{"id":714,"date":"2021-01-19T13:03:53","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T13:03:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/?p=714"},"modified":"2026-03-31T19:48:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T02:48:23","slug":"how-to-use-weekly-planner-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/how-to-use-weekly-planner-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"How to use a weekly planner in 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After the chaos of 2020, we could all use a little more Zen, a little more ease, a little more <em>happiness<\/em> in 2021. Cue the weekly planner. While some may claim it\u2019s just a glorified diary, we\u2019re here to explain why it\u2019s actually your key to all of the above. Here\u2019s how to use a weekly planner efficiently and to your advantage&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The benefits of a weekly planner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You won\u2019t be surprised to read that, here at Captain Notepad, we\u2019re big <a href=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/writing-paper\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fans of stationery<\/a>. In our digitally saturated society, we believe stepping away from our screens wherever possible is a really healthy move. Here are some other perks to owning a weekly planner\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It\u2019s the way to a calmer, more organized life<\/li><li>It\u2019s a chance to plan and reflect<\/li><li>It\u2019ll decrease stress<\/li><li>You\u2019ll be more productive<\/li><li>It could inspire new ideas&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li><li>You\u2019ll never forget a birthday or anniversary again<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"wekly-calendar\" class=\"wp-image-720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-kaboompics-com-6374-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Captain Notepad guide to using a weekly planner<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Choose a weekly planner that you look forward to using<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It sounds obvious, but by picking out a planner that you love, you\u2019re much more likely to use it. It might be a super-slick corporate number, or of the colorful, retro variety. The bottom line is the ideal week planner represents <em>your<\/em> personality. Take a look at Pinterest for design &#8211; it\u2019s packed with weekly planner ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Pick a day to plan everything<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c<em>A Sunday well spent brings a week of content\u201d <\/em>\u2013 or so the saying goes. We tend to agree. So prepare for the week ahead by getting your planner ready \u2013 maybe after a relaxing bath or dinner with the family. Get comfortable and jot down any events, tasks, and reminders you need to. It\u2019ll give you a chance to pause and reflect before Monday morning arrives and it\u2019s go-go-go, plus you\u2019ll feel calmer and more organized knowing it\u2019s all written out and ready \u2013 empowered to take on the week ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Incorporate color coding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Colour coding is majorly satisfying, and it\u2019s also great for clarity \u2013 especially if you\u2019re in a rush, which we often are. It\u2019s up to you how you do it \u2013 you might want to write family events in one shade, and work to-dos in another, for example. Alternatively, you could add colored <a href=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/stickers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stickers<\/a> next to each entry, or overlay each category with a different highlighter. Whichever route you go down, it\u2019s a good way of understanding the week\u2019s tasks and responsibilities at a glance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"681\" src=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-1024x681.jpg\" alt=\"weekly-planner\" class=\"wp-image-721\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-1024x681.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-bich-tran-760710-2048x1363.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Keep an \u2018as-and-when\u2019 to-do list<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a helpful life hack, as it can really take the pressure off. Instead of assigning personal to-dos to each day, simply write a list that you\u2019ll dip in and out of when you have time that week &#8211; in the notes section or along the bottom of the pages. It stops days feeling quite so overwhelming. Here\u2019s an example of a list you might tick off bit by bit throughout the week:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Schedule dentist appointment for next month<\/li><li>Order Jenny\u2019s birthday present&nbsp;<\/li><li>Order new contact lenses<\/li><li>Make a summer holiday shortlist<\/li><li>Send a thank you card to Grandma<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Do a little dreamin\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Some weekly planners come with daily affirmations, space to write down gratitude lists, and sections for weekly goals. Even if you choose one that doesn\u2019t contain these features, you\u2019re likely to have space for notes, as mentioned above. Use space. It\u2019s important that we think beyond the day-to-day tasks that swallow up much of our week and make time for the bigger picture stuff. You\u2019d be surprised at how beneficial this is from a mental health perspective, as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Make time for yourself!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Chances are, you\u2019ll fill your week up with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/business-cards\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">work commitments<\/a>, family responsibilities, and life admin tasks before you know it! It\u2019s crucial to take time-out for yourself, too. If that\u2019s part of your way of life anyway and you don\u2019t even have to think about it, great! Others need a little nudge. If you\u2019re in the latter category, be sure to jot down reminders. Things like \u2018<em>do 20 minutes of reading<\/em>\u2019, or \u2018<em>go for a long walk<\/em>\u2019. You\u2019ll be glad you did.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ready to recharge and reorganize? Check out Captain Notepad\u2019s range of <\/strong><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/calendars\/weekly-planners\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>weekly planners<\/strong><\/a><strong>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/notepads\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"256\" src=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/personalized-notepads-for-business-1024x256.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/personalized-notepads-for-business-1024x256.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/personalized-notepads-for-business-300x75.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/personalized-notepads-for-business-768x192.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/personalized-notepads-for-business.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After the chaos of 2020, we could all use a little more Zen, a little more ease, a little more happiness in 2021. Cue the weekly planner. While some may claim it\u2019s just a glorified diary, we\u2019re here to explain why it\u2019s actually your key to all of the above. Here\u2019s how to use a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":719,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[131],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-planners"],"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"full":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",2474,1862,false]},"categories_names":{"131":{"name":"Planners","link":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/category\/planners\/"}},"tags_names":[],"comments_number":"0","wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",300,226,false],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",275,207,false],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",400,301,false],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",600,452,false],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",1024,771,false],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",126,95,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/pexels-michaela-295826.jpg",2474,1862,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=714"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2157,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/714\/revisions\/2157"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.captainnotepad.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}