The Monthly Spread in planners can feel pretty obvious, but there are other ways to utilize the spread that you may not have known about.
For those of you who don't know, the Monthly Spread is that calendar that is at the beginning of the Planner (typically at the beginning of each month's weekly/daily breakdown). Depending on what the focus of my planner is, the Monthly Spread can accompany a number of different items within it.
Appointments & Events
The most obvious methods to using your Monthly Spread is to document special events or appointments that occur throughout the year.
I document the 'seriousness' of the event by either switching between a bolder pen and a thinner pen or color code between colors depending on what theme I use with the spread.
This calendar can look flooded with "DENTIST APPOINTMENT @ 1:30pm" to "DINNER WITH THE GIRLS @ 7:00pm" and maybe some minor events like "GROCERY SHOPPING". The color coding can really help you visualize the variety of events that can take up your day. It's a quick look at what is coming up and what you need to prepare for.
It also helps give a baseline of what to prepare for in the week or days ahead. It's also a good way to look back at all the things you've done in past months in one quick glance!
Finances
A great way to also use your Monthly Spread is to mark when bills and loans are due. It could be marked in as a different color if you're combining everything into one Spread, even.
I like to add transparent dots next to the dates as a reminder that I have something due.
I will typically add the dots, and then itemize the bill due in my weekly spread so I can have it all in one space. This method helps me keep track with pay days and when bills are due so I can actively stay on top of all of my financial needs, and see where I'm spending too much or can afford to splurge on a few things here and there.
Health & Wellness
Another great way to use the Monthly Spread is to track workouts and weights. I like to use the boxes to plan out may workouts that I'm going to do - sometimes, I do it as a whole month if I am following a program, or week-by-week if I'm trying new things.
Again, I color code depending on weights, cardio and rest days.
When I did 21 Day Fix, I would mark with colored dots to match the boxes. This helped me see if I was on track or if I was cheating far too much without intentionally doing it.
Other Options
Some of the other things I like to record in my Monthly Spread if I'm using my planner differently are:
Book Tracking
Quote of the Days
Memory Planner with writing or pictures
Doodle-of-the-Day
Gratitude Journal
Studying Tracker
Outfit-of-the-Day
Final Thoughts
There are so many amazing ways to utilize the Monthly Spread in your planner that don't all have to be boring and predictable. Don't be afraid to change things up and try new things - mix and match and have fun with it.
What are some other ways you use the Monthly Spread? Let me know!
Comments