Series: Get Pumped, Get Planned! | New Planner? Start Simple!

Before you dive into that new planner, let’s talk for a minute. Let’s plan the plan. [wink] There are a few things to consider as you get ready to use your new planner. While we might be slightly biased in thinking you have made the best purchase EVER, we are also aware that it can be a little overwhelming. There are so many amazing parts and pieces and we want to see you dive right in knowing this tool can change your life! 

     

Where to begin? First, we want you to allow yourself a nice chunk of time to really settle in. It's like a lunch date with your new best friend. You wouldn’t rush out, now would you? Next, I am about to say something painfully obvious, yet missed by so many. READ THE INTRODUCTION. That’s right! Introduce yourself. It's good manners. Consider it the friendly small talk, the get-to-know-you exercise, the nice-to-meet-you. There is so much good information in the first few pages and we want you to have it. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have all of the information before you dive in. 

Next, take the time to look through the whole thing…every section. Now that you’re done with the small talk, it’s time to dive in a little deeper and discover the true potential of your planner. Jot down ideas on sticky notes as you walk through the pages and come back to those right away. By doing this you can channel your ideas without rushing through and making mistakes. 

There are two trains of thought about what to do next. If this isn’t your first rodeo then you can flip on over to the GOALS section and start hashing out your goals for 2018. If this is your first STARTplanner, then you might want to start small. If you’re a little timid and afraid of messing up your beautiful new planner, then break the ice by writing in a few important dates. For example, write in the birthdays of the people you love. Those don’t change. This step will help you develop your personal style. Birthdays are fun and you may want to reflect that in the way you write them in your planner. Do you want birthdays to have their own color? An all-caps font perhaps? How about a fun sticker like our birthday cakes, which are included with the Social Butterfly Stickers?

    

The important part is, you are taking ownership of your new planner and making it yours. You will look at this lovely little book many times every day and you want it to reflect your personal style, how you work, and what you want to achieve. Congratulations on taking the first step to living a more organized, goal-driven, purposeful life!