Best 2026 Planner for Productivity: Why I Chose The Dailee
Vol. 2, Issue 1
Back to paper and pen
There is a lie that we tell ourselves as overachievers. “If I find the best new productivity app, the perfect automation, the right alert setting, I will feel in control.”
Last year, relying on digital apps for productivity didn’t make me feel in control of my life. Instead, I felt like a side character, just reacting to notifications. Every buzz and red dot felt like something I owed to someone else.
True leadership needs quiet moments for intentional action, not constant noise. I’m choosing to write things down with paper and pen instead.
I’ve tried almost every app in the app store, and digital calendar, don’t get me wrong, they are great for reminders, but for me personally, for a system of living? It keeps me in a state of anxiety. I realized my phone was no longer an accessible productivity tool; it was hindering my focus.
The taxing cost of switching focus
In my psychology studies, I came across material on how external stimuli can negatively affect our ability to get and stay focused. So I began looking deeper and discovered my reaction towards the dings is a documented phenomenon called Stimulus-Driven Attention. Psychologist Dr. Gloria Mark conducted a study showing that the average person’s attention span has shrunk to 47 seconds in the last five years, where in 2012 it was 75 seconds.
That time may not seem like a lot, but think about it: every time we switch our screens or tasks, we’re taxing our attention, leading to elevated stress levels and reducing our focus. There’s even evidence that shows when we are interrupted by phone notifications, the buzz or the red dot, it takes nearly 23 minutes to jump back into deep focus. For further learning, give the 225th episode with American Psychological Association (APA) a listen; they dive into Dr. Mark’s book Attention Span.
This is confirmation of the exhaustion, when we live on our phones, our brains constantly react, then direct our attention to what's important in front of us. Paper will always win; the writing ink on paper forces you to slow down. Planning begins to feel like a ritual, rather than a chore.
From Busy to Aligned: My 2026 Planning Strategy
When the end of December comes, before planning for the new year, the first question I ask myself isn’t “what do I want to achieve?” Instead, I ask, “How do I want to think and feel?”
We think, feel, and then act, and for me, experience is the driver, goals are the vehicle. If I don't anchor myself in the feeling of the life I want to lead, each planning section just becomes an aimless list. There’s a physiological shift that happens when I make it a habit to sit down and write on paper, whether that's journaling or writing a to-do list. This allows me to connect deeply with the year’s vision and understand my intentions behind each goal. It becomes less about logistics and scheduling tasks and more about becoming a creator of my experience.
Why I’m Going All In on One Planner for 2026
To conquer my 2026 vision, I need a single space to hold every detail that’s not just for my dental and vision appointment reminders. Between my psychology studies, serving as a Sorority Book Club Lead and Social Media Officer, plus managing my own business, the digital noise was too much. I wanted something gorgeous and guided. This is why I decided to use The Dailee Planner for all of 2026. Yes, it is beautifully designed; the rosewood covers with the gold corner pieces are priceless, but what’s most desirable is the intentionality in the pages. There are monthly plans, weekly workouts, a travel-planning section, and even a birthday check-off page.
In 2026, I am going all in with these three content buckets to ensure I’m not just a busy girl putting out fires; I am aligned with the experience I want to embody.
Crown to Serve:
I’ve recently been crowned Ms. Arkansas American Royal Beauties (inaugural), and I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity to spread awareness of my platform, Polish Your Mirror Daily, which cultivates self-love and emotional agility to face challenges with intention and strength. Since this title involves frequent travel to connect with communities, the planner’s dedicated travel and packing sections are vital for keeping me grounded on the go. Most importantly, my mission is to use the opportunity of this title to spread a message that extends far beyond the stage. This is not just a pageant platform—it is my overall mission. When we practice self-love, it becomes easy to recognize our inner beauty, and see the beauty around you, in people, places, and things. How you view your environment is a reflection of your inner world.
2. Business Roadmap:
This is where I am mapping out my launch roadmap. I’m using the monthly overviews to set clear deadlines and organize a content calendar that reflects the multifaceted parts of who I am. The vision is to launch a new digital experience, but the real work is internal: shifting my identity from a 'content creator' chasing likes to a 'Founder' driven by impact. I am letting go of perfectionism because I realized that my mission has to be released to help others, not polished until it feels safe. It is time to move from vision to action. We all deserve to build a solid relationship with ourselves, and for me, that starts with trusting my own voice enough to share it.
3. Foundation Wellness:
This is non-negotiable for me. After moving to Arkansas to support my mother and wrapping up my degree, the transition took a toll on my routine. Now, I am reclaiming my energy. The planner plays a huge role here: seeing the promise I made to myself written in ink stops me from renegotiating when it’s time to do hard things. It removes the decision fatigue—I simply execute the plan I wrote down the night before.
In 2026, I am prioritizing intense weighted walks, Sunday Pilates, and a return to my Qi Gong schedule. I can't give out tools as a wellness educator if I am not prioritizing my own well-being. Wellness is the foundation before any work begins, and I’m making it a priority to secure consistent recharge time.
