The Ultimate Franklin Planner Review: My Tried and Tested System for Finishing Your Goals
If you’re struggling to cross the finish line on your degree, a big project, or even daily tasks, the right tool isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. A Franklin Planner isn’t just a notebook; it’s a proven productivity system designed to transform overwhelming goals into manageable, actionable steps, helping you finally finish what you start.
Table of Contents
My Franklin Planner Journey: From Student to Busy Mom
I was gifted my first Franklin Planner (then Franklin Covey) in my early teens, so naturally I picked one up right after high school to track my work schedule and school assignments. I also tried many other brands, layouts, and styles. Now, as a mom, it’s how I juggle home and toddler life, my YouTube channel, and personal goals.
Related: How I studied for CLEP exams: Modern States to the rescue
Tried and Tested: In-Depth Franklin Planner Product Reviews
I’ve road-tested multiple Franklin Covey designs to find the best layouts for productivity. This kit collects my honest reviews and recommendations for their classic ring-bound planners, from the two-page daily layout to the signature original design. Find which one is right for your goals.
Franklin Covey – Leadership Two Page Per Day Ring-Bound Planner (Jan 2026 – Dec 2026, Classic)
This is the exact two-page-per-day planner I used all through 2024, and it was a game-changer for managing my time as a mom and content creator. My favorite feature is the extended hourly schedule—from 7 AM to 9 PM with additional empty slots for 6 AM and 10 PM—which was perfect for blocking out early morning work sessions after my toddler’s bedtime. The clean, cool-toned design is professional, and the gridded dates on the monthly tabs let me neatly pencil in every commitment without any clutter. It’s a beautifully functional system that helped me finish what I started each day.
Franklin Covey – Original Two Page Per Day Ring-Bound Planner (Jan 2026 – Dec 2026, Classic)
This is the sturdy, no-fuss original that made Franklin Covey famous. I’m a huge fan of its classic green-and-white design for anyone who needs a simple, distraction-free planning system. The high-contrast pages make your pen notes—especially in red, blue, or black—really pop for easy scanning. A major plus is the quarterly availability, which is perfect for testing the system without committing to a full year. While I currently use a layout with extended hours for my schedule, this remains my top recommendation for its legendary consistency and clean, straightforward functionality.
Franklin Covey – 7 Habits Two Page Per Day Ring-Bound Planner (Classic, Jan 2026 – Dec 2026)
This is my current 2025 planner and a personal favorite. The biggest win is the expanded 7 AM – 9 PM schedule (effectively 6 AM – 10 PM), which is perfect for managing a busy, unpredictable schedule. The design is more muted and professional, with darker, bolder lines on the monthly tabs for better readability. The true value, though, is the built-in 7 Habits philosophy. Having those foundational quotes and reminders on every page integrates the system directly into my daily planning, constantly reinforcing the principles without me needing to pull out the book. It’s a brilliant design for intentional living.
Franklin Covey – Yearly Foldout Calendar (Classic, Jan 2026 – Dec 2026)
I’ve used this foldout calendar for years, and it’s become one of my most powerful tracking tools. I abandoned complex digital trackers for this simple, at-a-glance solution that lives right in my planner. I don’t use it for planning; I use it for reviewing the entire year in one view. It’s like a laminated cheat sheet for your life. I’ve used it to track habits like early wake-ups, sales numbers, or planner usage—anything you want to measure over a full year. The best feature is the two layouts (horizontal and vertical) on a single foldout, letting you track two different metrics simultaneously. It’s the simplest way to visualize your progress and stay motivated to finish what you start.
Franklin Covey – Original Two-Page Monthly Calendar Tabs (Classic, Jan 2026 – Dec 2026)
These are my absolute favorite monthly tabs, and they’re my secret weapon for customizing any planner. If a planner’s included tabs are too bold or distracting, I immediately swap them for these clean, lightly-lined originals. While it’s an added cost, the long-term satisfaction is worth it. They are also the perfect foundation for building a completely custom planner, as the sturdy, pre-printed tabs are the most difficult part to DIY. The layout is brilliant: a blank monthly index on the front for key events and a master task list on the back to capture every personal and business goal. They are the ultimate upgrade for a polished, functional system.
Franklin Covey – Starter Pack – Coordinates w/All Planning Page Designs (Classic)
This is the essential refill kit that keeps my Franklin planner running like new. While the binders are built to last, it’s a relief to know I can easily replace any worn-out tabs or forms. I keep this on hand and reference it throughout the year to stay organized. It’s the perfect way to ensure all my goals and schedules are always neatly in one place, just the way I need them.
Franklin Covey – Storage Combo – Protect Past and Future Planner Pages (Monarch, Burgundy)
This is the storage system that finally solved my planner archive problem. While there are cheaper options, this Franklin Covey combo is the only one I’ve found that keeps everything perfectly organized, protected, and elegant. The binder stores past months for quick reference, and the matching box securely archives finished years. It eliminates the frustration of lost, torn, or misplaced pages. Yes, it’s an investment, but it looks beautiful on a bookshelf and provides the peace of mind that my past plans and accomplishments are preserved flawlessly. It’s the consistent, high-quality solution worth the price for a serious planner.
Franklin Covey – Metal Hole Punch – 7-Hole Punch for Adding Pages to Planners (Classic)
I invested in this heavy-duty hole punch over a decade ago, and it’s still going strong—a testament to its incredible build quality. While I’ve moved to a discbound system for my daily use, this is the indispensable tool I pull out whenever I need to seamlessly add pages or printables to my classic Franklin archive binders. It delivers a perfect, clean punch every time, as long as you follow the sheet limit. If you’re serious about maintaining a long-term planning system, this is a one-time purchase that will last a lifetime.
Advanced Day Planner User’s Guide
This book is such a fun peek into the classic Franklin Quest community! It’s not a dry manual—it’s a delightful collection of clever hacks and personal stories sent in by planner users from across the country, plus some of Hyrum W. Smith’s own favorite tips. It feels like discovering a secret scrapbook of the best, most creative ways people were using their planners decades ago. If you love finding little-known tricks or just enjoy the nostalgia of the Franklin era, this out-of-print gem is a totally unique and enjoyable read.
How to Choose the Right Franklin Planner for Your Goals
Not every planner is right for every person. Your choice should match your specific goals and lifestyle. Here’s a simple guide to help you decide:
- For Foundational Habit-Building: The 7 Habits planner is unmatched. It seamlessly integrates timeless principles into your daily routine, perfect for building the discipline needed to finish long-term projects.
- For Students and First-Time Users: Start with the Original or a quarterly version. Its simplicity is perfect for tracking assignments and a work schedule without overwhelm.
- For Professionals and Content Creators: The Leadership layout is ideal. The extended hours are necessary for blocking out deep work sessions and managing a complex daily agenda.
A Peek Inside My 2025 Planner Setup
The best system is the one you actually use. After testing everything on this page, here’s the exact Franklin Planner and accessories I’ve chosen for my daily life this year to manage motherhood, content creation, and personal goals. See My Exact 2025 Planner Kit and Daily Drivers.
About Franklin Planner
The Franklin Planner is a proven productivity system designed to help you clarify your goals and execute them daily. For over 30 years, its unique methodology has been the secret weapon for professionals, students, and busy moms alike to finally finish what they start. Read more on the Franklin Planner.
One Step
Find Your Layout. Your next step isn’t to buy everything at once. It’s to identify which planner layout resonates with you. Re-skim the reviews above. Are you drawn to the simplicity of the Original, the detailed schedule of the Leadership, or the intentionality of the 7 Habits? Choosing your core tool is the first actionable step toward a more organized and productive life.
Finish Line
Remember, the perfect planner is the one you will actually use consistently. Don’t aim for a flawless system on day one; aim for progress. Every checkmark, every scheduled block of time, is a victory that brings you closer to your goals. You have the tools and the strategy—now you just need to take that first step. You can absolutely do this.
Related Blog Posts
- Analog vs. Digital Planning: Which System is Right for You? (coming soon)
- My Action Notebook
- 30-Day Paper System Challenge
Links and Resources
- What is Franklin Planner?
- 21-Day Challenge and Planner Training by Franklin Planner
- My 2026 Planner Setup Kit
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
- Tried & Tested: My Franklin Planner Reviews Kit
Questions?
Do you have a specific question on a planner design or product? X/Tweet @tracyaltheide #moveupfam. If there’s enough questions, I’ll add an FAQ section here or add a related post.
Tracy A
Tracy helps self-starters and project finishers find the tools, strategies, and confidence to complete the work that matters most. She shares actionable tips, book notes, reviews, and personal experiments to help you start strong and finish well.
