Among the many Christmas gifts that “keep giving” one of the very best gifts can be the gift of a weekly personal planner.

Now, I’m not saying it’s the perfect gift to give every year or the perfect gift for everyone, but – really – a personal planner is the type of gift that everyone should get a least once in their lifetime, even if it’s a gift you give to yourself.

Because getting a firm handle on your time and you personal “to do list” can be a life changer, a life saver or just plain life improving.

I know. I used to use one. For years.

And right about now I’m getting myself aligned with using one again, because there’s never enough time lately for many things that matter and there’s just a bit too much “not getting things done” for my liking.

There’s many ways to go about planning your life, but I have found that having a “hard copy” – a hold in my hands, leave open on the table – version of a personal weekly or daily planner is what works. Why? Because “it’s there”, in plain sight. I don’t have to turn anything on to see it. In print I never have to worry about whether my batter is charged. I can, in a pinch, tear out a page and shove it in a pocket.

I also believe in back-ups. I also use digital planners. I also use index cards. Why? Because when it’s time to get things done ultimately I believe in doing what works. For me, what works, is easy access, redundancy, fail-safes, etc.

So, if you or someone you know has not yet confronted the important issue of getting their life organized, may I suggest that you look into products known as daily or weekly planners. Perhaps one of the best known brands of hard-copy planner is “Franklin Covey” or “Daytimer” or “Dayrunner”.

And while your shopping for that consider the benefits of buying your beneficiary-student a desk calendar, as there’s nothing quite as effective as having a big “Accounting Exam” note written on Thursday, December 10th – staring back from the desktop at the concerned student. ;)

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