So, I tried bullet journaling in 2022 and then evolved into my own system mixing both analog and digital tools. But this year? I fell off the planning wagon hard. Like, barely-planned-a-thing hard.
Here are the lessons I learned from my epic planning fail:
- Too much on my plate: Digital tools let me add infinite tasks, which is a recipe for overload.
- Guilt trip: Seeing unfinished tasks made me feel paralyzed. I knew I couldn’t finish them in time but didn’t want to erase them either.
- Out of sight, out of mind: Planning is pointless if you forget to look at your plan. I always forget to check my task manager and then my notebook planner of choice.
Tasks vs. life experiences: I collected tasks more than memories, when it should be the other way around.
So, for the rest of this year, I'm starting fresh with a new setup using just three tools: Weekly Planner, Memo Pad, and Reminders App.
Weekly Planner
I use Kinbor, the budget-friendly knockoff of Hobonichi Planner, as my weekly planner. I also have Hobonichi Weeks which I use for memory keeping at the end of the month.
My system is simple:
- Left side: Time blocking space.
- Right
side: Tasks that will get transferred to available time slots.
At the beginning of each week, I'll list all the tasks I want to do, prioritize them, block my time accordingly, and transfer them into my calendar or reminders app. Then I'll write a weekly reflection at the end of the week.
Memo Pad
This is my daily reflection tool for the week.
- Top of the page: Write down the date and jot down The Weekly
Highlights at the end of the week.
- Bottom of the page: List the four most important things to get done that week.
At the end of each day, I'll write down up to three highlights of the day. If there's a specific task for a particular day, I'll note it in the right corner and erase it when it's done.
Using a memo pad like this beats using a planner because it can stay open on my desk as a constant reminder of what’s truly important: my lived experiences.
Reminders App
I’ve tried every task management app under the sun and concluded that more features mean more chances for it to become an aspiration graveyard. I realized, if needed, I’d be better off with something like a project management tool where I can holistic plan and write notes for each task. So, Reminders app it is! It gives me notifications when something needs to be done and allows me to add only what absolutely must be done, with date and time.
And there you have it! My new super simple weekly planning setup that's all about balance and living in the moment. Let's see how this goes!