Planning

Weekly Planning Routine in my Franklin Planner
Let’s talk about how I plan for the week. To keep things simple, I will just be referring to how I currently plan in my Franklin Planner. I also have separate routines for my business planner as well as my Planner Perfect Travellers Notebook. So again, as with my monthly planner reset, I probably do more in my routine since I also plan for content creation (and I’m filming what I plan, and vice versa). As an everyday lay person, planning out your life, you won’t follow all the steps... Read more...
Planning: My Monthly Reset Process in My Franklin Planner
Hello! I have received many questions as to what I do each month within my planner system to set up for a new month. I’m here to explain and outline the process I use! For me, it’s a little different since I film my content on YouTube and Instagram; I personally film my video setup on the last Tuesday or Wednesday of each month. Not only does this allow me to set up a bit earlier (especially if I’m getting bored of the current month’s theme), but also because I... Read more...
When Your Planner Gives You the Ick
Hi everyone! So maybe you’re going to get a kick out of this post - but don’t worry! I’m not talking about my Franklin Covey or my wide Planner Perfect TN setup. I’m referring to my business planner that I set up for this year, 2026. It’s been a few weeks now, and for some reason, every time I glance or use my business planner, I get kind of ill. I have no actual reason why this is - I’m just not loving it at all right now and I’ve... Read more...
Spring Clean: Planner Edition
Although I tidy up my planner many times throughout the year, when we finally get to spring time I start thinking about all the areas of my life that need tidying. These things include cleaning and tidying tasks, as well as large areas to declutter such as my garage and basement. My jeep gets cleaned, and this time, I thought what a great time to also do a spring refresh on my planner. A great practice to get into is maintaining your planner on a monthly or quarterly basis. Add... Read more...
Danger Zone: Other Planner Channels
While I write my morning pages every day at 6am, I sometimes enjoy watching other planner channels as background noise. Generally, I enjoy watching planner channels that detail the planner that I’m using. Generally, I’ll watch other people who use Planner Perfect or Franklin planner. Sometimes, however, those channels will feature other planners, and then I get curious and this is what makes me get into trouble. We see these other people on YouTube or Facebook having success with other planners that we haven’t tried yet, and I think it’s... Read more...
Inbox Zero: Planner Edition
Have you ever heard of the term Inbox Zero? It is a process using the four D’s (Delete, Delegate, Defer or Do). The goal is not to have zero e-mails, as one might suspect (and I’m sure people use it this way), but actually, to spend zero time thinking about emails. Your e-mail inbox is not supposed to be a permanent storage unit, but rather, a temporary processing centre. I was thinking the other day that really, this is the same way we should be using our planners. I realize... Read more...
Scripting and To-Do Lists: How I Make Them Work Together
The other day, I had a comment on my Youtube channel asking how I incorporated scripting into my routine when I also use a Franklin Planner. I have written plenty about my Franklin Planner system, and how much I love it. For the most part, my Franklin system involves to-do lists that are prioritized according to how important I deem something to be. In this fashion, my work gets done every day, with the most important tasks ideally done first. There are a lot of different factors that come into... Read more...
Social Media & Business Planner Setup for 2026
Hello and welcome back! So I have talked about changes that I was planning on making to my business planner for the year 2026. In previous years, I was using a mix of Franklin planner and Janes Agenda. For 2025 I used a Janes Agenda Junior Disc Planner. While it worked, I found it to be super bulky, and hard to always tote around with me when I needed to work. Then I had a great idea. I have a collection of Melodies from Planners Anonymous. These are convertible planner... Read more...
Planner & Stationery Chat
Hello! I wanted to talk about some planner changes I have implemented for the new year as well as my thoughts on un-used subscription items we may have on hand. So first, with my Franklin planner, I have some new goal inserts (still from Janes Agenda, but I feel like they are a bit more streamlined). I think they’ll be really useful for the new year. However, they might take a bit of time to get used to the new format. They do however have a quarterly review section which... Read more...
My Planning Prep Process for a New Year
Hello! It’s getting to be close to that time of year when we need to think about our planning system for the new year. I am currently thinking about my planner systems for 2026. I was working on a requested YouTube video about the systems I use for my planning. One thing I can say is I use multiple systems to keep myself organized and everything streamlined. The other thing is I use them together to (generally) create a streamlined routine that allows me to be the most efficient, organized... Read more...
Longing for a Change in Planner Routine
Today, I want to talk about a feeling I’ve been having since I finished the book, The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron. While I found that the majority of the content did not resonate with me (I don’t consider myself a blocked artist), it did get me to thinking. First, I realize that I don’t spend enough time on creative, fun things - I don’t mean creative content in my business, because that’s really all I do - I am an online creative entrepreneur (“content creator”). I don’t do anything... Read more...
Why Reflection in Your Planning Process is Important
I have touched on many aspects of planning over the last few years. One thing I have been working on this past year is my own reflection in my planning process. I spent a lot of time in the Janes Agenda Masterclass Program reflecting not only on the course itself and what I learned each week, but on my planner system. Sometimes I would break each area down - I would reflect on the processes I use, the steps I use and how I capture content. There were many small... Read more...
Using My Planner To It’s Full Capability
If you are a planner user like me, you might be congratulating yourself on using it to maximize your time and productivity. Congratulations are in order, especially if it helps to make you feel more organized and prepared. But, have you ever stopped to wonder if there are more or even better ways to use your planner? This is the question I asked myself the other day while I was reading the book, “The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management” by Hyrum Smith, one of the original... Read more...
How I Pick My Monthly Planner Themes
If you follow me on YouTube, or have watched one of my monthly planning videos, you know that I like to switch my planner every month. I get bored really quickly, and I love change. I also love bright colours, and I love to coordinate my binder with the theme I’m using for the month. Now while I use Franklin Covey classic size all the time, I have a good selection of binders I can use to change things up - enough to prevent me from growing bored. They always... Read more...
Franklin Covey Compact: Fifth and Final Week
Hello and welcome back to the final week in this planner series! We’re wrapping up the month and ushering in new spring vibes with April. Although I will not be posting any new videos of my compact this week (other than my March flip on IG reels), I will still be planning in my compact for the remainder of the week. I will be setting up my classic binder for April which will include my monthly and first week setups that span over two videos. I also change my travellers... Read more...
Franklin Covey Compact: Week Four
Day 1: Monday, March 17, 2025 Happy Saint Patrick’s Day friends! We’re finally in the home stretch! Even though we still have week five to go (I’ll be planning for it on Thursday), I switch out my monthly setup on Wednesday next week. So, it really doesn’t seem that long, and I’ll be in my new setup - back to classic for me! I was really trying to get into loving compact - I really was. I think the size is absolutely adorable, and that got me through the first... Read more...
Franklin Covey Compact: Week Three
Day 1: Monday, March 10, 2025 Good morning! It’s Monday morning and I’m off to a pretty good start. I woke up early today and started my morning routine straight away. It helps that I plan the night before. I believe that’s one of my tips for a really productive day is to ensure I know what I need to do the day before I have to do it. Today’s list didn’t fall off the page, but I ran out of energy during the afternoon. Coffee wasn't even enough to... Read more...
Franklin Covey Compact: Week Two
Hello and welcome back! This is week two of my journey into using a Franklin Compact Planner the entire month of March 2025. While I have run into a few small snags here and there, I would have to say that the first week was a success. While I’m not sold into moving into a compact right now, it is so cute to look at, and it’s a bit more portable for travelling. I find a still have a lot of writing and planning to do on a daily basis,... Read more...
Franklin Covey Compact: Week One - The Beginning
Hello! Today, I am starting off on a journey - an experiment if you will. I belong to many Franklin Covey Facebook groups and the question always comes down to, classic or compact? Now, this is not my first time in a compact binder. Like many other people, I used to use a compact as my “on-the-go” planner to track stuff while I was running errands. This month, I’ve challenged myself to step outside my comfort zone for an entire month and use a compact planner to its full ability.... Read more...
Subscription Boxes & Frugality
Although January 1st has come and gone, some of us may be examining our goals for the new year. I don’t like to refer to goals for the year as New Years Resolutions,, because these tend not to last. Unless you make a new habit or routine and stick with it for months, you quickly fall back into old patterns. I’m currently taking a look at my subscriptions - planning boxes, streaming services, games and all the in-betweens. I’m trying to determine if the amount I pay for any of... Read more...
Changes That I’m Making To My Planner Systems for 2025
Hello and welcome! Congrats on getting through another year! Today, we’re going to talk about some of the changes I want to implement in my planner systems. As you may know, my online business starts with my planners. I created a YouTube channel all about how I plan and what makes me effective - as an entrepreneur, as a stay at home mom and a human in general. I use the Cultivate What Matters Goal Planning system (which has changed my life by the way). From doing my prep work... Read more...
My Experience With Cocoa Daisy and Planner Perfect
At the time of writing, I’ve been using Planner Perfect and Cocoa Daisy for awhile now. I have received three sub boxes from Cocoa Daisy and one from Planner Perfect. Both of these companies are dangerous however, because once you get sucked in, it seems you’re all in. I’ve been subscribing to sub boxes for a few years now, and generally, companies give you a few options when it comes to the products in your subscription. For example, Janes Agenda has three options - one with just dashboards, ones with... Read more...
My Favourite Franklin Binders
Today, I want to talk about my favourite Franklin binders. As you well know after all this time, my current (and must I say favourite) main planning system is my Franklin covey planner. I use the Franklin Covey classic sized binder, along with the inserts you can buy online. (I sometime used products that aren’t officially Franklin Planner, but generally, I stick with Day on Two Page planners).       I change out my binders and planner deco on a monthly basis so I don’t get bored. (I find that this... Read more...
Planner Girl Problems
So here I was, thinking about my planners and what I wanted to do for 2025 and I thought, why not share it with you? There are probably many people out there experiencing the same issues as me, so I think this planner chat might help you too! Issue #1: One of my favourite planner companies is no longer offering the size I prefer. It’s Janes Agenda - if you have been following me, I use the Franklin Covey Classic size of planner which uses half letter sized inserts. To... Read more...
How I’m Successful With My Franklin Planner
Welcome fellow planners (or potential fellow planners)! I talk a lot about planning, because I consider it one of my specialties. I feel very lucky and privileged because it’s one of those things that I love, AND it helps me in every single area of my life. My planner is my peace of mind, and I’m so thankful that I found Franklin Planner! I’ve been reading the book Getting Things Done, by David Allen and I had a few thoughts. A lot of what the author talks about, I have... Read more...
Maintaining a Consistent Planner System
So I was thinking today as I watched (yet another) Janes Agenda Masterclass video, that Jane gives me the greatest inspiration for blog writing! No, really…She talks all about planners, and I love listening to what other people like, dislike and think about planners in general. Currently, we are learning about check lists and systems and something that I heard today made me think about whether or not I’ve already written on this topic. (LOL). I went back and checked, and sure enough, I had a blog on changing your... Read more...
Having a Master Task List Can Help You Smash Your Goals
Do you have a master task list? I have several, and before I tell you how it will help you with your goals, I want to detail what kind of master task lists you can use and their purposes. Monthly Master Task List: This is a list of all the tasks you think you (may) need to get done in the current month. I always set this up when I set up my monthly calendar and and monthly goals in my Franklin Classic Planner. I always transfer unchecked tasks from... Read more...
2024 Planner Lineup
Hello and welcome back! I thought it was time to give you a look at my updated planner lineup. I like to change up what I’m doing from year to year and 2024 is no exception - I do have a few new planners and notebooks this year, so keep reading to find out what I’ve changed up this year! Cultivate What Matters 2024 Powersheets Cultivate What Matters 2024 Powersheets Tending List The first planner that I would like to talk about is my goal planner by Cultivate What Matters.... Read more...
How I Use My Monthly, Weekly and Daily Inserts Together
Hello! You may be tuning in today because you love planning just as much as I do! You might be looking for inspiration on how to use monthly, weekly or daily spreads together - either you do already and find it’s not really working for you, or you want to start. Either way, I’m here to explain how and why I use mine the way I do, and how I’ve turned it into a successful system that works for me and makes me more productive. So first, let’s talk about... Read more...
Creating a Junior Half Letter Business Planner
So you all know by now that I’m usually back and forth when it comes to certain planner things. One of them has been where to keep my business planning needs. I used to keep everything in my Franklin planner until I realized there just wasn't enough room. So then I would keep a separate Franklin binder for it and it was just so much. It was bulky and heavy to lug around two planner binders all the time. Once I became an affiliate with Janes Agenda, I realized that... Read more...
How To Get The Most Out Of Your Planner
I started on my planning journey a very long time ago - probably Grade 4 when I got my very first agenda in school. Back then, and until I discovered a love of stickering my planner, I always used it as a tool. While it’s fine if that’s you too, I didn’t really discover the magic of planning until I started planning as a hobby too. (That may sound backward, and maybe sounds like a waste of time). However, this is when I discovered all the tools and fun things... Read more...
Planning For Mental Health
Today, mental health is spoken and thought about far more than it was in the past. We have finally accepted in today’s world that it’s ok to “feel the feels” and not put on a show. I think especially in our post pandemic world, mental health awareness is more important than ever. I for one have experienced more anxiety since the Pandemic than I ever have before. For example, since I didn't drive far from home, I found that I was scared to get back in my vehicle and get... Read more...
Prioritizing & Designating Tasks So You Actually Get Stuff Done
So you’ve made a brain dump or a master task list and all of the stuff in your head is now on paper. Good for you! You’ve taken the first step to productivity and #plannergoals! Next, it’s time to designate all those tasks to particular dates (if they’re time sensitive), or to try and schedule them into the upcoming weeks. This is where things sometimes start to spin out of control. Some people (including myself at times) can be awesome at writing everything down. When it actually comes time to... Read more...
Functional Planning Mainstays
Good morning and welcome back to another blog! I love talking about planners, and today, we’re going to get down to basics. So in my opinion, there’s decorative planning and there’s functional planning, but it’s not black and white for me. There are many people who call themselves functional planners, but they still like a little deco in their planner to make it pretty. Today, I want to talk to you about what I consider functional planning, and the must-haves I need to maintain functionality of my planner. Planner Cover:... Read more...
Current Planner Lineup
Well here I am, writing about my favourite thing in the world (again)…of course for besides my husband, kids, etc. If you’re reading this, you just get it! Before we start digging into the goodness that are my planners, I just want to warn you that my actual planner covers (and sometimes contents) change monthly. By the time this blog is live, I might well be in a new cover for each binder, but my overall planning system will remain the same, at least for this year. If you know... Read more...
Using Multiple Planners in Different Sizes
There are many different planners on the market today - the big companies, as well as hundreds of smaller companies that have become more recent. It can be hard choosing a company, let alone trying to figure out what size of planner you need. There are people who pick one company (I’m talking about you, Franklin Covey die-hards!) and stick with that one brand. Then there are others who like to hop around (like me!) and try new and different products. I feel like I have tried many different planners... Read more...
Nothing To Plan? Here Are Some Ideas!
When people talk about their planner, or carry it around with them all the time, you might wonder what’s so important that they need to have a planner at all? Well, yes, some people live busier lives than others, or they might have appointment heavy schedules that they need to keep track of. In my opinion, planning is a way of life. It’s a way of keeping the information in your head organized (by writing it down) so that you can focus on important tasks in the moment. If you... Read more...
How To Maintain Organization of Your Planner
Hello! Whether you’re a seasoned planner or not, there are certain things you can do to help make your planner stay organized and neat. Now, I do believe that having a messy planner is better than not having used it, or not having a planner at all, but read on for some tips to help with organization! 1. Use it! Maybe you think that the more you use your planner, the messier it will look. Maybe you don’t like you’re writing? First, it doesn't matter, because it’s your planner -... Read more...
Subscription Boxes: The Good and the Bad
Well, we can’t plan without talking about all the planning goodies that are available in the planner community, can we? One of the biggest “controversial” topics in the planning community are subscription boxes. If you are a creator, do you sell subscription boxes or not? If you are a planner and love to try out new things, which company do you choose? There are many options available, some with smaller shops and some larger, more established companies as well. How you choose is all about how you plan, what you... Read more...
How To Make Your Planner Look Pretty
Most people think of planning, and they think functionality. That’s the whole point of having a planner, right? To get yourself organized, and productive and to make sure you show up on time. Well, I’ve seen A LOT of videos online (mostly on Youtube) where people show off their planners (including me!), and they’re gorgeous, beautiful and still include all the organization and functionality. So how do you do this you might ask? Keep reading to find out! Ok, so you’ve picked your planner, filled it with inserts and are... Read more...
Do You Keep Your Work and Personal Planners Separate?
This is a question I have been asking myself for about two years as my business has grown. What’s better - keeping everything together, or do you separate your business and personal planners? Now, if you’re asking whether or not to keep your business and personal life separate, the answer is usually yes. It’s not the best thing to bring work home with you in the evening. Sometimes it’s inevitable, but in most cases, work stays at work and home stays at home. (i.e. You don’t bring your personal problems... Read more...
Top Planning Supplies I Can’t Live Without Apr 10
Hi there and welcome back to this week’s blog! I feel like I haven’t talked about planning tools or supplies (tools of the trade, so to speak), and these supplies are absolutely necessary in my everyday tool kit! Just like a carpenter can’t get to work without his tool box, I feel the same way about planning: if I don’t have these items, I’m lost! The first and foremost most important thing is my planner. I’ve always had a planner, agenda, notebook or some sort of book to record appointments... Read more...
Top 6 Planning Tips for Seasoned Planners
Hi planner friends! There is a big difference between someone who has never planned, to someone who has just started. For those of us who have been planning for years, it can be hard to put yourself in newbie planner shoes. In a previous blog, Basic Planner Tips: Planning 101 (read here: https://sandradahl.ca/planning/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-url/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-3), I spoke to those who were just entering the realm of planning. That blog consisted of basic tips that are helpful before you start. Well, if you have been planning your entire life, I bet there are... Read more...
My Franklin Covey Planner
I would like to share my current planning system. I do share monthly and weekly planning videos on my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJuWbC7-oQ_qAl205tIrGzA, so if you want to check those out, I have a huge playlist. So my very first experience (if you can call it that) with Franklin Planner was reading a series of books in 2011 by Karen Marie Morning. In it, the protagonist’s sister, Alaina was a Franklin Planner user. The way Karen Marie Moving described all the planner goodness, I got all giddy and excited to... Read more...
The Benefits of a Ring-Bound or Disc-Bound Planning System
Let’s talk more about planners, because, I mean, who doesn’t like to talk about planners? I am a firm believer that everyone should have a planner. Of course, you have the freedom to do what you like, but if you want me to try and convince you, read this blog: https://sandradahl.ca/planning/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-url/https/sandradahlca/blog-page-1. I have tried many, many different planners throughout my lifetime. I LOVE any type of planner, some a bit more than others. I currently am using a Franklin Ring-Bound system (7 rings in the classic sized binder) for my... Read more...
Basic Planner Tips Planning 101
Hello friends and welcome to the blog! Today, I want to discuss planner tips for people who are not used to planning, who have never planned in a planner before, or, are just getting back into it after a break. My name is Sandra and I am a seasoned planner. I have had a “planner” ever since Grade 4. Yes, in those days, it was the school agendas that were given to us, but I have always had some form of planning in my life. I got serious about planning... Read more...
Why I Switched From a Bullet Journal to a Franklin Covey Planner For 2022
Hello friends and welcome back! Today I want to discuss the reasons why I switched from planning in a bullet journal to using a Franklin Covey Planner System. There are many benefits (and maybe cons) to using both of these systems. I will list these below for you so that maybe it will help you in making your own decision as to which system you might want to use too. When I say “system”, I mean that the bullet journal is one of a kind in that you literally create... Read more...
This Is Why You Should Have a Planner
Hey guys! I want to tell you why having a planner is a good idea. This is to all those people who say they are too busy to “plan”, or who say they have an excellent memory so they don’t need to write things down in a planner. For all of my planner friends who already have a planner, well, you already know the benefits. There are SOO many different planners on the market. All the choices make it difficult to figure out which planner is right for you, which... Read more...
Planner Peace & Changing Your Planner System
Hey friends! Today, I’m going to tackle the ever elusive “Planner Peace” idea. I’ve watched a video on YouTube recently, where there was a woman talking about all the planners she used one year (there were A LOT!) and none of them made her happy. She would use one for a few weeks, and then switch back to another one, or even buy a new system. I could see how this would amount to a huge stress headache. You are not getting your stuff done, and not staying organized because... Read more...
Frankenplanning & Using Life Categories
Hello! Welcome back to my Blog! This week I want to speak on the topic of Frankenplanning. I’m pretty certain that this term was made up by the planning community as a play on Planning and Frankenstein. (aka: Taking parts of something to make it whole). You might ask, how does it work? Well, it works best with planners that have a transient system, meaning you can easily take paper in and out. The best example I know of is the Happy Planner which uses a disc bound system. I... Read more...