Nowadays, it’s hard to find anyone over the age of 13 without a smartphone. Digital technology has become commonplace in our world. It makes sense. There are a lot of things you can do incredibly well with a smartphone. Your phone is full of contact information that you can access instantly. You can set …
When we think of technology, we rarely think of paper and pen. Typically, we focus on the most recent advancements in science, medicine, travel, or communication. But for two thousand years paper has been, and will continue to be, a fascinating technological advancement. Just because paper is common today, that doesn’t make it any …
There are two essential parts to accomplishing any goal. First comes the planning phase, where you: Define the steps you need to take Develop a strategy for accomplishing them Schedule a timeline to complete them Once the plan is in place, it’s up to you to handle the execution of your plan, making sure that …
With all the cool devices at our fingertips, perhaps the best gadget is one invented centuries ago—the pen. That’s why so many people continue to use paper planners, calendars, and notepads. Today, technology is growing ever more prevalent and convenient, so our challenge is to keep it all in sync. How do we do that? …
Earth Day is on April 22nd, which often brings up questions and misconceptions about our reliance on paper and what we can each do to be the most environmentally-friendly as possible. Paper has run the full gambit – from being the best, to vilified, and back again. There’s a lot of misunderstanding and false info …
Our technology has become an integral part of us and our lives. Yet, somewhere along the line, we tend to forget why it’s there and who is in charge. Technology has many benefits and rewards—in fact, the positive list literally goes on and on. However, scientific studies are showing that there are both positive and …
“If we can find ways to awaken the full power of awareness, we could enter a new phase of human evolution and revitalize ourselves and our world.” –Tarthang Tulku Have you ever completed a daily commute and realize you hardly remember any of it? Do you sometimes finish a lecture or podcast and can’t recall …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
You weren’t born to fail. Your talents, interests, and desires can make a difference. However, struggle is a huge part of life. The struggles you face can be hard—even devastating, but they don’t have to destroy your hope. Wayne Dyer said it this way, “When you change the way you look at things, the …
Have you noticed that the world we live in is growing ever more chaotic? Today’s digital information age is overwhelming our minds and sabotaging our productivity. We’re constantly interacting with our devices—being bombarded with noise, alarms, and the urgencies of the day. It’s exhausting! With all that is coming at us, it’s hard to …
As a community of planners, we all know the benefits of planning firsthand. Yet each one of us is a unique individual. We have different interests, different life experiences, and different personalities, so chances are, we each plan differently too. Your Franklin Planner is immensely customizable, because it’s designed to help you focus on exactly …
Continue reading “Our Staff’s Planners: What Planners Do We Use?”
The Writing Instrument Manufacturers Association established National Handwriting Day in 1977. Of course, their motive for the holiday was to encourage us to use pens, pencils, and writing paper. They chose a fitting day for the holiday—January 23, John Hancock’s birthday. He was the first to sign the Declaration Of Independence, and he wrote …
September is Self-Improvement month. If you plan it right, you can make every month self-improvement month. You increase your power when you invest in yourself, and there are several ways to do that. Here are five suggestions to get you started: Take time to unplug. We grow best when we have time to think. Devices, …
