Working World

When I was much younger, I remember going to a meeting where everyone who walked in was carrying a day planner. The planners were even the same brand. Everyone sat down and almost simultaneously opened their books and, I swear, they were even on the same page. It made me sick.

Needless to say, it was several years before I could admit something. You guessed it. Day planners work. Now I use one daily and, really, you should too. Unless of course you’ve mastered a BlackBerry or iPhone, but they’re day planning with a capital D.

Nothing keeps you more on track and on top of things than a calendar. The wonderful part is, unlike my colleagues, not everyone needs to use the same kind. You can buy a standard one-day-per-page planner, or you can invest in a book that has a month on each page. If you have many details to keep in mind, perhaps a book with two pages per day is more appropriate.

I like the plain vanilla type, but you can find planners that support a favorite cause or have a daily inspirational thought. Pick one with cats on each page, if that’s your thing. Go inexpensive the first couple of times until you hit on a format that works for you. Later, invest in a leather-bound book that you refill each year.

Bottom line — don’t trust details to memory. Put them in the planner and carry it with you. You will be glad.