Why You Need a Daily Planning Routine (Even If You Think You Don’t)
Ever feel like your to-do list is out to get you? You start the day with the best intentions, but by lunchtime, you’re drowning in emails, forgetting appointments, and wondering if it’s too early for a nap. I’ve been there!
A daily planning routine saved me from the chaos. It helped me stay on track, get things done, and—most importantly—feel less overwhelmed. The trick? A simple, repeatable system that works for real life. Let’s dive into five easy steps to make daily planning a habit that actually sticks!
1. The Brain Dump Method: Clear the Clutter in Your Head
Before you can plan your day, you need to get all those swirling thoughts out of your brain. Enter: the brain dump. This isn’t about making a perfect list. It’s about unloading everything—tasks, reminders, random ideas—onto paper.
How to Brain Dump Like a Pro:
- Set a timer for five minutes.
- Write down everything on your mind (no editing!).
- Sort your list: Must-do, should-do, and would-be-nice-to-do.
- Transfer only the top priorities to your planner.
Pro Tip: Use colorful planner stickers to categorize tasks. A little flair makes planning more fun!Prioritize Like a Boss: Not Everything is Urgent!
Now that you have your list, it’s time to figure out what actually needs to get done today. Prioritizing is key to avoiding overwhelm and staying focused.
2. Ways to Prioritize:
- Top Three Method: Choose the three most important tasks for the day.
- Time-Sensitive vs. Flexible: Highlight urgent tasks so they don’t sneak up on you.
- Decide What Can Be Out Sourced: Some tasked are better handled by others. Would it be a better use of your resources and time if someone else did the task?
- Is This Necessary: Not everything on our lists need to be done. Is this task something I would like to do but do not NEED to do.
- Planner Layouts: Use daily spreads that help organize tasks by importance (bonus points for stickers!).
Planner Hack: If it’s not important or urgent, move it to another day. You don’t have to do it all.
Prevent Overwhelm: Break up large tasks in to smaller bites. It will makes your list less overwhelming.
3. Time Blocking: Give Your Tasks a Home
Ever plan a huge to-do list only to realize there aren’t enough hours in the day? That’s where time blocking saves the day.
How to Time Block:
- Assign a time slot to each major task.
- Schedule most important tasks first.
- Include breaks (yes, lunch counts!).
- Be realistic—don’t schedule back-to-back tasks with zero breathing room.
- Schedule/bundle like tasks together.
- Schedule fun and downtime.
Example Time Block:
- 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Answer emails and plan the day
- 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM: Deep work (projects, writing, creative tasks)
- 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM: Lunch & brain reset
- 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Meetings or focused tasks
- 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM: Wrap up and review
Planner Power Move: Use washi tape or highlighters to visually separate time blocks. It makes planning more fun and easy to follow!
Time Block Hack: If you have a lot of daily tasks, set a timer for 30 minutes. Silence phone and notifications. Focus to complete the task at hand; it doesn’t need to be perfect, just done.
4. Daily Review: What Worked, What Didn’t
Planning isn’t just about writing things down—it’s about learning what works best for you. A quick review at the end of the day helps refine your system.
Daily Check-In Questions:
- What did I accomplish today?
- What took longer than expected?
- What can I adjust for tomorrow?
Planner Tip: Jot down one small win every day—it keeps motivation high!
5. The Secret to Sticking With It: Make It a Habit
The best planning system in the world won’t work if you don’t use it. The key? Make it a habit, not a chore.
Ways to Stay Consistent:
- Pair it with an existing habit (morning coffee + planning = success!).
- Set a timer each day as a reminder to plan.
- Keep your planner in sight (out of sight, out of mind!).
- Put reminders or your schedule on your phone.
- Reward yourself for sticking to it (hello, cute new planner stickers!).
- Use your daily planner as a guide and keep it flexible. Expect the unexpected each day, embrace it and pivot.
Start Small, Stick With It, and Watch the Magic Happen!
Planning doesn’t have to be complicated. Start with just five minutes a day. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. And trust me—future you will thank you when your days feel less chaotic and way more productive!
Need a kick start? Here is a simple printable Brain Dump and Daily Schedule.
What’s Included:
You will receive both files shown in PDF form.
PRINTING GUIDELINES:
- Print at 100%.
- Use good quality bight white paper for best results.
RESOURCES:
 |
Simple Undated Planner
|
 |
Hammermill Premium 32 Lb Paper
|
 |
Plum Paper Planner
|
 |
Erin Condren Daily Life Planner Duo
|
| **** above are affiliate Amazon links where I get a small percentage of the sale. Your price for the item will be the same and not increase. |
