The best planner for the self-employed
If you're self-employed, your problem isn't too little work but too many equally important things: acquisition, projects, invoicing, training. A planner has to help prioritise here — not just collect appointments.
A planner with a quarterly view
For most self-employed people, the Business Planner 2027 A5+ the right choice (34.95 €): weekly and quarterly planning in the same book, ABC priorities, weekly review.
If you're often on the road and plan at the client's, go for the compact note 2027 in A6+ (22.95 €).
If your fiscal year doesn't run to January, the compact extended with 18 months (26.95 €).
Why the self-employed have to plan differently
In employment, the organisation often decides what's important. In self-employment nobody decides that — except you, every week anew.
Client acquisition is never urgent
Client work has deadlines, acquisition doesn't. So it's the first thing to go — and takes its revenge three months later. A planner with quarterly goals keeps it visible even when the week is full.
Everything is the boss's job
Bookkeeping, website, quotes, training: all tasks without a deadline that still have to get done. Without a fixed ranking, the loudest one always wins.
Workload fluctuates
Three full weeks are followed by an empty one. If you only plan the week, the empty one goes unused — if you keep the quarter in view, it doesn't.
The review is missing
Employees get annual reviews. The self-employed get nothing — unless they build it in themselves. A fixed weekly review is the smallest working substitute.
Work and life share one calendar
Nobody keeps up a second system for private life. The planner has to carry both without becoming cluttered.
The planner has to come along
Client meeting, café, train: if the planner stays at home, the notes end up on your phone and disappear there.
Three planners, three ways of working
Recommendation · A5+ · 28 versionsBusiness Planner 2027
For most self-employed people
Enough space for a full day, quarterly planning for the projects that have no deadline, and a weekly review that makes your workload visible.
34.95 €View →
On the go · A6+ · 15 versionscompact note 2027
For everyone who plans at the client's
Fits in any bag and still has the full system. Ideal when a large part of your work happens away from your desk.
22.95 €View →
18 months · Oct 26 – Mar 28compact extended 2027
When the fiscal year runs offset
A year and a half in one volume — no break mid-project, no second purchase in summer.
26.95 €View →Frequently asked questions from the self-employed
Isn't a digital tool like Notion or Asana enough?
For projects and collaboration they're stronger. For your own weekly decision, paper is more reliable: it forces a selection because space is limited, and it isn't two clicks away from the next distraction. Many of our customers use both — projects digitally, the week on paper.
How do I plan acquisition without constantly postponing it?
As a fixed block in the quarterly goal, not as a task in the week. Tasks without deadlines lose against tasks with deadlines — quarterly goals, though, are back in front of you at every weekly planning session.
Bookkeeping and taxes in the same planner?
Yes, as a recurring appointment. The planner isn't meant to manage the receipts, but to protect the time slot in which it gets done.
What if I start mid-year?
Then the 18-month planner is the better choice. It starts in October and runs until March of the year after next — start any time without losing pages.
Just write to us.
Two sentences about your everyday life are enough — we'll tell you honestly which planner fits. Even if it's none of ours.