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 and motivated person I can be.

First, I use my planning system as an intrinsic and extrinsic personal reward. I get joy out of owning beautiful planners that I can admire for years to come. I enjoy the planning process, sharing that process with my followers and then implementing that process so that I can actually be productive and get things done.

I guess one could say that I’m lucky - I’ve already found the types of planners I love to use, so I don’t generally have the problem of non-planner peace. I was having this conversation with someone over one of my videos actually - people tend to buy planners because they think they’ll love them, and then they try to find uses for all of them and they end up with a “planner stack”; this can sometimes be a stack of three to ten journals and planners. Not only can this be redundant, but it’s very time consuming and probably very difficult to keep track of it all! I could see someone who does this getting burned out very easily.

I have been using a Franklin planner for a number of years now. I have used classic and compact sizes, but prefer classic as it offers just the right amount of space for my needs. I use this mostly as my “at home” planning system, but have been known to travel with it occasionally. I also use it as a type of “catch-all” because I write everything I do in one day on the daily pages.

I also use a travellers notebook system from Planner Perfect. I keep four books on hand at all times, and this is generally the planner I take with me on my everyday errands (i.e. grocery shopping) and I even take it to karaoke!

The last planner I use is just for my business. I tried using one planner for everything one year and it just didn’t work out. I have too many things to keep track of and plan for so they need to be kept separate. Also, I work from home, so it helps me put a barrier between home life and work life. This last year I used Janes Agenda Junior Size (half letter), but for 2026 I think I will be switching to a mini size, and that’s because it’s more of a reference than anything. I still need the room to track stats, and information for my Etsy shop, website, blog and shop/supplies, but I only plan out the month and week. All the daily stuff goes into my Franklin “catch-all”.

I usually start the entire planner prep process when companies begin releasing their new year dated planners. I try to save money where I can - watch out for coupon codes, affiliate codes, and holiday sales like Black Friday and Cyber week. If you want to really save, re-use outdated inserts and re-date everything. I did that for 2025 with my weekly Franklin inserts. (They were from 2024).

Usually, I get my Goal Planner first. It is from Daily Grace Co. - the Cultivate What Matters Powersheets. I have been using this goal planner for a number of years and I find it works well for me. I am also an affiliate. I had thoughts of trying out Makse Life, but I don’t want the weekly planner that is part of it. The Powersheets Goal Planner allows you to check into your goals daily which is perfect for keeping track of how well you’re doing day to day. This planner has a “Prep-Work” section at the beginning that helps you figure out what your goals are. I have videos up on YouTube for past years if you want to see more, but I will also have the same content for the upcoming new year as well.

This Prep work is usually my starting off point. Since I’m a content creator, I break it up into five or six 20-30 minute videos. Even if you don’t create content, it’s easier to take breaks when completing it - it can be a rather daunting task, and trust me - your hand gets tired after awhile!

Once I’ve completed my Prep work, I usually have an idea of what my yearly goals (or sometimes quarterly goals) will be. I’ll know what I need for my planning needs for the upcoming year and what kind of inserts I want.

I enjoy using the Franklin planner since the classic size uses half letter. (Literally, you fold a sheet of printer paper and that’s the size). It’s also a ring-bound system - if I ever have to print off material, it’s easy to simply keep it in my binder. Documents that are full page, I fold in half and keep it in a pocket so the info is always on hand.

There are numerous inserts you can buy for the Franklin Planner, but I keep mine fairly simple. I don’t use a lot of the inserts, other than a monthly calendar, a weekly section so I can see each of my weeks within a month at a glance, and the day-on-two page dailies. I plan weekly, so at the beginning of the month, everything goes on the monthly. I only keep one month at a time in my planner, so I also always have a future log where I can enter future appointment dates as I get them.

I used to love buying really colourful inserts (i.e. The Flora, Blooms, or Her Point Of View). Lately, I have been shifting to a more neutral palette, and the Carrara are quite plain. They are great if you prefer to decorate your own planner.

The tabs in my catch-all have been simplified over the years. Currently, I keep sections entitled Goals (Brain Dump, Overview), Schedule (Future Log, Monthly, Weekly, Daily), Home, Reference, Personal and Projects/Notes. Ideally, I would love to have every separate section labeled and tabbed, but lately I have been preferring simplicity. Too many tabs and dividers take up valuable real estate in my planner.

My travellers notebook does have a bit of overlap and redundancy. That can be found in the goals and calendar, but I like being able to see that information if I’m out and about or on the go. Other than that, the majority of my TN is scripting (planning with intention and manifesting how you want your day to go). It includes my morning pages and a notebook for grocery lists and songs I want to sing at karaoke. My TN makes for great conversation starter when I’m out because everyone wants to know what it is. It might sound weird but planning here where I live is not as big as the US. No one really understands why I do what I do (except for my followers of course!) and then I have to wonder how people where I live are successful at all if they don’t plan!

Instead of buying planners and then trying to figure out what you’re going to use them all for, determine your basic needs/wants first, and look for a planner that encompasses that. You may not find the “perfect” planner , but try to stick to only one or two planners. This will help you to save money, but is also less confusing and saves you time, especially if you are a newbie at planning. Don’t buy all the things at once. Over time, you’ll start to establish a collection of supplies and it’s better to want or need something you don’t have rather than have a surplus of stuff you don’t need or want. Even if you sell it, you don’t make your money back, and it’s quite wasteful.

When you do find the planner that fits you, have fun setting it up. If you do it right, it can really make a difference in your productivity and success!

Thanks for reading!

Sandra