Sometimes a planner does not need a full reset. It just needs ten quiet minutes, a quick brain dump, and a little follow-through.
When Your Planner Starts Feeling Messy
When I sit down with my planner intending to do a weekly review, sometimes it feels a little chaotic. I see sticky notes that still need to be processed, half-written tasks on my daily page, and mail stuck in the back.
I start feeling uneasy, like I may have forgotten something important simply because I have not taken the time to fully see things through. That is the whole reason for using a planner in the first place.
This is usually when I decide to make the time for a quick reset. It is a simple process that does not take long, and it fixes that uneasy feeling pretty quickly.
My Monday Morning Planner Habit
On a good week, I try to do my weekly planner review on Monday morning when I sit down to begin my work week.
I am still a little hesitant to call this a real job because I am not earning a "normal" salary yet, but I do put in the work.
Doing the review in the morning works best for me because it is the beginning of the day and the beginning of the week. Putting it off until later would only extend that nagging feeling of "Did I forget something?"
The review itself is not complicated. It is just a simple routine, written on a sticky note, that helps me get ready for the week ahead.
What I call it: a weekly planner review. It is quick, simple, and easy to repeat.
Step 1: Start With a Brain Dump
As I have mentioned before, I always start with a brain dump.
I open my notes page and begin writing down everything that is on my mind. It might be things like:
- Reschedule the doctor's appointment I lost
- Make a call for my husband
- Set up a time to see the chiropractor
- Watch a video on creating social media content
It can also include random things like, "Do we need baking soda?"
That is not something you would normally write on a task list, but it is on your mind. Sometimes those little reminders affect other things like the grocery list or even reminding my husband to check the car battery cables.
Random things count in a brain dump. The goal is simply to get everything out of your head.
Step 2: Review the Previous Week
After the brain dump, I look back over the last seven days, sometimes longer if I have been a little lax, and scan for tasks that were not finished.
Occasionally I find tasks that I actually completed but forgot to check off.
For tasks that are still unchecked, I do one of three things:
- Move them forward
- Delete them if they are no longer relevant
- Do them right then if they will only take two minutes
For example, something like "check if we are out of dog food" can usually be handled immediately.
This step is what keeps things from slipping through the cracks.
Step 3: Clear Planner Clutter
Over time, my planner collects clutter.
Old notes, ideas, receipts, and reminders start piling up and make everything feel messy. A messy planner does not make you feel organized.
So I simply clear out anything that does not belong there.
Sometimes that means throwing things away. Other times it means processing them properly. For example, instead of leaving an appointment card tucked in a pocket, I write the appointment down where it actually belongs.
Once that clutter is cleared, the planner starts feeling usable again.
Step 4: Check the Week's Appointments
Next I take a look at my appointments and commitments for the week.
I usually review them in my monthly pages or my weekly pages. I do not use weekly pages very often anymore since I switched to Day on Two Pages inserts, but they are still useful if you want to see the entire week at a glance.
Once I review the appointments, I make sure they are written into my daily pages. Doing this simple step helps you feel prepared for the week instead of surprised or caught off guard.
How Sticky Notes Fit Into My Planner
Some people say you do not need sticky notes if you are using the Franklin planner system.
While it is possible to make that work, I sometimes get in a hurry and jot things down on sticky notes instead of writing directly in my planner.
If you do this, make sure the sticky notes have good adhesive so they do not fall off.
Then, as soon as you get the chance, transfer that information into your planner during your weekly review.
I also keep a sticky note on my desk for quick grocery reminders. During the week I jot down things we might need from the store, and I take that note with me when I make my grocery list.
Sticky notes may not be required, but they are still useful when life moves faster than your planner pages.
Why This Only Takes About 10 Minutes
This entire process usually takes about 10 minutes or less because I try to follow the same steps each week.
Taking just a few minutes to review the week at the beginning saves time and reduces stress later. When everything is written down and processed, I no longer have that uneasy feeling that I might be forgetting something.
If you do not already practice a weekly planner review, I encourage you to try it.
Write the steps on a sticky note, tuck it into your planner, and pull it out every Monday morning. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make a big difference in how your planner works for you all week.
Final Thought
A weekly planner review does not have to be fancy or time-consuming. A few quiet minutes on Monday morning can help you clear the clutter, catch unfinished tasks, and start the week feeling much more prepared.
Do you do a weekly planner review? If so, I would love to know what steps you include in yours.
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