If you’re a guy looking for a basic, no-frills planner it can be pretty difficult to find a product that meets your needs without throwing in a million other features that you didn’t ask for. But that doesn’t mean finding the perfect planner is an impossible task! Here are six options for guys who want a planner without all the fuss.
Field Notes 56-Week Planner ($14.95)
If you’re a low-key guy, this is definitely the planner for you. Its simple layout includes weekly pages, with a few lines for each day–no monthly calendar, no goal setting pages, no fluff. Plus, everything is undated, so there’s no need to wait until January 1st rolls around. You can just start planning whenever you want.
The Field Notes Planner is probably a little too big to slip in your pocket, but it’s perfect to toss into a backpack or bag–it’s got a sturdy cardboard cover, so there’s no need to worry about any rough-and-tumble conditions. (And if you're looking for something more pocket-friendly, Field Notes has you covered.)
Passion Planner ($35)
If you’re looking for a planner with a few more options, the Passion Planner might be a good choice for you. It comes in multiple sizes, and you have the choice between dated or undated, as well as weekly planning that starts on either Sunday or Monday.
The Passion Planner comes in multiple colors and styles–some of which could be a little too flashy for certain people, but you can’t go wrong with the solid black or blue options. Those would be perfect, low-key choices for the office or anywhere, really.
In terms of features, this planner has a heavy emphasis on goal setting and provides you with plenty of space to do some serious soul searching. However, there’s also tons of room for jotting down your more mundane, everyday responsibilities as well.
Moleskine Weekly Planner ($16.90)
The Moleskine Weekly Planner is similar to the Field Notes planner–no frills, all function. However, in addition to weekly planning, this product also includes monthly calendars for some more long-term planning as well. It strikes a great balance between being minimalist and being useful.
If you’re familiar at all with Moleskine products, you already know that they’re easily portable and made from high-quality materials that can endure a little wear and tear. And their weekly planner is no exception to this rule.
UPstudio Planner ($30)
The UPstudio planner is a great choice if you’re looking to get serious about planning but aren’t entirely sure where to start. It’s slightly larger and filled with more features than most of the other products on this list, but it’s still not much bigger than a small hardcover book.
The biggest benefit of the UPstudio planner is its flexibility–it provides a workable structure without telling you exactly how to use it. At the top of each daily column, there’s an hourly breakdown for scheduling tasks. Below that are three blank boxes that can be used for anything from meal planning to more scheduling. And the bottom quarter of every page is grid paper, which is perfect for bullet journaling or just making some lists. (You also get an addition 54 pages of grid paper at the back of the planner if you really want to go crazy with graphing.)
DapperDesk ($48)
Okay, yes, the name “DapperDesk” does raise some questions in the area of masculinity, but behind that lies another solid, functional, no-frills planner. Each day comes with an hourly schedule from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., as well as some space for a to-do list–and the bottom of each page comes with ample space for notes or whatever else you might need it for. Plus, it’s leatherbound, which makes this a pretty nice planner to look at too.
Monthly Planner by Erin Condren ($25)
If you’re not in the mood for highly-detailed, day-to-day planning, then the monthly planner from Erin Condren might be your best bet. However, this planner is more than just a glorified calendar–it comes with plenty of space for notes, lists, projects, and goal setting too.
Erin Condren products are known for their bright, floral covers, but you’ll be happy to know that they offer plenty of basic options as well. You can even personalize the cover with your name or initials, which makes for a very professional look.