How can you build and keep a planning habit?

1 Set SMART goals

The first step to building a planning habit is to have clear and realistic goals that you want to pursue. A useful way to define your goals is to use the SMART criteria: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This helps you to clarify what you want to accomplish, how you'll measure your progress, whether it's feasible, why it matters, and when you'll complete it. By setting SMART goals, you'll have a better sense of direction and motivation for your planning.

2 Choose a planning method

When organizing your tasks and projects, you can choose from a variety of planning methods. The Eisenhower matrix helps prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance, while the Pomodoro technique encourages short bursts of focused work with breaks in between. The Kanban board allows you to visualize your workflow and track progress, and the SMARTER framework helps review and improve goals with two additional criteria: Evaluate and Readjust. You can experiment to find the best method for you, or even combine them as needed.

3 Schedule your planning time

Another key to building a planning habit is to make it a regular part of your schedule. You can choose a frequency that works for you, whether it's daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly, and block out some time to plan ahead. You can use a calendar, a planner, a reminder app, or any other tool that helps you to stay on track. By scheduling your planning time, you'll make it more likely that you'll follow through and avoid procrastination.

4 Use planning tools

Planning tools can help you to make your planning process simpler and more enjoyable. Whether you prefer digital or physical tools, or a combination of both, there are plenty of options available. Apps like Todoist, Trello, Evernote, and Google Calendar are great for setting and tracking goals, tasks, deadlines, reminders, notes, and more. Journals can also be used to plan your day, week, month, or year in various formats and styles such as bullet journals, gratitude journals, or vision boards. Additionally, templates such as the SMART goal template, the Eisenhower matrix template, and the Kanban board template can guide your planning process. You can find these templates online or create your own customised versions. Experiment with different planning tools to find the ones that work best for you.

5 Review and adjust your plans

The final step to building a planning habit is to review and adjust your plans regularly, to see how you're doing and what you need to change. You can use the SMARTER framework or any other method that helps you to evaluate your performance, identify your strengths and weaknesses, celebrate your wins, and learn from your mistakes. By reviewing and adjusting your plans, you'll be able to adapt to changing circumstances, overcome challenges, and achieve your goals.

6 Enjoy the benefits of planning

By following a few simple steps, you can build and maintain a planning habit that works for you. Planning can increase your focus and clarity, boost your productivity, reduce stress and anxiety, improve decision-making, and enhance your confidence. It's a skill you can learn and get better at over time, and it can make a real positive difference in your life. So why not start today and see the results for yourself?

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?