this post contains affiliate links
I would be lost without my Happy Planner! My weekly planning sessions each Friday night take about 30 minutes, but they set me up for a productive week. Here’s what I do:
- Start with a color palette and lay down basic stickers and washi in my usual pattern. I try not to spend too much time with this, but I’ve really found that stickers help things to stand out – and it’s fun! 🙂
- Look at my Google calendar and add in appointments, birthdays or other events. Paul and I use shared Google calendars to keep track of each other’s calendars.
- Look ahead on my Google calendar to plan for birthdays or holidays. I put a sticky note on any upcoming weeks to remind myself what day I need to have cards or packages in the mail for on-time arrival.
- Fill in weekly recurring tasks – here’s my current schedule:
-
- Monday: Dust
- Tuesday: Laundry (clothes) & Vacuum
- Wednesday: Clean Hall Bathroom
- Thursday: Laundry (clothes)
- Friday: Answer blog and YouTube comments/Clean Master Bathroom
- Saturday: Laundry (linens, towels and delicates), Sweep & Mop, Vacuum
- Sunday: Pay Bills, Make Grocery List & Menu Plan, Meal Prep
-
- Write each day’s blog post title with accompanying tasks (sharing on social media, linking up to blog hops, etc.)
- (Sunday night) Fill in the week’s menu plan and add daily reminders for meat that needs to be thawed, etc.
Each day I reference my planner multiple times, adding in tasks and crossing things off as I finish them. Leaving it open on the kitchen counter helps me to stay on task and motivates me to get things done.
If you’re looking for a simple way to increase your productivity at home (no matter if you are a stay at home wife or a full time working mom), try planning ahead with a weekly planning session!
Here’s the exact planner I’m using for 2019. I try to grab it during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales and never pay more than $15 for it. My stickers and planner decorating supplies usually come from the Dollar Tree and Target’s dollar spot, but I love having a book of Happy Planner stickers on hand as well.
Read More: How To Get The Most Out Of Your Planner
Come Home For Comfort 
You have inspired me to be a better planner!
LikeLike
Yay! You can do it! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Long live planners!! I love having everything in one spot – appointments, school schedules, my husband’s schedule, birthdays, gift buying list and my daily to do lists. It helps me help our family run smoothly. I don’t do many stickers or extras because my planner is more on the petite side. I do color code my events though 🙂
LikeLike
I love your system for planning – it’s been tested and tried through the years, hasn’t it?! 🙂 Color coding is a great idea…I need to try that for work. I use a steno pad for running to-do’s and for notes during phone calls – and color coding would help me keep it all straight. Thanks for the tip! 🙂
LikeLike
I started using a planner this year. It’s gone from planning ahead to writing down things after I did them. I think I need to get back on track so I can be more productive. Thanks for sharing! 🙂
LikeLike
It sounds like you’re getting stuff done, though, so that’s good! Maybe a weekly planning session like this one would help you to just text it to the next level. 🙂
LikeLike
These are great ideas. I have a planner and barely use it….certainly not to the potential it could be. And I so love schedule and routine – you think I would be hooked to my planner:) You have inspired to try and make better use of mine!
LikeLike
It’s especially helpful when I’m trying out a new schedule or routine. There’s just something about writing it all out and crossing it off that takes the joy of productivity to the next level. 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing, Whitney. It’s fun to see how you use your planner, and sticker-decorating makes it fun. It’s funny how for me, the stickers keep me motivated to keep up with it and stay on task. I’d be lost without my planner, too! As you know, you turned me on to the HP, and it was a big game changer for me. 🤗
LikeLike
I feel the same way about stickers! They really do have a practical benefit. I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed your HP! ❤
LikeLike