Especially when you have way too many ideas to put down on paper.
It's the beginning of a new year and you've got a brand new Planner staring at you - waiting for you to pick it up, to use it, to put every thought and idea into it and become that version of yourself you've always dreamed of becoming.
At the same time, however, there are too many ideas and you have no idea how to even start.
There is no right answer when it comes to planners other than this: It's meant to work for you.
Below are some of the ways I start the process; I also use these steps when I want to re-fresh my planner, or need something new. Personally, I'm a big fan of "fresh starts". It's a way that I can engage myself to recreate the wheel that no longer works for me.
Tip #1 - Make a List
You're probably thinking: "Ishita...if I'm making a list, why do I need a planner?" This is why. There is no limit to what you can put in your planner and what you can record in there. In fact, it's almost overwhelming, especially if you're new to the planner world. If you're researching options, it's easy to get lost in the sea of what others use and it becomes hard to not want to include those items into your precious book.
The key, however, is to know that not everything works for everyone. Find items that speak to what you want to focus on the most. Whether it's targeted to personal development, working out, meal planning, or just keeping a place to brain dump.
Here are some of the things I record in my planner or have in the past:
Sleep
Energy & Productivity
Mood
Self-Care
Quote of the Day (you'll often see this on my stories on my instagram, too)
Outfit of the Day (it helps me try and get dressed up for work and it strengths my mood when I do)
Meal Planning
Financial Goals
Daily Spending
Bills
Cleaning List
Daily To-Do List
Appointments & Events
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Reading List
TV / Movies List
Podcast List
Not everything gets recorded every day; some are little items that just make a mundane day more exciting, Some are things I do track often so I can see all the correlations between it all. Again, this is not obligation - you choose what works for you. Some only need two things and that's all. That's okay. Your planner needs to work for you. I will say that a lot.
Tip #2 - Break out the Sticky Notes (Pre-Planning)
Not the cute ones that you use daily; the ugly ones that are there from high school that you never got rid of. I say this because I always end up trashing these and tearing them into smaller pieces. I have a "nice" set of sticky notes, and a "for pre-planning" set.
This is where it gets fun.
At this point, I've got myself a glass of wine, a great movie playing in the background and it's time to play.
Using the list of items I want to document, I write each one on its own sticky note and start placing it in sections on my planner and in various spots. Some items go in the Monthly Spread, some go in the Weekly and others get plopped into the Daily.
I use this method to help me pre-plan how I want this to be set up. It also allows me to change things up and move items around as I focus on how I want this planner to work for me.
Tip #3 - Ink to Paper
I get nervous putting pen to paper in a brand new book. The sticky note method helps allay that small anxiety in me because I have a plan laid out.
Write those items down. You know where you want them to be so add them to the page officially. Bills due? Write them down where you wanted to put them for the month. Appointments? Go ahead and write those in, too.
The items that you know ahead of time can all be written down.
Tip #3.1: I lay these items down at the beginning of the month as part of my Monthly Set-Up. Some items like minor events will get added when I lay out my Weekly Spread.
Tip #4 - Decorate
This Planner is yours; add stickers, Washi tape, colored pens, doodles - whatever you need or want to help bring the planner to life.
If you prefer a more minimalistic option, keep it simple with just your favorite pen and the pages of your Planner.
Tip #5 - Schedule Time
Take some time for yourself to fill in the planner. It doesn't have to be hours a day - it doesn't even have to be daily. Choose something that works for you.
I like:
5 minutes in the morning to map out my day
20 minutes at the end of the day to journal
Time on Sundays to plan out my week before and back-log information
Tip #6 - Forgive Yourself
Forgive yourself. Forgive yourself if you don't write in your planner as much as you wanted, if there are blank pages that never got touched, that your plans changed, that you want to try something new. It's okay. Whatever you originally start with is not set in stone. Styles and spreads can always be changed and modified. Life always evolves, and with it, your mindset. Let your planner grow with you. Let it help guide you, not hinder you from becoming the best version of yourself.
A Planner Only Works if You Allow it to
There are no rules for planning. Do what brings you joy, what makes you happiest. If you don't like how something turned out, change it.
Next week, I will focus on talking about the different types of planning styles.
Have a great week, everyone!
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