Do you ever feel endlessly inspired but soon find yourself needing a way to keep it all organized? I find myself at these crossroads often, and every once in a blue moon I even remember to write my thoughts down! Honestly, the amount of times I surprise myself by finding a note about something I had already thought about should be illegal. I go through phases of being diligent about using a planner and then neglecting it – but in moments of organizational triumph I find these 5 tips on staying inspired and organized with Blue Sky to be helpful! You can find Lars new planner collection with Blue Sky available exclusively in store at your local Staples!
Tip 1: Choose a planner for form + function
For our planners with Blue Sky, we offer a variety of colors and patterns so everyone can have something to choose from. Along with choosing a style that speaks to you, it’s also important to take some time to think about how you will use the planner. Will it stay with you at all times in a backpack or a purse? Will it be a desk planner that you keep at home for monthly planning? Do you need a planner large enough to carry paper documents inside? These types of questions will help you frame what purpose the planner might have that’s right for you. Then you can be sure to pick a Blue Sky design that serves form, as well as function!
Tip 2: Set aside designated creative and/or organizational time
Have you ever heard the saying that if you can’t find the time, you have to make the time? Well it’s hitting the nail on the head with this tip of the day! It’s much easier said than done to clear time in a busy schedule for using your planner. I know, I know – planning time to plan sounds a little redundant doesn’t it? However, being intentional about using your Blue Sky planner is what will make all the difference! You don’t have to set aside obnoxiously huge amounts of time to do this, or squeeze out every last creative drop in your being to stay inspired. In fact, the planners in the collection have what we call a “Monthly Maker’s Moment” which basically offers a creative prompt each month. It’s the perfect opportunity to schedule in some creative time with some guidance to get you feeling inspired!
Tip 3: Use a writing utensil that you love
This may seem like a small detail to overlook on the surface, but this can totally change everything when it comes to writing. If you don’t like the way your writing looks, or if it in any way is uncomfortable for you to write, then you have to make some changes so you are having a good experience while writing! You may have a preference of certain pens over certain pencils or vice versa – but the important thing is to use something you love to write with. Another trick to using planners is color coding your notes or thoughts; you can do this with highlighters, different color markers, stickers, etc. Keep it interesting! Bungu store has some incredible options for Japanese writing utensils.
Tip 4: Record inspiration and actionable thoughts in the moment
This has been a tip that’s helped me my whole life! A friend once told me that they found: if they wrote down their inspirations (or to-do thoughts) in the moment they were thinking of it, they were much more likely to accomplish it. So far I have found this to be true; likely because it’s fresh on your mind and hasn’t slipped away! I realize it’s not always possible to keep track of the thoughts we have in the moment we are having them, but I so often tell myself I’ll remember/do it later and I don’t. It’s very human to forget, and after all these planners with Blue Sky are here to help – because we can’t remember everything!
Tip 5: Have fun!
Lars designed these planners with fun in mind – yes planning, but also fun! I think planning can get a bad rep, because well it can be tedious and maybe even overwhelming sometimes. At some point I came to love using a planner because it was a fool-proof way of how I could move forward at not only accomplishing my goals, but my dreams! While getting carried away planning for dreams is fun, sometimes having fun also just means snacking on a little treat while you plan for that week. Or planning some self-care for the week. Mix it up, keep things fresh, plan outside. There are no rules, you are in charge of what fun looks like for you when it comes to you and your Blue Sky planner against the world!
Show us how you use your Blue Sky planner by tagging us at @houselarsbuilt or #LarsMakes! We are so excited for you to have this new collection, available now at a Staples near you!