Planner Prep
If you’re tired of ignoring plans you made to accomplish your goals, want to stop missing people’s birthdays, end waiting too long before your chance to host a holiday gathering has passed, and finally start tracking or recording your life then this is the article for you!
Raise your hand if you’re like me and you’ve previously gotten a planner yet didn’t use it much or never utilized it at all?!?!?
No need to feel guilty, raise that hand proud and know that if you’re still reading I’m really excited you’re giving it another shot! Gathering an organized way to plan our lives is not a one size fits all process, and can take some time to create the elements that work for each individual.
I’ve found two ways to avoid not using your planner in the future is to:
Ensure you’ve chosen to track something that requires you to look at and utilize a planner every single day. Otherwise, it’s easy to revert back to not using it at all, so make sure to track something even if it seems small.
Don’t utilize more than one calendar. Make a choice of what format suits your needs best whether it’s a paper planner, bullet journal, desktop calendar, wall calendar, phone, etc. then stick with it.
Dreams will always be just that unless we organize the tasks needed to reach that goal! Setting up a planner supports our journey of intentionally making time in our schedules for our goals, and building the discipline to complete those tasks! Then from there, it’s all about making a few tweaks based on what’s working to be duplicated, or what’s not so it’s removed.
It’s easier to see what’s helping us grow and what’s hindering us when we’ve got the ability to look back on what was planned versus what we’re able to accomplish, and reflect on changes or adjustments needed moving forward!
Anniversaries
Birthdays
[Pro-Tip: Place a reminder 2 weeks in advance so you’ve got time to appropriately purchase, mail, and complete gifts or plans before the day arrives, while keeping a reminder of the actual day of so you’re able to call or FaceTime them]
Cleaning Schedule - Kid’s Chores
Goals [Personal, Carrer, Relationships, Family]
Maintenance Schedule [Air Filters, Pest Control, Fire Alarm Batteries, Oil Changes]
Holiday Plans
Parties - Social Events
Vacations
Due [Bills, Projects, Savings Contributions, Pay Day]
Wellness [Daily Physical Exercise, Mental Exercises, Weight Loss, Food, Water Intake, Meditation, Step Tracker]
Gardening Schedule
Important Upcoming Releases [Books, Movies, Shows, Games, Music]
Wedding [Budget, Themes, Task List, Theme/Decor, Events, Guest Lists, Shower Guest List, Floral, Photography, Venues]
Pregnancy [Ovulation, Baby’s Size, Cravings, Symptoms, Registry List, Thank Yous]
Children’s Schedules [Project Due Dates, Spirit Week, Picture Day, Sports, Events, Extracurriculars, Eating Schedule, Sleeping Schedule]
Memories [Photos, Postcards, Tickets, Momentos, Cards, Children’s Milestones]
Lists [To-do, Bucket List, Wish List, Kid’s Gift Lists, Passwords, Budgets, Contacts, Packing]
Keep reading for even more reoccurring categories.
Kate personally utilizes a Daily Day Designer [Previously used Erin Condren & Lilly Pulitzer]
When considering recurring needs keep the main categories of personal development, increasing career knowledge, job deadlines, children’s schedules, hobbies, marriage, entertainment, spiritual, home maintenance, and social in mind.
Everyone has 24 hours in a day, each person utilizes and prioritizes it differently. So, you should include personal, work, and all reminders in the same place to ensure you’re intentional about maintaining the proper balance for your independent needs!
Recurring Due Dates & Deadlines [Meetings, Reports, Calling Family/Friends]
Recurring Yearly [Family Reunion, Taxes, Yearly Physical, Subscriptions]
Recurring 6 Months [Dentist, Vet]
Recurring Monthly [Book Club, Date Night, Fertility, School Calendars, Extracurriculars, Maintenance]
Recurring Weekly [Menu Plan, Meal Prep, Grocery Shopping]
Recurring Daily [New Routines, Habits, Journaling, Quotes/Affirmations, Devotionals, Chores, Brain Dumps,]
If you’re still reading I hope this checklist helps you set up a planner that’ll give you the ability to enjoy things in the moment, instead of worrying about getting last-minute plans figured out, or stressing about things you’ve forgotten.