# Mastering Time With The Franklin Planner: Key Lessons In Productivity!  ## Initial Use and Transition to Trusting the System - An update is provided on a 3-month experiment with using a [[Franklin Planner | Franklin planner]] for productivity, with significant changes occurring about 2 weeks prior to the update [(00:00:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=19s). - Initially, the planner was used for daily planning, but it wasn't fully utilized until about 2 months into the experiment, when it started being referred to frequently between work sessions [(00:00:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=54s). - The change is attributed to finally trusting the Franklin planner system, which took around 2 months, and overcoming the habit of constantly switching between apps or tools [(00:01:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=82s). - Before fully trusting the planner, Todoist was used as a backup and referred to 3-4 times a day to ensure no tasks were forgotten [(00:01:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=92s). - A significant change occurred on December 1st, with planner entries showing more detailed planning and a proper planning of the day [(00:01:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=106s). - In contrast, November's entries were less detailed, indicating a lack of trust in the system at the time [(00:02:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=125s). - Todoist is still used for routine admin tasks and recurring tasks, such as paying bills, which are set up as reminders in [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Reminders [(00:02:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=173s). - The use of Todoist is now limited to the end of the day, when reviewing routine admin tasks, and an admin hour is allocated for these tasks [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=237s). - The [[Franklin Planner | Franklin planner]] is used for planning and organizing tasks, while Todoist is used for managing recurring tasks and reminders [(00:04:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=240s). ## Current Use and Integration with Other Tools - Protecting time for administration and communications is crucial to avoid backlogs, with at least an hour dedicated to each task daily [(00:04:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=253s). - Scheduling time for tasks and appointments helps to stay on top of work and avoid overwhelming situations [(00:04:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=279s). - Using a digital calendar for scheduling coaching calls and other appointments is useful, but a physical calendar is better suited for daily tasks and appointments [(00:05:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=306s). - The [[Franklin Planner]] system is used to schedule daily appointments and tasks, allowing for a clear view of the day's activities [(00:05:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=328s). - Time blocking is used to protect time for creative work, with 9:30-11:30 a.m. being the most productive time for creative tasks [(00:05:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=357s). - Writing down tasks and appointments for the day helps to create a clear picture of the day's schedule and identify available time for tasks [(00:05:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=342s). - Having a clear view of the day's tasks and appointments helps to make the day's work feel less overwhelming and more manageable [(00:07:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=457s). - Drawing a line under completed tasks helps to separate them from new tasks that may arise, a technique learned from the Franklin Planner training video [(00:07:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=469s). - The Franklin planner is used to write down random notes and reminders that need to be remembered, without assigning a priority or categorization, and then scheduling them for the next day or later [(00:08:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=498s). - The planner is used in conjunction with Todoist, a digital system, to ensure that all tasks and reminders are accounted for, and to review the inbox daily to stay on top of tasks [(00:09:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=540s). - The [[Franklin Planner | Franklin planner]] is effective for planning out the day, and is used to collect notes and ideas, which are then indexed and referenced in the calendar section [(00:09:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=571s). - Each note or idea is numbered and dated, and the index is used to quickly reference and find specific notes [(00:09:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=573s). - The planner is used to store simple notes and ideas, and to make quick notes about topics, such as the comparison between [[Evernote]] and [[Apple Inc. | Apple]] Notes [(00:10:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=612s). - A storage binder is used to store completed planners, and a new one has been ordered for 2026 [(00:10:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=639s). - The planner is used at a desk in the morning, and the storage binder is kept nearby for easy reference [(00:10:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=646s). ## Benefits and Continued Use - The use of the [[Franklin Planner | Franklin planner]] has helped to feel more in touch with life, and has provided a sense of intentionality and control over daily tasks and schedule [(00:11:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=682s). - The planner has been used as part of an experiment, which is set to end in two weeks, but it is likely that its use will continue due to its effectiveness [(00:11:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=676s). - Using a Franklin planner has helped to feel completely on top of everything by reviewing notes made during the day to see if anything has been missed, and writing down issues that need to be dealt with [(00:11:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=717s). - The planner provides a clear and realistic picture of the day, allowing for a sense of control and the ability to make dispassionate decisions about when to deal with issues [(00:12:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=778s). - The daily tracker section is used to record daily activities, such as sending money or paying bills, making it easy to keep track of transactions [(00:13:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=831s). - The goal section is used to plan and organize goals for 2025, and has been a great tool for throwing in notes and bringing everything together [(00:14:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=898s). - The planner has been a revelation and has helped to reduce feelings of overwhelm and stress by forcing a realistic view of the day's tasks [(00:13:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=797s). - The planner is used in conjunction with digital tools such as [[Evernote]] and a digital calendar, but is the primary tool for planning and organization [(00:15:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=927s). - The Montello paper is preferred over the leadership pages due to its simplicity and lack of distractions, and is used with a Lami 2000 pen and Diamine Prussian Blue ink [(00:13:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=833s). - The planner has helped to create a sense of being in control and has made it possible to look back on the day and say it has been productive [(00:13:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=826s). ## Additional Resources and Closing - There are a few other videos on the [[Franklin Planner | Franklin planner]] available to watch, which can be found in the information section below for further reference [(00:15:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=948s). - These additional videos can be accessed to look back at the content and learn more about the Franklin planner [(00:15:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=952s). - A productive week is wished to all viewers as a closing message [(00:15:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SRwbTWntXtI&t=956s).