I love planners. In any given year, I use at least three to keep track of everything from schedules and to-do lists to various projects. And, as someone with an I need to see it personal style, my preferred planners need to include plenty of space where I can lay everything out (where I can see it).
That said, I have never seen a planner like this one. A quick flip-through was enough to convince me that I need to take some time with this book. Consequently, I brought it with me to the beach so I could sit down, go through it slowly, and savor it.
Not a lot of planners make me do this.
Although you can’t judge a book by its cover, this cover bears mentioning. Not only is it bright and appealing, evoking a global feel in its color scheme and title presentation, but it’s literally flexible. Book-bound, not spiral, it’s harder than a paperback and softer than a hardcover, making it sturdy enough to withstand lots of tossing into this bag or that as its owner moves from place to place and project to project. (Perfect for those with an I love to be busy personal style).
But this consideration for the user doesn’t end with the cover. From the front matter, to the layout, to the choice of content, the “why” for this planner has been thought through to make it not only user friendly, but fun to use. Like a book, it draws users in, first with this sentiment in the introduction:
"The world around us has always been broken, but as believers, we have been called to do something about it."
“Within these pages, you’ll find the space and tools to identify the issues that matter
most to you and to help you map out intentional steps to create a meaningful impact.“
I’ve seen a lot of planners. I’ve used a lot of planners. But I’ve never found one with a call to action.
Let me pause here for a moment and say that if you’re looking for a traditional planner with monthly calendars and lots of lined pages for to-do lists, this one isn’t for you. But, if you want space to plan out a project that is close to your heart, or to figure out how to find or create such a project, this one is worth savoring.
Laid out in a way that makes it easy to personalize based on your focus (whether you have one or many), the Be the Difference planner helps users to think through their ideas, organize them, and put a plan on paper. Whether you are a big picture thinker or a nuts-and-bolts list-creator, you’ll find pages in this book to help you take whatever project your heart desires to the next level.
Each (undated) month’s pages include a monthly calendar (two-page spread), space for notes, to-dos, brainstorming, references, and contacts, along with an inspirational quote and space for reflection at the end of the month, as well as quarterly reflection pages. The back of the book offers suggestions for interesting issues, while the front of the book offers space to help users think through ways they can make a difference.
Suitable for individuals and committees, the Be the Difference planner provides guided space to go from idea to action, whether your target is local, national or global. Though its stated function is “planner,” it is much more, and impressively so, making its $16.99 price point seems more than reasonable given its uniqueness and utility.
If you've got a project in mind and you like to think on the page, this planner can help you make a difference. At the very least, it can be a place where you can lay out your ideas and take the first steps from planning to implementation, making it a planner in the truest sense of the word.
Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this planner in exchange for a review.
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