It’s another quarter before 2006 but these are already out on the shelves. To remind us that another year is drawing near. To remind us that we should plan ahead. To remind us that we should not drift by each day, each week and each month aimlessly. And, to remind us that we’re getting older.

Well, even in this digital age where one can simply click on a PC screen to schedule an appointment or record timetable on a PDA, these are still popular. Somehow, planning on paper, while old-fashioned, is still preferred by many.

I used to be very fickle about planners. I’ll buy one and soon regret when I see something prettier. But with age, I seem to be able to settle for functionality rather than appearance. (Wiser, I hope.) So while there are many attractively designed planners this year, I am happy to settle for a plain black executive planner from Ugrade, the same as the 2005 planner I have now. It’s good as long as it allows me to pen down my commitments, and for me to schedule my work. I really don’t need anything too fanciful that would detract me from my main purpose.

So why do I like planners? It helps me manage my work. It allows me to be organised. It lets me plan ahead. And more important, it helps me maintain a balance life.