How well are you using your planner? Is it helping you stay focused and productive, or does it feel like just another thing on your to-do list?
Our Community Coach, Arienne Gorlach, recently appeared on CGTV America, where she shared how planning is not just about listing tasks but about creating real momentum towards meaningful change.
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If you want to make your planner work for you, here are some of the biggest takeaways from Arienne’s interview, along with practical ways to put them into action.
What makes a great paper planner?
A lot of people start the year with a fresh planner but struggle to use it consistently. So what actually makes a great planner?
Arienne’s insight: A good planner is not just a book for writing to-do lists. It should be a tool that helps you bring your dreams and goals into reality. Otherwise, it is just a book with text.
The best planners help you set goals, track progress, and stay focused on what is important. A great planner should be structured but also flexible enough to work with your lifestyle.
The best planners allow you to:
✔ Organise your daily and weekly tasks with ease
✔ Cultivate reflection and journaling habits
✔ Set meaningful goals and track your progress effortlessly
Why is writing things down more effective than digital planning?
With so many digital planning tools available, is handwriting still relevant? Science says yes.
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Arienne’s insight: Writing things down improves memory, focus, and motivation much more than typing. It helps you visualise your future and take intentional steps towards it.
Studies show that handwriting activates different parts of the brain, making it easier to absorb and retain information. Digital tools are great for scheduling and reminders, but writing things down allows for better clarity, processing, and goal-setting.
If you want to make your goals feel more real, try using:
✔ A notebook for brainstorming ideas
✔ A journal for reflection
✔ A planner to map out action steps and progress tracking
How did the pandemic change the way people plan?
Planning has evolved beyond just keeping schedules. Many now use it as a tool for self-reflection, goal-setting, and creating a more intentional life.
Arienne’s insight: The pandemic forced many of us to reflect on what was and was not working in our lives. Planning became more than just a way to organise schedules; it became a way to reset, regain control, and track personal growth.
If you are looking to gain clarity, build better habits, and track your personal growth, self-development journals and planners can be powerful tools to help you stay on track.
Here are some ways to make the most of them:
✔ Use a planner to reflect on challenges and progress
✔ Write down personal goals and break them into actionable steps
✔ Track habits and routines to stay accountable
What is the best way to stay committed to using a planner?
Starting a planner is easy, but how do you make it part of your routine?
Arienne’s insight: Planning is a habit. Just like strengthening a muscle, planning daily helps you feel more in control of your life. The key is to see your planner as more than a tool, it is a mindset shift.
Using a planner, structured journal, or habit tracker can help make planning an easy and enjoyable part of your daily life.
To build a consistent planning habit, try this:
✔ Make it part of your morning or evening routine
✔ Set small, clear goals to keep yourself motivated
✔ Keep it simple so it does not feel like a chore
Paper vs digital planning. Should you use one or both?
Should you go fully digital, stick with paper planning, or combine both?
Arienne’s insight: Digital tools are great for shared schedules and quick updates, but paper planners help with deep thinking, goal-setting, and seeing your progress at a glance. A mix of both can give you the best of both worlds.
The best system is the one that fits into your lifestyle and keeps you accountable.
If you want to balance digital convenience with paper-based reflection, try this approach:
✔ Use digital calendars for appointments and work schedules
✔ Use a paper planner for goal-setting, strategic thinking, and personal organisation
✔ Review your planner weekly to check progress and realign goals
4 Takeaways from Arienne’s Interview
- A planner should be a tool for action, not just organisation. It is meant to help you think, plan, and take steps towards your goals, not just store tasks.
- Writing things down helps with memory, clarity, and focus. Digital planners can be useful, but handwriting your goals can make them feel more real and achievable.
- Your planner should work for you, not the other way around. The best planning system is one that fits your needs and keeps you accountable.
- Consistency is key. The most effective planners are the ones that are used regularly. Even five minutes a day of planning can help you stay on track.
Does your planner set you up for success?
If you’re unsure whether your current planner is truly helping you achieve your goals, ask yourself:
✔ Does it help you prioritise tasks and reduce overwhelm?
✔ Is there space for goal-setting and reflection?
✔ Can you track progress and celebrate milestones?
✔ Does it fit your lifestyle without feeling like a chore?
If you answered “no” to any of these, it might be time to rethink your approach—or find a planner that truly supports you. LH Agenda Planners are thoughtfully designed to check all these boxes, helping you stay organised, inspired, and on track.
Planning is more than productivity. It is about designing the life you want.
Seeing Arienne bring these insights to a global audience was an exciting moment for our community. Whether you are setting personal goals, building habits, or leading a team, planning with intention makes all the difference.
By using a planner, journal, or structured organiser, you can turn ideas into action, stay motivated, and create meaningful progress towards your goals.
What is your biggest takeaway from Arienne’s insights?
Missed the interview? Watch it here! Watch Now
Arienne Gorlach is a life coach with a background in marketing, administration, and running her own planner and coaching business. She helped create and deliver the financial literacy campaign 10thousandgirl, is LH Agenda’s Community Coach, and loves all things related to planners, life design, goal setting, productivity, time management, and intentional living.
