This year as you’re picking up the phone to call your mom, you may want to consider adding a few more people to the list. We’re influenced by so many people throughout our lives, it can be hard to keep track. …
Print, punch, and include each Franklin Five Checklist as an extra help in your planning sessions. May Checklist Pocket Size: PDF May Checklist Compact Size: PDF May Checklist Classic Size: PDF May Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
When many people think of journaling, they remember coming home from elementary school or junior high and writing about their newest crush, then hiding it away from the prying eyes of siblings and parents. Luckily, those days are over, and now you can learn the therapeutic properties of journaling. It’s been proven that getting your …
Every day it seems there’s another news story about the deteriorating state of the environment. Global warming, forest fires, plastic in the ocean… it can feel like a daunting task to overcome. At Franklin Planner, we want to make sure we’re doing our part and help others feel capable of doing theirs. What We’re Doing …
Our updated checklist design has a clean look and includes five tasks to try during the month (along with space to create your own). It also includes key dates for the month and a fun color-able border design. We hope you’ll find this to be an extra help in your planning sessions. April Checklist Pocket …
In today’s digital world, many of us have forgotten how powerful paper can be. Paper is more than just wispy white stuff with words on it. It’s your game board, your storage boxes, your lamp shade, even the backing of your bookshelf. Paper is everywhere. And it’s incredibly durable. It can even withstand your hectic …
The pyramids of Egypt have lasted for more than 3,000 years because a pyramid is so structurally sound. In order to create life plans that are equally indestructible, we recommend you use the Productivity Pyramid. As you learn about the Productivity Pyramid, you’ll discover how to give your goals and plans a firm foundation that …
Is it even possible to manage time? Watch our Planner Training videos and see how improving your time management skills can help you reach your goals and become more productive. Learn to define time. Discover the basic unit of time. Develop an understanding of what you can and can’t control. Learn how to focus your …
The Franklin Planner enables me to define my values and top priorities, set goals, and do the things that will bring my behavior in line with those things that matter most in my life! The planning system not only helps me plan for events in the future, but it also serves as a journal for …
You spoke and we listened! Starting with March 2021 we welcome back the monthly Franklin Five form. We’ve updated the design with a cleaner look that includes five tasks to try during the month (along with space to create your own). It also has key dates for the month and a fun colorable border design. …
Stephen R. Covey reminds us that Habit 7: Sharpen The Saw is the single most important thing we can do. At first that might sound selfish, but when you consider that you are your most important asset, it makes more sense. How will you provide for yourself and others if you aren’t prepared with …
Where do you see yourself in five years? Are the things you’re doing today going to get you there? If they aren’t, what do you need to change? We’re all motivated by our desires. We hope, we dream, we look ahead and project a spark of inspiration onto an imagined future reality. As we …
If you’re lucky, there are people in your life who matter to you—people with whom you’d like to develop a strong relationship of trust. Our interactions with others are the essence of life. Relationships are so powerful and important that they become an entity in themselves. That’s what synergy is all about—one plus one …
In the book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen R. Covey asks you to imagine that you stumble across a man working feverishly to cut down a tree. After more than five hours, he’s exhausted and feeling beaten. When you ask why he won’t stop to sharpen his saw, the man replies, …
by Dave Ulacia You never know when the organizing bug is going to bite. When it does, you could find yourself mucking out the storage shed in November or organizing the game closet in July. So in an effort to alleviate this problem, we thought it would be nice to give you a few things …
You may have noticed that when we talk about our planners we call them planning systems. Why do we do that? Because the Franklin Planner is more than a to-do list, it is a system to help you organize, prioritize, and recall information from your life. Think of your Franklin Planner as a tool box. …
It’s that time of year when most people start thinking about goals and resolutions for the new year. You know what I’m talking about – those things we think we should do but we don’t really want to do. Somehow, though, with the start of a new year, we have fresh motivation and think this …
Continue reading “Tired of Failed New Year’s Resolutions? Try It This Way Instead”
It doesn’t take long for any of us to think of projects we’d like to finish, new skills we’d like to try, or talents we’d like to increase. Living a fulfilling life is all about creating new and meaningful experiences. These things require planning—they won’t just happen on their own. But sometimes we’re so buried …
The size of the planner you choose depends a lot on the way you use it. Discover the planner size that best fits your life!
Here are three ways your Franklin Planner can help keep your budget healthy during the holidays: Individualized Gift Budget Tracker Take a moment today and write out a list of everyone you plan on giving gifts to this holiday season. You can include your family members, extended family members, neighbors, coworkers, teachers, caregivers, and others …
Continue reading “3 Ways to Use Your Planner for Holiday Budgeting”
December is here! Time to prepare for the upcoming holidays and more family time. Here are a few things to add to your list: December Checklist Pocket Size: PDF December Checklist Compact Size: PDF December Checklist Classic Size: PDF December Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
Have you started your holiday shopping yet? Whether you have or not, give yourself some peace of mind by having your gift giving organized and in one place. Download this Holiday Gift List and track who you’re giving the gift to, what it is, how much it cost, and its wrapping status! Pocket size – …
Now, more than ever, we need a break from the stressors of the daily grind. Usually the holiday season is the perfect respite we’re all looking for. However, without proper planning this busy time of year can simply add anxiety to your already crazy life. And this year, living a ‘normal’ life has been crazier …
Greek mythology tells a story of the arrogant and deceitful Sisyphus, king of Ephyra, who tricked and trapped the god of the underworld. As a punishment, he was forced to push an immense boulder up a hill for eternity. Each time he nears the top, the stone rolls back to the bottom. One can assume …
Welcome November! The month of gratitude is here! As the holidays approach, take time to safely plan family time and what matters most to you. Here are some more things to add to your list: November Checklist Pocket Size: PDF November Checklist Compact Size: PDF November Checklist Classic Size: PDF November Checklist Monarch Size: PDF
As Organized October winds to a close, it’s time to consolidate your planning system. We encourage you to keep your plans, goals, schedules, and daily records all in one planning system, so you can easily remember past events, prepare for upcoming events, and change your plans whenever necessary. We live in a world that is …
When you ask the most successful people to share their secrets, you’ll find that their solution is almost always the same. They set goals and worked harder and longer than their peers—devoting their lives to mastering their craft. It’s nothing new. We’re all trying to do the same. As we take a few weeks …
Organized October is all about pulling yourself together before the rush of the holidays and the start of a new year. If you plan well, the four weeks of October can give you a significant boost. October is an ideal time to organize the kids’ rooms, your closets, filing cabinets, refrigerator, or whatever else may …
As 2020 careens to a close, we’re eagerly anticipating 2021. It’s got to be better, right? Did you notice that when your plans for 2020 were superseded by huge events, you still found yourself using your planner? In fact, you’ve likely used it more than ever over the past several months—rescheduling family vacations, organizing home-schooling …
