My Monthly Planning Routine (Step-by-Step)

# My Monthly Planning Routine (Step-by-Step) After years of trial and error, I've developed a monthly planning routine that keeps me organized, productive, and stress-free. Here's my exact 90-minute process. ## Why Monthly Planning Matters Monthly planning sits in the sweet spot between daily planning (too granular) and yearly planning (too broad). It allows you to: - See the big picture while staying focused - Anticipate challenges before they become crises - Balance work, personal life, and self-care - Track progress toward annual goals - Adjust plans based on what's working ## My Planning Schedule I plan on the **last Sunday of each month**, dedicating 60-90 minutes. This timing lets me review the current month while it's fresh and start the new month with clarity. ## The Complete Process ### Part 1: Review Last Month (20 min) **Step 1: Celebrate Wins (5 min)** Write down: - 3 things that went well - 2 goals you achieved - 1 unexpected positive surprise **Step 2: Analyze Challenges (5 min)** - What goals did you miss? - What obstacles came up? - What patterns do you notice? **Step 3: Review Key Metrics (5 min)** - Work: Projects completed, hours worked - Health: Workouts, sleep average - Finance: Income, expenses, savings - Personal: Books read, quality time **Step 4: Extract Lessons (5 min)** - What should you do more of? - What should you do less of? - What should you do differently? ### Part 2: Plan Next Month (30 min) **Step 5: Check Your Calendar (5 min)** Add all fixed commitments: - Work deadlines and meetings - Appointments - Social events - Travel and holidays **Step 6: Set Monthly Goals (10 min)** Choose 3-5 goals across different areas: - Work/Career - Health/Fitness - Personal/Relationships - Finance Make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) **Step 7: Break Down into Weekly Themes (10 min)** - Week 1: Project launch + meal prep - Week 2: Client meetings + fitness - Week 3: Deep work + social connections - Week 4: Review & planning + self-care **Step 8: Identify Obstacles (5 min)** What might get in the way? Plan ahead for challenges. ### Part 3: Set Up Systems (20 min) **Step 9: Create Tracking System (10 min)** Set up trackers for: - Daily habits - Weekly goals - Monthly metrics **Step 10: Schedule Important Tasks (5 min)** Block time for: - Weekly reviews - Exercise - Deep work - Family time **Step 11: Prepare Environment (5 min)** - Meal prep containers ready? - Workout clothes laid out? - Workspace organized? ### Part 4: Visualize & Commit (10 min) **Step 12: Create Vision Board (5 min)** Add visual representations of your goals **Step 13: Write Monthly Intention (3 min)** Sum up the month in one sentence **Step 14: Share Your Goals (2 min)** Tell someone for accountability ## My Monthly Planning Template **Month**: _______________ **Last Month Review** ✅ Wins: 1. ___ 2. ___ 3. ___ ❌ Challenges: ___ 📊 Metrics: ___ 💡 Lessons: ___ **This Month's Plan** 🎯 Goals: ___ 📅 Weekly Themes: ___ ⚠️ Obstacles: ___ 🎨 Intention: ___ ## Tips for Success 1. **Be Realistic** - Plan for 60-70% of your time 2. **Review Weekly** - Check progress every Sunday 3. **Use 80/20 Rule** - Focus on high-impact activities 4. **Build in Flexibility** - Life happens, adjust as needed 5. **Make It Enjoyable** - Use colorful pens, play music ## Common Mistakes - Planning too much (limit to 3-5 goals) - Not reviewing (check in weekly) - Being too rigid (adjust mid-month if needed) - Forgetting self-care (schedule downtime) - No accountability (share with someone) Download our free Monthly Planning Template to get started with this powerful routine!