More control
One of the ways where we err as human beings is striving to control the things that we can't. It is simply impossible to predict exactly how your day will go or control every aspect of it. Traffic, late appointments, late bus or train and sudden illness are just some of the things that can derail your day. That being said, what about the things you CAN control? Are you controlling them efficiently?
Having a plan from the start of the day makes you feel more prepared and confident for the day. We are usually able to squeeze more into a carefully planned day. Having a plan will help you maximise your productivity. Even if you are in a repetitive mind-numbing job, refuse to let your day pass you by in a blur. Seize the day and make the most of it. Don't wish away your day away, it's the same as wishing your life away.
Rather than the day just happening to you, go out and make things happen. Plan your day by the hour and stick to it as much as possible. Planning your day helps to identify the aspects where your time is being wasted and eliminate it. This will empower you to feel more in control.
A word of warning though, don't delude yourself into thinking you can control everything. You cannot.
With a carefully planned day, you will also be less likely to fall into the trap of letting others waste your precious time. You will find yourself having less time for pointless arguments, needless complaints, futile social media scrolling. You will become more solution-oriented and productive.
See the bigger picture
With daily plans, you'll be able to factor in your short-term and long-term goals and take daily steps in achieving them. As you progress, those goals will look less mountainous and more achievable.
Track your success & productivity
There is nothing more satisfying than glancing over your plan and ticking it off as done. Writing things down in a plan adds an additional sense of importance. No longer will you hear yourself say "where has my day gone" When you have a day where every hour is productive and accounted for, you'll be delighted to see how much you can pack in the day. Now imagine looking back at your planner at the end of 1 year, 3 year, 5 years or a lifetime. How wonderful it would be to delight in how far you've come with written evidence.
Accountability
How you choose to plan your day is completely up to you. Of course, you will have pre-determined activities like appointments, work, school runs etc. What about the time in between? When you start planning your days, you begin to realise what matters and what doesn't. You'll have less time to be idle, even your "me time" and relaxation will be planned. The days when you don't manage to complete everything on your plan, you are able to analyse and see what went wrong.
Less mental stress and never forget a thing.
Staying organised means remembering to do everything that needs to get done. How many times have you laid down on your bed ready to sleep then you remember that very important task you were supposed to do during the day but didn't remember? Maybe it's old age. Maybe your brain is just struggling to cope with the sheer amount of information you are bombarded with daily, after all, we are in the information age. Writing down the things that need to get done (especially the night before) automatically reduces the pressure of needing to remember.