If you’re too busy for God, then you are just too busy! Can I get an Amen, Sista?
Addressing our busyness can be a challenge. Especially, if we’re not honest with how we spend our time. And if you really want to know what’s important to you, take a look at your checkbook and your calendar. (Hello – Somebody!)
As a wife, mother, who works, serves in ministry and runs this blog, I’m often asked how I manage to get everything done. In the past, I’ve shared 4 ways I avoid overcommitting. In which one of those ways is by using a planner. I like to tell people behind every successful woman is a prayer and a planner!
Behind Every Successful Woman Is A Prayer And A Planner! Click To Tweet
Let me clarify. Any planner just won’t do! The type of planner you use is the key, and I found this out the hard way.
I started out using a plain calendar from the store. But my writing space was restricted, and it was entirely too business-like.
So I jumped on the ban wagon of the bullet journal craze. And I loved it; because of the flexibility and creativity it offers. I also appreciated the ability to combine my entire life in one place. This helped me to combine my calendar, instead of having a separate one for home, church and our blog.
Well, in my mind, I created what I thought was the perfect system.
After using this system for 5 months, I discovered the calendar portion was not working for me. I simply did not have the time each month to draw out my monthly or weekly spread. Not to mention, while I loved the creativity portion, I just didn’t have it.
Yes, I love to decorate my home and put beautiful gifts together. But to be real with you, if I have to draw or doodle…let’s just say that is not my expertise. And I’m not afraid to admit it!
From Bullet Journal To DaySpring Agenda Planner
Over the last few weeks, I’ve been searching for the perfect planner. Something that is not too big, yet not too small. I need to be able to keep my calendar concise for my entire life, looks pretty and includes some encouragement without me having to draw or write it!
And guess what I found an Agenda Planner by DaySpring!
I love the size, and the space to write. But most importantly, I love the beautiful designs, and encouragement that I don’t have to draw or write myself. Can we say time-saver?
Having the calendar and all the other details completed for me, allows me to use my planner peacefully and saves me time.
And if that wasn’t enough, there’s more…..ADD-ON’s!
Yes, they have a variety of add-on’s that can be used to personalize your planner.
Although I assign tasks throughout the week, there are some tasks, calls or errands I need to run that I like to keep on a separate list and not in my weekly calendar. So I love the flexibility I have to keep a list that I can easily added to my weekly spread by simply attaching it with a paper clip or washi tape.
I have also found that it is easier to insert these add on’s at the front of the planner so that your planner can remain flat, which makes writing so much easier.
Another way I’ve found to use the DaySpring Agenda Planner for encouragement is by inserting a spiritual concept I want to focus on for the week.
In the example below I show how you can use Illustrated Faith notecards in the planner; making it easier to mediate on.
The key to a devotion is meditating on the Word God gives you. Many times when we read our Bible, and God gives us something, we ponder on it, and then put our Bibles away.
But when we keep that Word in front of us, it helps us to mediate on what God is speaking to us. This is a great way to use you devotional cards or even an index card with a scripture that God has put on your heart.
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ~ Joshua 1:8 (NLT)
Hold on I’m not finished, there’s more! In the back of the planner there are blank pages for notes, and a cute envelope to hold a few things!
Speaking of these additional pages, it brings me to another way, I am excited to use this planner. I can incorporate the pieces of the Bullet Journal that I love.
Incorporating Bullet Journal Technique
One of the things I value most about the Bullet Journal, is that the system provides a way to help you determine whether you are busy or productive. This is accomplished by using a “KEY” to help you track the progress of your tasks. (If you are not familiar with the Bullet Journal system, you can watch the creator of the Bullet Journal here.)
The “KEY” I created to keep track of my tasks, I incorporated in my new DaySpring Agenda Planner by using one of my Illustrated Faith Devotional Cards.
Another aspect that I love about the Bullet Journal is the ability to create lists. I have a huge family and keeping track of birthdays, and anniversaries can get crazy if it’s not written down.
So the birthday and anniversary list I created in my bullet journal, I decided to incorporate in my new planner. I did this by using the graph paper that’s included in the back of the planner.
Symphony of Efficiency
While I appreciate the flexibility, and creativity of the Bullet Journal; I would however, prefer to separate the calendar portion. This helps me remain productive without spending time, I don’t have, drawing everything out. Not to mention, it takes the pressure off of feeling like I need to be an artist to make my planner pretty.
The symphony of efficiency for me is to use the DaySpring Agenda Planner to keep track of my calendar and daily tasks. And I will continue to utilize the Bullet Journal for all the other aspects I love (the lists, and tracking).
The list, and tracking I keep in my bullet journal may not change yearly. However, my calendar does. Therefore, by separating my calendar, I can easily start a new one every year.
By keeping my lists, and tracking separate, I can continue to use the bullet journal, until I’ve used all the pages. This will eliminate having to transfer all the list or collections from one bullet journal to the next every year.
So, tell me. What’s your symphony of efficiency? How do you keep track of your schedule and productivity? Share it with me in the comment section below, I love discovering new ways to manage my productivity.
~ Timberley Gray
Hi Timberley, I’m looking to create a prayer/study kind of journal. I would like to track prayers and praises, my daily quiet time, time involved in service, etc. But I don’t see too many ideas for templates. Can you share any ideas that you have? Blessings!
Good Morning Tanya! I love to hear when others feel the pressing in their hearts to have that quiet time with God. I have actually written two blog posts about our quiet time with Him. You can can read; Why We Need A War Room (and what you need to create one) by clicking this link:
—> https://livingourpriorities.com/need-war-room/
And I have also written a blog on Do You Keep Track of Your Answered Prayers? You can read that by clicking this link:
—> https://livingourpriorities.com/do-you-keep-track-of-your-answered-prayers/
DaysSpring does carry a Praise Book in which the blog link I just gave you for keeping track of answered prayers you will find it in there. I will be writing future posts on how I journal which is completely different from how I use my day-to-day planner. I have discovered that when I journal the things God has given me, I would rather that be kept somewhere private. My planner is constantly out in the open and many times what I journal is between me and God. I hope this helps you in some way. Please continue to visit us often for future inspiration. ~ Blessings
Timberly you are truly amazing. Love ya????
Oh Yvonne you are too kind. Thank you for stopping by to read. Much love back to you. God Bless You!
I really really loved this post so Good. I totally believe that prayer and a planner is behind every successful women. I recently add to return a planner because it didn’t have lines so now I’m working with a nice 5×8 and testing it out . Because I love buying stationary I always tell my self the agenda I buy I must use it for the year. But anyways like yourself this planner has many purposes God , School , work , serving and fun stuff so I hope it works . I really enjoyed reading this post and another great agenda ou may like is called the happy planner which are on sales at Michaels just incase you need a little more wiggle room.
Hi Desiree thank you for reading. Yes I love the flexibility this planner has. The next time I’m at Michael’s I will have to check it out, at least for some inspiration because I am committed to this one until I finish it. Not too mention I absolutely love it! ….LOL. ~ Blessings
I love it, I’m glad I didn’t go along with the bullet journal because it looked like too much work. This works for me. Thank you for sharing. I am going to have to look into ordering one.
Glad you liked the post Jewel. Yes I agree, the bullet journal is a little work, which is why I find it easier to separate my calendar. I’m totally enjoying my new DaySpring Planner, so you got my vote to purchase one! ~ Blessings
Miss Timberley,
I love this new planner you’re using and all of the addons. I am usually a 2 planner kind of girl, one for life and one for prayer and praise. I’ve been through 5 (maybe 6) planners this past year and still haven’t found one that fits my needs as a prayer and praise journal. Thank you for showing us the new Dayspring planner. I was on the fence before, but definitely want to try the Dayspring planner (Illustrated Faith version) now. It looks like it provides plenty of space to write down prayer lists or just a simple prayer. Oh yes, I am going to steal the way you included your legend/key at the front of the planner too. Love it. Thanks again.
Hi Kimberly! I just logged on this morning and too see your comment first thing was a great blessing. Feel free to steal that idea of using the key (or legend), that key makes all the difference in determining if we are busy or productive. I’m sure you will love using the DaySpring Illustrated Faith Versions; there are a few to choose from. And when you do, send me a picture I would love to see how you use it. You can email it to me at:
info@livingourpriorities.com Thank you for reading. ~ Blessings
Wow this style of planner really speaks to me! I have been looking for a system to keep me on track and organized and this just might be it. I want something that is already pretty and embellished because like you, I’m not the most artistic with drawing. My favorite thing that you shared and the thing that has me convinced I need one of these planners is the ability to add notes and other pieces of paper to the planner itself so that all my lists and reminders can live in one place. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Carrie for reading! Yes, I am so with you on the artistic thing, it is so not me. But I’m enjoying this pretty planner without me doing the labor! Glad this post resonated with you. If you purchase one the DaySpring planners I would love to see it. You can send me a picture at info@livingourpriorities.com ~ Blessings
Love it! Having a planner that is easy to use makes it more enjoyable to navigate your day. When your organize, it lessens your stress level. I really like that you can add scriptures that you can always revert to when you need it at your fingertips. Thank you for explaining this particular planner with great details that makes it easier for us consumers to decide what our symphony of efficiency looks like.
You are so right Tamar, when our day-to-day activities are organized, it truly minimizes the stress. Adding devotions or Scriptures was key for me because it helps me to be mindful of God’s promises throughout my day. Thank you for stopping by to read, and I hope you find your symphony of efficiency whether it is with this planner or another. ~ Blessings.
Okay Timberley,
What are you doing to me? I’m very tempted to purchase ANOTHER journal planner because you’ve shown me how to utilize it in a better way lol. I just love those cute paper clips!
You are so funny Natalie! I know I love those paperclips. Thank you for stopping by to read! ~ Blessings
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