*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase from any of my links at no extra charge to you.

In this post I’ll be sharing my top 7 tips on how to Plan and Crush Your Planning Goals.

I’ve been a planner girl for about 8 years now. I love using my planner to help me organize my day to day. Whether you’re planning your vacation, scheduling appointments or prepping your content for the week, a planner is a great way to help keep you on track.

If you are new to the paper planning world you may feel a bit overwhelmed when it comes to using planners. I know my first time using a planner I felt like I had to fill in all the spots with to-do’s or appointment. I also had to have all the goodies that come with planning. Pens, washi tape, paper clips, markers you name it.

Although I wanted all those things I didn’t start out with any of it. I used a planner from Target’s Dollar Spot and a Calendar from the Dollar Tree. It helped me keep track and learn how I wanted to use my planner. Over time I did eventually purchase a Happy Planner and since then I have used the Happy Planner for most of the 8 years of planning.

Planning doesn’t have to be super hard and to be honest with a pencil with a good eraser is all you really need to get started. But if you want to level up your planning skills, I’m here to offer some tips on how to How to Plan and Crush Your Goals.

tips on how to plan and crush your goals

What is a Planner used for?

A planner is a device, notebook or tool to help you capture tasks, goals, or upcoming to-do’s that you may need to prepare for.

Below, I will share my top tips on how to use your planner as a planner newbie or if you need a refresh.

Step 1: Start Out Small

My recommendation for a newbie in the planning community is to start out small. Get a planner you like, write down important dates and information. Slowly add stickers or washi if you like but focus on making your planner your assistant. Use it for reminders, tasks, to-do’s and appointments.

Step 2: Fill in Spaces

As I mentioned before I use my planner as my assistant, something I use to go over my daily, weekly and monthly activities. If you get into the habit of using your planner on a daily basis it will be second nature to have your planner out and form a habit using the planner as a tool.

I fill in all of my doctor appointments, birthdays, anniversary and any important dates I don’t want to forget.

Next I add any tasks or goals for the week and may even break it down even further as to daily tasks as well. For example I may need to make a Target run and pick up a gift for an upcoming birthday party. I’ll write it on my calendar on a day that I have free time to run that errand. That way I don’t forget and have to run out last minute throwing my day off.

Step 3: Build a Routine

It is very important that you build a routine. As I mentioned before you should create a habit of using your planner daily. First thing in the morning, while enjoying your breakfast, go over your day and prep for what you have scheduled.

Or look at your calendar the evening before and go over the next day’s activity. That way when your ready for bed you don’t have to think about what is needed the next day.

Step 4: Be Consistent

When building your routine and doing it daily, you will have helped yourself be more consistent with your day to day task. For example: Every evening before bed I check my planner for what I have scheduled the next day and prep for it, if I have to change my plans for whatever reason, I immediately write down the changes.

The more of a habit your build with your planner, the easier being consistent will be. Think of it like brushing your teeth, you do it every day without a second thought. Just add planning to your routine.

Step 5: Experiment with Planners

I love using my Happy Planner because I can add inserts to my planner and customize it to fit my needs. If you aren’t sure what type of planner you need (vertical, horizontal, blocked etc) just play around with one planner and make notes of what you’d like your planner to have that will make it easier for you to use.

Step 6: Don’t Overthink It

There is no rule that says you have to use your planner for one specific purpose. Your planner is personal to you and should reflect what you need it to reflect. I have 2 planners. One I use for my social Media and personal/health tracker another the other I use as a journal to remember the happy moments in my life. I used to have several but learned that one planner is all I truly need. But if I choose another planner to add to my collection I can!

Step 7: Have Fun!

Have Fun with your planner. It doesn’t have to be a chore or a difficult choice. Again I started out with a simple Target Dollar Spot Planner and a Dollar Tree Calendar. Then grew from there. Now I have 2 planners, washi tape and other fun goodies I collected over time. I enjoy using my planner and am learning different techniques that help me grow as a planner girl.

You too can start off small and grow and change. Because that’s the beauty of planning. You plan how you need to and change as you grow.

Good Luck with your planning adventures !

This post was about 17 Easy Tips on Staying Productive While Working From Home.

7 Easy Tips on How to Plan and Crush Your Goals

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a small commission if you purchase from any of my links at no extra charge to you.