My Monthly Planning Ritual: 1st of Series of 3 posts
When I was in school, I loved the start of a new semester. There was something magical about a blank notebook—the promise and opportunity it held. More importantly, it felt like a blank slate, a chance to start over, set new goals, and chase them with fresh determination.
For many years, I missed that feeling—that sense of possibility and renewal. But I’ve found a way to recapture it: my monthly planning ritual.
This ritual is a cornerstone of my life, offering me the same spark of hope and excitement that a blank notebook once did. It’s both practical and symbolic. It starts with my favorite planning tool—a spiral-bound notebook, perfect for spreading across an entire page. I splurge on the good ones from Amazon, and when a new batch arrives in my mailbox, I feel a little burst of joy. To me, each notebook represents the promise of fresh ideas, new goals, and creative opportunities. It’s a small but powerful reminder of the joy that comes from hope.
My Monthly Planning Ritual
Whenever possible, I like to do my planning from my favorite table at Starbucks. There’s something about the hum of activity and the absence of household distractions that helps me focus. Of course, life sometimes pulls me elsewhere—visiting my mom in Florida or stuck at home with laundry and dishes calling my name—but I always aim for that Starbucks table. It’s sacred ground for my monthly (and weekly) planning, reserved for this purpose alone.
Here’s how I structure my monthly planning:
1. Reflect on the Past Month
I begin by pulling out my wellness wheel (grab a copy here) and checking in on how the previous month went across six key pillars of wellness. This snapshot helps me see what’s working and where I might need a little more attention.
Next, I reread my notes from the prior month. I spend a few minutes reflecting on more than just tasks accomplished—I ask myself:
How did I feel throughout the month?
Was I living in alignment with my priorities and my dream life?
What adjustments can I make?
This quick review often reveals ideas I want to hold onto or thoughts I’d like to revisit. It’s a short but meaningful step.
2. Evaluate Last Month’s Goals
Then, I turn to the goals I set at the start of the month. I ask myself:
What did I accomplish?
What fell short, and why?
Sometimes, tasks don’t get done because I overestimated my capacity or didn’t prioritize properly. Other times, it’s because they weren’t truly important. I recently read a book called Only 10s that reinforced this idea: focus on the things that are truly meaningful, not the "9s" that seem interesting but aren’t essential.
Rather than beating myself up over unfinished goals, I view them as data—insights into what I really value. If a goal still feels important, it gets carried forward and placed at the top of my list for the new month.
3. Set Goals for the New Month
This is the fun part. I turn to a fresh page in my notebook, write the month in big block letters, and outline my top five priorities. These typically include a mix of work-related and personal goals because, as we all know, life isn’t neatly divided into categories—our personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined.
For example, here are my goals for November:
Complete my 10-touch points each week (more on this in another post)
Be fully present to serve every client
Add two new clients to my coaching practice
Plan my mom’s 90th birthday celebration
Host a girls’ night with friends
I also set goals around fitness and wellness. Right now, I’m rebuilding my deadlift and back squat after a back injury, so those are my priorities this month. At other times, my goals might include ocean swims, pickleball lessons, or mastering a new skill.
Why It Works
This entire ritual takes me no more than 20 minutes, but it’s a time of invaluable reflection and intention-setting. By letting go of self-recrimination over unmet goals, I’ve turned this process into something I genuinely enjoy. Every month feels like a fresh start—a chance to refocus, realign, and renew my sense of purpose.
For me, monthly planning is more than just organizing tasks; it’s an opportunity to nurture hope, creativity, and joy. It’s my way of chasing that blank-slate feeling I’ve loved since childhood—and carrying it with me into adulthood.