2024 planners
DREAM BIG AND DARE TO FAIL
This year as part of one my big goals I wanted to create a planner. A planner that I loved. And you would too! This goal was hitting two other goals, learn to use InDesign better and start using Amazon publishing tool KDP. I want to eventually write a little book but I didn’t want to go all the way in with a huge project. I wanted to start small and troubleshoot, and figure out how it all works. I am here to report that I was successful. Lucky for you, you’ll be able to enjoy the results! An amazing (if I might say so) 2024 Planner is now available from Amazon.
Maybe I am already part of an old generation but despite all my digital calendars, planners, apps and online reminders, I still need my physical planner. One that I can touch and brings me joy to look at it! Old fashioned…? probably! But regardless, I decided to create my own planner. My reason number one is that I wanted something cute, modern, but also affordable. I don’t want a cute planner for $50. That’s not me.
But truly, why a planner when we have so many online apps, reminders, and calendars. Well, actually, it’s not just me being old-fashioned. Science backs me up on this one! Writing doing your goals WILL help you accomplished them.
Why I planner?
Since I started mapping out my goals (short and long term) and writing them down, I have been able to accomplish many more things. There is something about having my goals right there staring at me… Also, taking a look at the whole year helps me better plan my time and distribute my goals.
For surface pattern designers, planning is so important. Most of the time our seasonal themes have to be finished months before the date! I have also started to dedicate my last 15 minutes at the end of my day (whether it ends at noon or 4pm) to plan my next day and review my goals for the week. It’s so much easier to start my morning if I know what I am doing right away. I dive right into it and don’t procrastinate as much going through my email, or my social media.
Like I mentioned before I wanted to make a planner that was cute but also affordable. Fortunately, for you and me, KDP, the Amazon publisher, offers just that! And it’s easily accesible to purchase from Amazon. It also gave the opportunity to learn to use Adobe InDesign to plan the best layout for the planner.
If you are thinking about making your own planner, there are a few things to consider when designing your own planner:
1.- Dimensions of the planner.
2.- Number of pages.
3.- Page layout.
4.- Organization of the planner.
For the last part, I would just think of what things you will find useful to keep track on your own planner and make sure to add those. Things like goals, task, notes, important dates,… I knew, for mine, I wanted to include a “learning goals” and a “dare to” section to make sure I keep learning and step out of my comfort zone every month. As for my weekly planner, I wanted to make sure I take time to set my priorities for the week, some time for self-care, and a moment to recognize what I am thankful for.
Other things you might want to consider are colors, fonts, and any additional pages. But, I would mostly think of the audience, are they athletes, moms, artists? What would they need on their planners?
So, please, let me present to you my very first planner. An affordable and cute (if I might say so…) planner that will help you in your journey to success. It is available from Amazon in three different color ways as a paperback or hardcover.
Are you ready to transform your 2024 into a year of endless possibilities?
“This is the perfect planner to help you achieve your goals this year. Science has shown that writing down your goal and organizing your time helps accomplishing them! In this planner you will be able not only to track your habits and set your goals for the year, but also make time for self-care while still keeping track of all your important dates, like birthdays, anniversaries, … and still not miss your doctor appointments or school events! It couldn’t get any better.”
Please, share with your friends and fellow creatives in your life that will appreciate an affordable planner so we can all Dream Big and Dare to Fail Together! ;)
Happy planning,
Ana