Truthfully, I have always loved the idea of having a planner. They seem to promise a lovely and organized life, which is what I’m always after! I’d come across one at a bookstore and feel like it had a kinetic energy, energy that could whip my life into shape.

Then I would buy it, use it for the months of January, February, and March, and promptly forget about it in April. When August finally rolled around I’d get it out again, and feel bad about myself because I’d wasted so many pages.

You see, what I haven’t always loved is the idea of making a plan. The spontaneous spirit in me didn’t want to write down every little thing and be held to it. That felt scary and (can I say it?) a little OCD.

I had all sorts of other hang-ups too: what if my handwriting ruined it? What if I had to cross out a canceled event— then my planner would look messy. Was my schedule really so complicated I couldn’t remember it in my head? And, then there was the one we all worry about: what if I don’t do what I set out to do? What if I fail?

But then I realized something. I don’t actually remember everything in my head! Surprise! And, if I don’t write things down, they often don’t happen.

Most significantly, I discovered that if I didn’t want my life to be over-scheduled and overwhelming, and I wanted to achieve bigger goals, then I had to start planning it—every single week. I had to let go of my fears of failing and making a mess.

For me, making a weekly plan was the beginning of actually looking at my schedule, and asking if my plans and goals corresponded to my top 5 values and taking some risks. It was the first step in NOT saying yes to everything I was asked to do. Instead, I started asking myself what I really wanted to do, what would get me closer to achieving my goals, and what would lead to a meaningful life in my own eyes.

However, I needed the right kind of planner. I needed one that wasn’t preset with dates. I wanted one that also included space for me to brainstorm my top goals for a month and note what I would do to achieve those goals, along with space to make a grocery list, and keep track of my budget.

They say when the student is ready, the teacher appears. In my case it was a planner! The Living Well Planner has all the things that I was looking for, and it’s pretty, and it comes with a free mini-course called Crushing It! What’s even more fitting is that the mini-course has a whole section on how to get over being afraid to mess up your planner by actually writing in it. It turns out that’s a very common fear! Who knew?

It has changed my week and my year! This year, I’ve stayed committed to writing my blog every week, taken new workout classes after 8 years of the exact same workout, and continuing a new organizing business. Those things didn’t happen magically, I had to do the work and put myself out there, but planning my week helped enormously. Having a planner that works for me has inspired me to sit down every Sunday evening and hold myself accountable to my goals.

I love my planner so much, that I want to share it with everyone I know! If you click this link you can buy my favorite planner for $5 off the regular price. I hope you love it as much as I do! But mainly, I want you to walk away from reading this post knowing you can do whatever it is you set your mind to do. Start with your weekly plan, and begin!

With Heart,
Lauren

P.S.

Here are more pictures of my favorite planner: