There’s nothing better than the feeling of starting a fresh, clean, crisp physical journal with the intention of jotting down your tasks, deadlines, and goals.
We spoke to Maritoni Renaghan, Category Director – Office Products, to get her best advice on how to maximize the use of your physical journal.
Find a schedule structure that fits your needs.
There is more to consider than simply choosing your favorite cover for a physical journal.
When selecting a journal, it is essential to consider how you plan to use it. Are you looking for an easy way to organize your work tasks based on a daily, weekly or monthly overview? If not, you may consider the need for a more flexible journal that can accommodate personal reflections and creative ideas. Therefore, it is essential to choose the one that suits your mental workflow and needs.
The most common journal is the traditional journal, which follows the classic format of dated entries. It includes sections on daily or sometimes weekly activities, an overview of the annual calendar, some pages for personal notes in the back, and a date placeholder to easily find where you are.
“Journals offer a variety of options and provide plenty of room for brainstorming, planning and note-taking. Jotting down goals and to-do lists can keep you inspired and motivated,” says Maritoni .
“My top recommendation is to choose one that’s easy to use and makes you feel confident organizing your work life.”
Color code your journal for maximum productivity.
Did you know that color coding can help make your schedule more effective? In fact, colors can affect us both biologically and psychologically, influencing our moods and feelings. There’s even a world of online resources available online to help you implement color coding rules, so it’s best to find a system that works for you.
“Color-coding your journal by category helps distinguish between different types of activities such as internal, external, individual or personal tasks. This practice will help you stay on top of your priorities and reduce the overwhelming nature of a full diary,” says Maritoni.
Include your dates of leave or personal leave.
Your diary allows you to plan more than just work-related tasks. Adding your personal or out-of-office dates can serve not only as a motivational tool, but can also help you plan, avoiding backlogs or colleagues contacting you about work while you’re away.
Maritoni attests to this trick, noting how it keeps her organized. “I love having casual reminders of the time off I have. It gives me energy during the week to work towards a goal and be rewarded with a well-deserved time off. It also works for dating,” says Maritoni.
Adding personal events and appointments to your diary helps ensure you are aware of both professional and personal commitments.
Keep it open and by your side.
By keeping your planner open on your desk throughout the day, you maintain a constant visual reminder of your tasks, improving your productivity. It also helps to review what you have accomplished during the day and in some professions, it can help to keep a record or reflect on when the action in an activity began. “It can be the first thing you see in the morning, helping you start your day productively. Plus, a journal helps you immediately knock items off your to-do list, giving you a sense of accomplishment as you that you go ahead and capture spur-of-the-moment ideas,” adds Maritoni.
Winc offers a wide range of diaries and planners so you can stay organized and productive, no matter where you work. Check out our full range online. Order now and receive a 10% discount on all diaries in the 2025 range!*