How To Use the Balance Bound Planner: DATED WEEKLY Format
by Brooke Forry
The Balance Bound Planner is intuitively designed in a way that’s easy to follow so you can plan your days simply and without extra labor.
Previously we’ve broken down the differences between the weekly vs daily planner to help you decide which format is the best one to fit your life. Now, we're outlining the features of the daily planner vs weekly planner formats we offer, and how to use them.
First up: the OG Balance Bound Planner with Dated Weekly format.
But first, a personal anecdote.
I had tested out many planners before, and I had tried creating my own bullet journal theme. Other planners didn't have enough space for me, or the right sections that I was craving to simplify and organize my daily tasks. Daily self care planners didn't have room for the rest of my life; a bullet journal felt like too much to maintain and it was creating more work for me each day, rather than simplifying my days. I prefer annual planners that are already laid out for me — I just wasn't finding the right one.
I created the Balance Bound Planner out of necessity because it was what I needed to make sense of the many roles I played and numerous tasks I was responsible for each day. Now, we are thrilled that our customers feel it's one of the best planners for women and men who juggle All. The. Things. just like we do.
binding styles available:
The Dated Weekly Balance Bound Planner is available in wire or book bound formats. The interior layouts are identical — the biggest difference, aside from the binding itself, is that the wire bound Dated Weekly planners come with monthly tabs on the calendar pages and the book bound variations do not. However, monthly tab stickers are available to add to the book bound version if you’d like.
INSIDE EVERY DATED WEEKLY PLANNER:
Monthly calendar spreads
For your 2023 monthly planning needs, we have included full calendar spreads for January through December, with space on the left for monthly goals/priorities, and the prior/next month at-a-glance on the right. (The image above shows our book binding, but remember: the layout is identical in both the book and wire bound versions.)
Weekly Goals/Priorities tracking
We’ve included an area for weekly goals/priorities on the far left of each weekday spread (Monday through Friday) to keep track of those big picture items that you’d like to be top-of-mind each week. This is also your quick-reference guide for the icons used to represent the four signature sections. (Keep reading to learn more about these!)
Vertical sections for organizing your daily tasks
Planners for work are important... but what about the rest of your life? The four signature sections by which each day in our planners is vertically divided — work, self, others, and home — are clear, easy to follow, and broad enough to work for your entire, full, busy life. The format un-jumbles your to-dos for you, and takes away the need to color code (unless you love color coding, in which case: go for it!)
Here's how to use the four sections, denoted by their individual icons (which also serve as check-marks):
📂 Work: Put all those work, school, or volunteer tasks in one place and feel like the boss you are as you check items off!
🔋 Self: Anything that fits into the self-care, social, or self-maintenance/health categories goes here. If this section is often empty, it’s time to make your well-being a priority.
🖤 Others: All those things you do for others—no matter who it is!— go here. If this section is constantly full, it’s a good visual reminder to see where you can delegate or cut back.
📍 Home: “Adulting is fun!” said no one, ever. But, it’s still an unavoidable reality. Add all those home tasks, bill reminders, car upkeep milestones, etc. here. There's also a line reserved for each evening's dinner plan.
Free space below each daily column
A simple dotted grid area is the perfect place for jotting down notes, phone numbers, appointments, and more. If you're the type of person who has a desk planner by their side at all times, you'll never need a Post-It note, scrap paper, or the back of an envelope again. And, if your planner acts as a self-care planner, daily wellness planner or tracker, mood tracker, etc., you can always use this area below each daily column to customize for your needs. (I have a friend who is a voracious reader and she uses this area to track the books she’s read each week!)
Weekend Spread
Since, in my experience, one spread was never quite enough for keeping track of all of my weekly tasks, we’ve created a separate spread for weekends — with a little more space for your self, others, and home tasks in each daily column — a dedicated area for reminders and lists (great for your weekly grocery list or errand reminders), and...
A free page for notes each week
As a chronic note-taker, this is one of my favorite features! Now there's no need to have a separate notebook in addition to your planner: with enough free space each week to jot down notes from calls, meetings, and brainstorm sessions, it can all live in one convenient place.
PLUS, BONUS FEATURES:
Blank Notes pages in the back
In case you haven't noticed, we love free space! Every Balance Bound Planner has several free pages in the back. We don't need to tell you how to use them... go wild! Do whatever you'd like!
Space for your word of the year and annual goals
At the front of your planner, we've reserved a page for your word of the year (or phrase — you make the rules!), as well as a place to keep track of up to 20 yearly goals. There's no need for a separate goals planner when you can continue to reference this list, and keep track of your monthly and weekly goal progress throughout the planner.
A Notes Index (and numbered pages!)
There's nothing more frustrating than losing track of important notes you've jotted down in your planner, and wasting time trying to find it later. That's why all of our pages are numbered, and there is a handy notes index for you to keep track of all the important tidbits you've written down throughout your planner. That brain dump for your next million dollar idea? Page 93!
A self-care toolbox
On days when you’re struggling or feel like you haven’t been taking very good care of yourself, it can help to be reminded of what’s in your self-care toolbox… that’s why we’ve created a page to keep track of the routines, practices, rituals, and hobbies that you need to feel balanced, rested, and whole.
Explore all of the 2023 Dated Weekly Planners in our shop, browse our entire collection of planners and stationery products, peruse the blog for more details, or reach out to us if you have questions that we can answer for you!
NOT QUITE READY TO COMMIT YET? TRY IT FOR FREE.
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