The 3-Step Method I Use to Plan Each Week (And Actually Stick To It!)
Do you ever feel like your weeks just… disappear? Like you're constantly putting out fires and never actually getting around to the things thatreallymatter? I used to feel exactly the same way. Every Sunday night, I'd tell myself, "This week will be different!" Only to find myself in the exact same overwhelmed and stressed-out state by Friday.
I tried everything. Fancy planners, complicated time-blocking systems, even promising myself a reward for completing tasks (which usually ended with me eating the reward without doing the work!). Nothing seemed to stick.
Then, I stumbled upon a simple, 3-step method that completely changed the game for me. It's not about micromanaging every minute of your day. It's about creating a clear vision for the week ahead and then prioritizing your tasks in a way that makes them feel manageable and achievable.
This isn't some miracle cure or a secret productivity hack. It's just a practical system that works for me, and I think it can work for you too. Let's dive in!
My Weekly Planning Process in 3 Simple Steps
Here’s the breakdown of my weekly planning routine, stripped down to the essentials. Remember, this isn't about perfection; it's about progress. Don't feel pressured to implement every single detail perfectly from day one. Experiment, adjust, and find what works best for you.
Step 1: Sunday Evening Review - Reflect and Reconnect
Sunday evenings are my sacred time for reflection and planning. I know, Sunday evenings can feel like the calm before the storm of the work week, but taking just 30-60 minutes to plan can make a HUGE difference.
What I do
Look Back at Last Week: I start by quickly reviewing my calendar and to-do list from the previous week. What did I accomplish? What got pushed to the side? What felt energizing, and what felt draining? This isn't about self-criticism; it's about gathering data. For example, maybe I notice that I consistently procrastinated on writing that blog post. This could be a sign that the task was too daunting or that I needed to break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Check My Calendar: I go through my calendar for the upcoming week, noting all fixed commitments like meetings, appointments, and social events. This gives me a clear picture of how much free time I actually have available. Don't underestimate the power of visually seeing where your time is already allocated. Brain Dump: This is where I unleash all the swirling thoughts, ideas, and to-dos from my brain onto paper (or a digital document, if that's your preference). Everything goes in: work tasks, personal errands, home projects, even random ideas for future blog posts. The goal is to get everything out of my head and onto a tangible list. Identify Top 3 Priorities: From the brain dump, I choose my top 3 priorities for the week. These are the tasks that will have the biggest impact on my goals, both personal and professional. They should be challenging but achievable. For example, instead of "Work on website," I might choose "Write draft of new 'About Me' page for website." Being specific is key! I write these priorities down at the top of my planning page to keep them front and center.
Why this works
Reflection: Looking back helps me learn from my past successes and failures. Clarity: Calendar review provides a realistic view of available time. Release: Brain dumping clears mental clutter and reduces overwhelm. Focus: Prioritizing helps me avoid getting bogged down in less important tasks.
Step 2: Monday Morning Mapping - Allocate and Assign
Monday mornings used to be my least favorite time of the week. I'd start the day feeling stressed and scattered, unsure of where to begin. Now, I use Monday mornings to map out my week and give each day a specific focus.
What I do
Review Sunday Evening Plan: I revisit my top 3 priorities from Sunday evening. Allocate Time Blocks: I look at my calendar and carve out specific time blocks for each priority. I try to be realistic about how much time each task will actually take. It’s better to underestimate and be pleasantly surprised than to overestimate and feel discouraged. Theme Each Day (Optional):This is something I've started doing recently, and it's been incredibly helpful. I assign a theme to each day of the week. For example: Monday: "Admin Day" (Catch up on emails, handle paperwork, make phone calls)
Tuesday: "Content Creation Day" (Writing, filming, editing)
Wednesday: "Meetings & Collaboration Day"
Thursday: "Project Work Day"
Friday: "Wrap-Up & Planning Day"
This isn’t rigid – I don't force myself to stick to the theme if something urgent comes up. But it helps me stay focused and prioritize tasks that align with the day's theme. Break Down Large Tasks: If one of my top priorities is a large project, I break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. For example, instead of "Write ebook," I might break it down into "Outline ebook chapters," "Write introduction," "Write Chapter 1." This makes the overall project feel less daunting and makes it easier to track my progress. Add Smaller Tasks and Errands: Once I've allocated time for my top priorities, I add in smaller tasks and errands to fill in the gaps. These are things like responding to emails, running to the grocery store, or scheduling appointments.
Why this works
Structure: Allocating time blocks provides structure and prevents procrastination. Focus: Theme days help me prioritize tasks and avoid getting distracted. Manageability: Breaking down large tasks makes them less overwhelming. Completeness: Adding smaller tasks ensures that I'm addressing all my responsibilities.
Step 3: Daily Check-In - Adjust and Execute
Planning is great, but it's only half the battle. The real magic happens when you consistently check in with yourself each day to adjust your plan and execute your tasks.
What I do
Morning Review: Each morning, I take 5-10 minutes to review my plan for the day. I look at my calendar, my to-do list, and my top priorities. This helps me start the day feeling focused and prepared. Prioritize Tasks: I re-prioritize my tasks for the day based on any new information or urgent requests. Things change, and it's important to be flexible! Time Blocking (Again): I may need to adjust my time blocks based on the day’s priorities. Maybe a meeting ran long, or something unexpected came up. Progress Tracking: Throughout the day, I track my progress on my to-do list. I cross off completed tasks, and I note any challenges or obstacles I encounter. Evening Review: At the end of the day, I take a few minutes to review what I accomplished and what still needs to be done. I move any unfinished tasks to the next day or week. Gratitude Practice: I also take a moment to reflect on something I'm grateful for from the day. This helps me end the day on a positive note, even if things didn't go exactly as planned.
Why this works
Focus: Morning review keeps me on track and prevents me from getting sidetracked. Adaptability: Re-prioritizing allows me to respond to changing circumstances. Momentum: Progress tracking provides a sense of accomplishment and motivates me to keep going. Awareness: Evening review helps me learn from my experiences and improve my planning process. Positivity:Gratitude practice promotes a positive mindset and reduces stress.
People Also Ask
Q: What if I don't have time to plan?
A: I totally understand that feeling! But trust me, spending a little time planning upfront can save you a lot of time and stress in the long run. Start small. Even just 15 minutes on Sunday evening and 5 minutes each morning can make a big difference. Think of it as an investment in your future productivity.
Q: What if I don't stick to my plan?
A: That's okay! Nobody sticks to their plan perfectly all the time. The key is to be flexible and adaptable. Don't beat yourself up if you miss a deadline or get sidetracked. Just get back on track as soon as possible. Remember, planning is a process, not a destination.
Final Thoughts: Small Changes, Big Impact
This 3-step method isn't a magic bullet, but it's helped me take control of my weeks and feel more productive and less stressed. The beauty of this system is its simplicity and flexibility. You can adapt it to fit your own unique needs and preferences.
The most important thing is to start. Pick one small step to implement this week and see how it goes. Maybe it's just taking 10 minutes on Sunday evening to brain dump your to-dos. Or maybe it's reviewing your plan each morning.
Small changes can lead to big results. And remember, planning isn't about perfection; it's about progress. You've got this!