Sometimes, a basic Instagram meme telling you to seize the day isn't enough to rev your internal productivity engine.
Maintaining a productivity journal helps to ensure your goals and intentions are clearly outlined. The act of writing transfers thoughts from brain to paper, helping to distil ideas which were once floating around in the ether of the mind.
Productivity journals are self-explanatory. The specially designed books typically come with pages for bullet pointing, note-taking and prioritising. Other, more traditional options are filled with blank spaces for you to fill as you please - be it with goals for the day, week, month or year, notes or doodles.
As general interest in the self-care movement continues to grow, so too does the consumer demand for products that champion quiet reflection. According to research by Habit Better, 77 per cent of participants listed goal-setting as one of the key benefits of journaling. The study also showed the act of writing down goals and re-visiting them leads to a 42 per cent increase in your likelihood of completing that goal.
If you struggle to break free from the procrastination station, a productivity journal could be the perfect low-cost helper. Not only do they encourage the listing down of ideas, but the pads help to flesh out thoughts and delineate the steps to achieve them. This way you can track your progress, no matter how big or small the task at hand.
Technicalities aside, they’re also really cute. Stationary fans will no doubt be accustomed to the preppy colourways and Gen-Z designs of contemporary productivity planners. They make for fun WFH desk eye-candy and come in a range of prints patterns and colourways ripe for the choosing.
Browse the best productivity journals and start your day with goal-setting and gusto.
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Smythson Make It Happen Panama Notebook
Smythson is the crème de la crème of stationery. The brand’s Make It Happen Panama Notebook comes in seven sophisticated shades from apple green to crimson, making for a touching gift for luxury lovers. Handmade in England and bound in crossgrain leather, the notebook features 128 leaves of gilt-edged, pale blue featherweight paper to saturate with ideas.
Buy now £55.00, Smythson
Papier Rising Undated Daily Planner
Kickstart spring in style with Papier’s Rising Undated Daily Planner. A cornflower blue backdrop is peppered with ivory lilies and green vines concealed within an A5 design. Inside you’ll find pages for goal-setting, weekly overviews and general notes or musings.
Buy now £25.00, Papier
Sloane Stationary Launch Plan Cosmic Notebook
Rocket through the day with this stellar notebook from Sloane Stationery. An aubergine backdrop and intergalactic motif in silver attract the eye, while layers of plain luxurious cream-lined paper with gilt edges await your thoughts and feelings.
Buy now £39.00, Wolf & Badger
Betterday Studio Undated Daily and Weekly Planner
Available in four chic shades from antique pink to linen beige, Betterday Studio’s planner is a portable choice to carry with you at all times. Stay on top of tasks by utilising the weekly spreads and daily pages designed for regular jotting. To-do lists and time-keeping features ensure you don’t miss a beat.
Buy now £17.09, Etsy
MiGoals Black Get Sh*t Done Journal
Stick to a budget and add MiGoal’s no-nonsense black journal to your online basket. The affordable notebook is simple yet effective with simple to-do-lists inside as well as and lined sections for writing down and ticking off.
Buy now £6.00, Urban Outfitters
Papier Garden Fresh Undated Daily Planner
Look to Papier for colourbomb designs spanning florals to inspirational quotes. The brand is simmering with delightful pads to pick from, including this gardenscape piece which can be personalised. Flick open to find 96 leaves of carefully curated pages to help set goals and optimise everyday performance.
Buy now £25.00, Papier
Faye Co. Papier Personalised Minimal Undated Productivity Daily Planner
A personalised planner is a thoughtful gesture for friends and family prone to procrastination. Ensure your loved ones stay on track for the next four months with this failsafe piece, which comes complete with both weekly and monthly overviews, in addition to a daily plan page.
Buy now £26.60, NOTHS
Cloudberry Papery Two-Sided Weekly Goal Planner
A planner with punch, Cloudberry’s goal setting staple will appease those seeking balance and discipline. Side A of the planner empowers owners to shape their days with affirmative action choices and self-motivate via goals, while side B champions meditation and time planning techniques.
Buy now £115.00, Wolf & Badger
Internal Glow Up Daily Productivity Planner
Struggling to boost your efficiency levels? Feeling sluggish? We’ve all been there. Improve self-organisation and remain focused on your daily tasks with Internal Glow Up’s daily productivity planner. Boasting five-star reviews across the board, the attractive piece will become a firm companion and will seamlessly guide you through the day, week or month.
Buy now £15.99, Etsy
Intelligent Change Productivity Planner
Available in sleek black or dreamy cream, Intelligent Change’s Productivity Planner will help bust the procrastination blues. Learn how to manage your personal time effectively, set intentions for the day (or week) and reflect your inner growth. This handy design will see you through the next three months with ease and efficiency.
Buy now £28.00, Intelligent Change
