Planning That Sticks: Monthly, Weekly, and Daily Routines to Keep You Inspired

Planning isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a rhythm that supports the life you want. Whether you’re juggling work, family, or creative projects, a gentle structure can make your days feel lighter, calmer, and more joyful. Here are simple monthly, weekly, and daily planning tips you can start today—plus creative prompts to make it fun and easy to stick to.

Monthly Planning Tips — Set Your Big Picture Purpose: Zoom out, choose what matters, and map the milestones.

1. Choose a monthly theme

• Examples: “New Beginnings”, “Rest & Reset”, “Creative Growth”, “Health First”.

• Make it visual: use a colour palette or sticker collection that you feel aligns with the theme and pick out some quotes to keep you inspired. 

2. Set 3 Focus Goals

• Try to keep it to three maximum, any more and it can become overwhelming! Try one personal, one work/creative and one wellness to get started.

• Keep them measurable and kind. Example: “Create between 6-10 new product listings”, “Walk at least 60k steps”, “Read 1-3 books”.

• Bonus tip - setting a scale, like reading 1-3 books gives you an easier goal to hit and something to stretch for. So wherever you land between those numbers makes you a winner! 

3. Milestone Mapping

• Mark key dates: events, deadlines, birthdays, appointments, weekends away ... block out time to work on your goals around them.

• Create your life admin list and make time to blast through it! Tasks like paying bills are easy to complete but cn weigh on your mind when you don't get them done, so get them out the way.  

4. Habits and rituals

• Pick 1-3 habits to focus on: hydration, movement, bedtime, journaling, screen-free hour.
• Use water trackers, step trackers, or mood trackers for visual motivation and to keep you on track. Remember, what gets measured, gets managed! 

Monthly Journal Prompts 

• What would make this month feel magical?
• If I could only complete three things, what would they be?
• What do I need to say “no” to for more peace?
• What am I excited to learn or try?

Make It Fun

• Monthly playlist: create a soundtrack for your theme.
  
• Memories: save ticket stubs, photos, or notes for your journal to get creative later
• Get creative! Creativity equals joy, so when you add creativity to your planning process it makes planning fun and you feel good. 

Make It a Habit

• First-of-the-month ritual: tea, a cosy corner, 30 minutes with your planner.
  
• Keep it visible: keep your open your planner on your desk; use a magnetic bookmark to mark the monthly goals page so your priorities stay top of mind. 

Weekly Planning — Turn Goals into Plans

The most important thing...

• What's the one most important thing you want to do this week? 
• Use that to set your weekly goal and create a “Must-Do” and “Nice-to-Do” task list.

How do you  want to show up?

• Your goals are about what you want to do, now it's time to set an intention for how you want to show up. 
• Got a big week that needs courage? Or a busy week ahead that you want to show up feeling calm for? 

The Rule of Three

• Think about three actions per day that help you reach your goals - you don't need to plan them all in now, but think about when you will have time this week to complete them. 

Meal Planning

• Planning your meals out means less time staring at the fridge wondering what to have... So decide today and if you change your mind mid-week that's ok! 

Weekly Journal Prompts

• What would make this week feel successful (even if nothing else happens)?
• Where can I create an extra hour of calm?
• Which task will take 15 minutes that I’ve been avoiding?
• What can I do to treat myself this week? 

Make It Fun

• Use a weekly challenge: no-phone mornings, 10-minute tidy, 7 glasses of water a day.
• Reward yourself: Maybe a mid-week pastry from the local bakery ... or perhaps a cheeky stationery order? 

Make It a Habit

• Same time, same place: 20-minute planning session every Sunday evening - and if you miss a week - don't worry! Do what you can. 
  
• Mini-review: 5 minutes on Friday to celebrate wins and move leftover tasks guilt-free.

Daily Planning & Intention Setting — Small Steps, Big Magic

Morning Intention

• One sentence: “Today I choose… calm/creativity/focus/kindness.”
• Pair it with a quick deep breathing exercise breath or stretch.
• You can also try pulling a tarot or oracle card for some daily guidance

The Daily Big 3

• What are the three most important things to get done today? 

   

Morning magic

• Do the hard thing/ awkward thing/ ick task first and get it out the way! 
• Mornings are also the time where its easier to focus and get things done - so its a good time to do tasks that require thinking and focus.

Daily Journal Prompts

• If I only accomplish one thing, what should it be?
• Where can I add five minutes of joy?
• What did I do well today?
• What could I do today that would bring joy to someone else? 

Make It Fun

• Mini celebrations: give yourself a gold star or trophy sticker when you finish your Daily Big Three 
  

Make It a Habit

• Keep tools within reach: favourite pen, current sticker sheet, water tracker.
• Habit stacking: daily planning right after making your morning drink.
  

Remember - Not every day is the same, some days you will be filled with energy and motivation, and some days you will want to curl up on the sofa. It might be the moon, your cycle, or just time for a rest. Do what you can and remember you are enough, you're doing great. 

How to Stick With It (When Life Gets Busy)

• Lower the bar: a 5-minute plan is still planning.
• Plan visibly: leave your planner open and ready.
• Use “Kind Deadlines”: add buffer days and move tasks without guilt.
• Celebrate consistency, not perfection: 70% planned days beats 0% perfect ones.

Happy Planning! 

Rebecca x