The Very First Planning Layout That Actually Worked for Me (And Why I Still Think About It 10 Years Later)

The Very First Planning Layout That Actually Worked for Me

Ten years ago, I didn’t know a thing about “month on two pages” or “dashboard inserts.” I just knew I needed something to keep my week straight. Back then, my life was a swirl of homeschooling, family meals, church events, and daily responsibilities. I didn’t have time to experiment with fancy systems—I just needed a piece of paper that helped me think clearly.

So, I made one.

---

My Simple Half-Sheet Design

It was a week on one page—what we used to call a Week-at-a-Glance (like the old DayTimers). I divided the half-letter sheet into two columns and three rows, giving me lined blocks for each day of the week plus a notes section.

Monday through Thursday filled the left column, while Friday through Sunday and Notes were on the right column. Each block had several lines for writing, enough to fit the busy flow of a week without feeling cramped.

I designed it with ½-inch margins on both the left and right sides, then double-punched the edges so I could always keep the page on the right side of my planner no matter how it was turned. My to-do list insert—half the width of a half-letter sheet—sat neatly on top of the weekly page, aligned to the edge so the right column (Friday through Notes) was still visible underneath.

It created a layered, functional setup: I could glance at my week, flip the to-do list like a tab, and never lose my place. I didn’t migrate tasks or overthink categories. I just wrote things down and crossed them off. It was simple, efficient, and it worked beautifully.

---

Why It Worked So Well

Looking back, I realize that layout worked because it matched how my brain naturally sorted things:

• All in one view. I could see my entire week at a glance—no flipping or scrolling.

• Separation of tasks and schedule. My appointments lived on the weekly page; my running list stayed on the to-do sheet.

• Half-letter format. The size felt light and manageable—just enough space to plan without being overwhelming.

• No perfection pressure. I didn’t worry about stickers, highlightes, or “aesthetic spreads.” I just used it.

It turns out, simplicity breeds consistency. And consistency is what makes a system work.

---

When I Discovered All the Other Layouts

Then came the planner explosion (or at least for me) —month on two pages, dailies, dashboards, trackers, inserts for everything under the sun. I started exploring, and suddenly my once-simple system became complicated and I had to re-find "planner peace".

Don’t get me wrong—trying different things taught me so much. But sometimes I look back at that first layout and realize: it wasn’t missing anything essential. It gave me focus and flow.

---

The Lesson: Simple Still Wins

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by planner options, remember this—the best layout is the one that fits your life right now. Not the prettiest, not the most popular, but the one that helps you breathe easier when you open it. 

And sometimes, that’s a humble half sheet with a few ruled lines and a note section.

---

Want to Try It Yourself?

I recreated that very first layout for you as a free printable. It’s formatted for letter-size paper.

• Week-at-a-Glance layout -print back and front and cut in half.

• To-Do List insert - print back and front and cut in half twice (includes cut lines)

---

Final Thoughts

After ten years of planning, designing, and creating, I’ve learned that productivity isn’t about doing more—it’s about seeing clearly.

If your current planner feels too busy or overdesigned, maybe it’s time to revisit the basics. Sometimes the layout that worked first is the one that still works best.

Try it. Simplify. Cross things off. And remember: progress starts on paper.

Save & Read It Later!