and how it might help you!
One of the reasons why I started planning was to work out.
I got excited every time I marked the calendar: done.
First, it helped me build consistency with my workout.
Second, it helped me build my system of staying consistent with the things I like to do.
Working full-time and having a lot of interests can be overwhelming when you have only 24 hours a day.
That is why planning helps me stay on the track.
With planning, you pay attention to 24 hours in your day.
Like everything else, planning is also a skill.
To ensure that something becomes a part of your routine, you should make it a habit.
What did I learn from planning?
Every tool is simply a tool until you use it to improve.
If it helped me, it might help someone else.
Staying consistent is hard, but the rewards are great.
Keeping track of progress helps with staying on the path.
Sometimes life happens.
Sometimes you will do a lot, and sometimes you won't.
I believe that days when you can do a lot will make up for those days you won't.
No matter what happens on that day, you should stick to at least 3 things for yourself.
For me, it is self-care, workout & coffee. :D
How do I plan?
In my opinion, there are a lot of tools, tips & tricks for planning.
Do some research and apply what you think is the best.
What works for you might not work for someone else, and vice versa.
Experiment with planning and find what fits you the best.
Having a flexible schedule with a rough plan for the day is the ideal way for me to work.
It allows me to make adjustments as needed while still having a clear outline of the tasks I want to complete.
That is why my planning usually looks like this:
Planning for the following week happens on Sunday or Monday morning.
I outline what are the activities set in stone. In my case, it is a full-time job.
Set weekly goals I want to achieve that week.
Habits, to-do's.
Additional things like meetings, grocery shopping...
Every day contains 'daily affirmation' & 'daily summary'.
I sometimes leave journal categories blank and keep them short to track progress.
Other times, I write a lot using the notes section.
With pen and paper, I combine my mobile phone calendar & Google Keep for notes.
You can use whatever works best for you.
Days where you don't want to plan can happen, and they are okay.
The key is to continue doing it even if you don't feel like doing it for a day or two.
Visually, my planning day would look like something below.
The example you can see is what I designed as a system that fits me.
It may fit you as well, so be sure to get it here.
How did I design a planner?
I tried some of the planners.
Something about them didn't feel right.
It was hard to stay consistent with them.
At one point, I got annoyed with what I found.
The idea to make one for myself was born.
After a few days of thinking and redesigning, I made my first planner.
I combined what I have done for years already.
Planning, journaling & self-checking.
That is why I went on and designed 2 things.
Planner & gratitude journal.
Planner turned out as a tool without dates.
Half-year and yearly analysis.
Monthly recap.
Wishlist, timetable, and notes section.
If you are interested in one, get it here.
It might help you, as it helped me.
Not only do I have an online edition, but I went a step further and made it into a physical product.
I must admit, doing that one thing beyond usual launched me out of my comfort zone.
And what happens when you get launched out of your comfort zone?
To find out, don't miss the next post.
How did you like this one?
Did you check the planner I mentioned?
Be sure to check it and let me know what you think!