Choosing a Planner You Will Use

Raise your hand if you’ve ever stared at rows of planners—online or in Target—and thought, “Why are there so many options? How am I supposed to pick one?!” 🙋‍♀️

With planners in every shape, size, and color (some with bells, whistles, and glittery stickers), it’s easy to get overwhelmed and end up with a pretty planner that… well… doesn’t actually work.

Today, I’m breaking it down for you with 3 simple tips to help you choose a planner that’s both functional and fabulous—one you’ll actually use to get organized and stay in control of your time. Let’s do this!

1. Choose a Planner That Comes with a System
   A planner without a system is just a notebook. Look for one that teaches you how to use it—through guides, videos, or blogs. When there’s a method to the madness, you’re way more likely to stick with it.
   Quick Tip: The TOP Planner does this (obviously) but another example is The LifePlanner by Erin Condren —it includes a user guide and tutorials to walk you through everything.

2. Make Sure It Covers a Full Year
   Planners that only cover 90 days can leave you scrambling when to find the right planner when you need it (we are often needing to write down things several months ahead!). Choose one with at least 12 months, so you can map out long-term goals, appointments, and big events.
   Bonus Tip: Monthly tabs are your best friend for quickly flipping to where you need to go.

3. Look for a Weekly Layout with Time Slots
   Busy days require structure. A weekly layout with times (like 7am–7pm) helps you plan realistically and avoid over-scheduling. A planner that just has an empty rectangle for each day is a glorified task list holder.  It is not a plan.

Choosing the right planner doesn’t have to feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Focus on function, flexibility, and a system that works for you. Trust me—when you’ve got the right planner in your hands, it’s like having a personal assistant you didn’t know you needed.

Now go out there and find your perfect match, friend. You’ve got this!

If you are looking for some planner suggestions, you can check out all of my planner reviews on YouTube (HERE)

1. 🎉 The Pink Bee is Turning 5—Let’s Celebrate!

Five years ago, The Pink Bee began with a big leap and a lot of heart… and now we’re throwing a birthday bash to celebrate how far we’ve come—with you!

Join me LIVE on Tuesday, May 13 at 12 PM ET on YouTube for a fun, totally free celebration. I’ll be answering some of your top time management questions, sharing a few surprises, and giving away some amazing goodies:

🎁 3 TOP Planners (yep, the same one I use every day)
🎁 2 private 1:1 coaching calls with me (a $500 value!)

Whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re brand new to the hive, I’d love to see your name pop up in the chat.

Register here to save your spot and get entered to win the giveaways:
👉 meganstumrell.com/birthday

Stop Trying to Build a Business During Nap Time (Do This Instead)

Let’s be honest—trying to build a business in the cracks of your day (during nap time, screen time, or carpool pickup) might sound flexible, but it’s really just a recipe for burnout. In this week’s video, I’m sharing exactly why the “nap time hustle” doesn’t work—and what to do instead if you want to grow your business with more consistency, clarity, and peace.

I’ll walk you through what it really means to plan for unpredictability, the three must-haves for a realistic weekly plan, and how to shift out of survival mode and into strategy. If you’ve been trying to squeeze your business into scraps of time, this is your permission slip to stop—and start planning like a CEO.

This Week’s Buzz: What’s the difference between urgent and important—and why does it matter?

This week’s question came from a TOP Program student who asked, “Can I have more than one thing marked as urgent and important on my list?” The short answer: yes, and it’s probably happening more than you realize.

If your days feel like a constant scramble, you’re probably stuck in “urgent mode.” The goal is to spend more time on what matters before it becomes urgent—so you can plan with clarity instead of reacting to chaos.

In this week’s Weekly Buzz, I’m sharing the real difference between urgency and importance, how to spot it, and why this small mindset shift can completely change how you plan your time.

Remember, this video is only available until Wednesday—don’t miss it! Head to The Pink Bee app to watch now.

Friend, don’t forget—just 15 minutes of planning today can set the tone for your entire week. You’ve got the tools, you’ve got the tips, and now it’s time to take action. Let’s crush this week together!