Have you ever forgotten an appointment or an important date? Do you think of things you need to do later but don’t remember to do them because you have no place to write them down? Do you have one place to write your most frequently used phone numbers and addresses? How would you like a memory prompter? Do you need a stress reliever in your life? Do you want to clear the clutter in your life? Obtaining a day planner and using it can clear the clutter and organize your life.

“The worst pencil and paper is better than the best memory”. That is so true. Everyone needs a planner to help them clear the clutter in their lives, home and work. Just having a planner does not mean you will turn into a lean mean organizing machine. You need to learn how to effectively use it and then do just that—use it.

Here are 6 things you need to know to get your day planner to work for you:

1. Choose your planner in the size, color and feel that works best for you.

·Size: They come in all sizes from very large too small. Just because you carry a large bag does not mean a large one is best for you. You need to consider the weight, convenience of using it, how bulky it is and how you will be using it. Your planner will be your life balancer, record keeper, family scheduler, stress reliever, productivity enhancer, a place to record ideas, your goal planner, and telephone and address book.

·Look and Feel: Choose a planner that you enjoy holding and working with. Color and texture are important. If you get a color you dislike chances are you won’t use it.

·If you prefer an electronic planner check it out to make sure it will meet your needs.

2. Chose a planner that has a monthly view. It must also have either a daily view which is best if you have a lot of things to do every day or a planner with a weekly view. When you schedule anything write it on the monthly view and then on the daily or weekly view pages. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to record everything on the monthly view so you don’t ever over book events or appointments.

3. In the front of your planner have a page for a master To Do list. As you think of things you want or need to do, write them down. Then you don’t have to keep thinking about it and this will free up your time for other things. If it is something that is to be done in that month, write the task on a day in the weekly or daily view page that you think you will be able to do it.

4. You can use different colored dividers to organize your planner to separate topics such as “work,” “home,” “shopping list,” etc.

5. Use a bookmark to mark the page on the current date.

6. List your daily tasks and appointment schedule each day and as you accomplish them, check them off. If you don’t get a task done place an arrow by it and move it forward to a day you think you will be able to do it.

A planner can help balance your life because you learn to prioritize and you save time by not having to remember all the things you have to do. You get more done without even trying because you have written your ideas down and then you don’t forget what it was you wanted or needed to do. Your planner can say no for you as you can see what you have scheduled. A day planner is a must to clear clutter from your life.

Marilyn is a professional organizer and invites you to visit her website , She is a sought after public speaker and author who is passionate about teaching ways to organize your life and how to reduce clutter. She works with women in their homes and offices. On her web site she teaches you to get rid of clutter by using her Lights On Organizing System. She provides practical information on how to declutter your home, office and life. In her blogs, articles, and videos she gives timely tips on how to clear clutter and how to declutter everything in your home and office. She is the author of a book called Go Organize! Conquer clutter in three simple steps which will be in major bookstores in December 2009.