# Top 10 Planner Setup Tips | Do These Things When Setting Up for 2025 ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/SCXYnxvg96o/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Recurring Task List - To set up a productive planner system, start by creating a reoccurring task list that captures all the regular tasks that need to be done, such as taking vitamins, walking the dog, and changing HVAC filters, to free up mental space [(00:01:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=63s). - This list should be broken down into time frames, including yearly, quarterly, monthly, weekly, and daily tasks, and should be easily accessible in the planner [(00:01:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=101s). - The reoccurring task list can be customized to fit individual needs and can be placed in any type of planner, such as an Erin Condren or a ring planner [(00:02:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=167s). - To create a personalized list, go through the current planning system, whether digital or physical, and identify the regular tasks that need to be done [(00:04:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=241s). - Examples of reoccurring tasks include taxes, hair appointments, dog visits, and laundry, but the specific tasks will vary from person to person [(00:03:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=191s). - Having a reoccurring task list helps to reduce mental clutter and ensures that important tasks are not forgotten [(00:02:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=141s). - The list can be organized in different ways, such as by time frame or by category, and should be reviewed and updated regularly [(00:03:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=212s). - Using a reoccurring task list is a key tip for setting up a productive planner system and can help to achieve goals and reduce stress [(00:00:36)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=36s). - The reoccurring task list should be meaningful and relevant to the individual, and should be used in conjunction with other planning tools and systems [(00:02:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=178s). - By implementing a reoccurring task list, individuals can free up mental space and focus on more important tasks and goals [(00:02:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=148s). - The reoccurring task list is a valuable tool for increasing productivity and reducing stress, and should be a key component of any planner system [(00:00:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=58s). - When setting up a planner, it's essential to identify and populate reoccurring task lists, which can save time and reduce headaches by ensuring required adulting activities are not forgotten [(00:04:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=272s). ## Future Log - Having a place to capture future events is crucial for being prepared and organized, and this can be achieved using a printed planner, bullet journal, or digital tools like [[Google Calendar]] [(00:05:34)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=334s). - Sharing a future log with family members or team members can facilitate collaboration and make it easier to plan and schedule events [(00:06:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=376s). ## Goals - Having a place for goals in a planner system is vital for providing prioritization and direction, and can be as simple or elaborate as desired [(00:07:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=437s). - Goal planning can be done in both personal and professional life, and can help in making decisions about what to do and not do [(00:08:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=483s). - A goal spread can be a useful tool for setting goals, and can be tailored to individual needs and preferences [(00:08:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=491s). - To prioritize time and energy throughout the year, it's essential to incorporate goals into your planner system, which can help with decision-making during busy periods or when more rest is needed [(00:08:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=500s). - Various goal-setting systems can be used, such as a dedicated goal planner like the Cultivate What Matters goal planner or Moxy Life, or incorporating goals into your planner on an annual, quarterly, and monthly basis [(00:08:51)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=531s). - A do-it-yourself goal planner can also be created using free resources and principles, allowing for customization and reflection on goals, word of the year, and end-of-year reflection [(00:09:09)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=549s). - It's crucial to give thought to how overarching intentions and goals will be incorporated into the planner system to make prioritization decisions about time [(00:09:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=595s). ## Task Prompt List - Incorporating a task prompt list, also known as a trigger list or brain dump list, can help remember tasks and pair well with a brain dump exercise [(00:10:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=612s). - Task prompt lists can be found in various formats, including printable ones, and can be customized by creating a personal list based on past planner entries and categories [(00:10:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=637s). - Examples of task prompts include projects, activities, children, bills, bank loans, books, classes, travel, vacation, automobiles, and cleaning, which serve as reminders to check if there's something that needs to be done in each area [(00:10:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=659s). - Creating a personal task prompt list can be done by listing categories and prompts in a notes page, such as a brain dump triggers page, and using headers to organize the information [(00:11:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=682s). ## Review Old Planners - Reviewing old planners provides valuable information on what worked and what didn't, allowing for the incorporation of successful strategies into the new planner [(00:12:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=778s). - Inventorying old planners involves looking at what was liked and disliked, what worked and didn't work, and what was aesthetically pleasing, to recreate successful elements in the new planner [(00:13:04)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=784s). - Going through old planners can help identify cycles and seasons of productivity and provide insights into what works at different times, allowing for the implementation of successful strategies in the new planner [(00:13:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=830s). - Spending time reviewing old planners, whether digital or physical, helps capture lessons learned and implement what works in the new year [(00:14:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=850s). ## Setting Up a New Planner - General - Setting up a new planner involves thinking about what information goes where to avoid duplicating information and reduce frustration, unless rewriting information is a helpful tool for memory and productivity [(00:14:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=878s). - Mapping out what information to capture and where it goes in the planning system can be done using sticky notes or a list, to avoid duplicating information and increase productivity [(00:15:59)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=959s). - Creating a list of categories of life, such as fitness, monthly, quarterly, weekly, and daily, can help identify what information is needed in the planning system and where it should be placed [(00:16:07)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=967s). - When setting up a new planner, start by making a list of the things that need to be included in the planner, such as monthly needs, annual planner spreads, calendars, trackers, and notes, to ensure that everything necessary is covered [(00:16:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=992s). - Take the new planner and use sticky notes to map out what needs to be included on each page, then step back and review the layout to ensure there is no duplication and that the information is organized efficiently [(00:17:16)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1036s). - Before setting up a new planner, take time to reflect on why it is needed and what it should be used for, by asking questions such as what needs to be included, how it will be used, and what supplies are required [(00:17:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1072s). - Identifying the purpose and requirements of the planner beforehand can help determine if a different tool is needed and prevent unnecessary purchases [(00:18:48)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1128s). ## Setting Up a New Planner - Supplies - Gather all necessary supplies before setting up the planner, which may include a notebook, pens, and other materials, and consider the quality of the supplies, such as a good pen [(00:19:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1184s). - Having a designated basket or box to collect supplies can help keep everything organized and within reach [(00:20:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1201s). - A box is used to collect supplies for the upcoming planner setup, usually started at the end of the third quarter or beginning of the fourth quarter of the year, and items are added as they are found, purchased, or made [(00:20:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1212s). - The box contains a variety of items, including monthly tabs from Coffee Monster Co, a roll of [[Washi]] tape from Simply Gilded, and small plastic planner tabs from Madori [(00:20:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1247s). - Some items in the box are printed on sticker paper, such as a design featuring purple water, and others are from favorite shops like Virgo and Paper [(00:21:13)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1273s). - The box also contains items specifically for the upcoming year, such as stickers and a weekly book from Hobonichi, as well as old stickers and other supplies [(00:21:37)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1297s). - Not all items in the box will be used, but it provides a dedicated place to gather ephemera, photos, and other items that might be used in the new planner setup [(00:22:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1337s). - A list is also kept of items to make for the planner setup, such as a year-at-a-glance page and a list of holidays, which may be shared with a planning community [(00:22:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1369s). ## Setting Up a New Planner - Lists - Tip number nine for setting up a new planner is to use lists, such as a master grocery list, to reduce time spent thinking about repetitive tasks and make the planning system more efficient [(00:23:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1411s). - A master grocery list can be used to keep track of standard pantry ingredients and reduce time spent thinking about what to buy when grocery shopping [(00:23:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1426s). - Create lists for various tasks and activities to help move more efficiently and effectively through regular tasks, such as a weekly review list, monthly review questions, and a Sunday reset checklist, to keep coming back to the planner regularly and free up mental space [(00:24:19)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1459s). - Having lists in the planner helps to keep track of things that need to be done and reduces mental clutter, allowing for focus on more important items [(00:25:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1501s). ## Finding Inspiration but Staying True to Yourself - Find inspiration for planner setup from various sources like [[Instagram]], [[YouTube]], [[TikTok]], and [[Pinterest]], but be cautious not to get over-influenced and instead tailor ideas to fit individual needs [(00:25:38)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1538s). - Take inspiration from people who use different types of planners to get new ideas without being over-influenced in the current planner system [(00:26:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1601s). - Set up a planner that reflects individual needs, rather than trying to replicate someone else's system, to ensure it works effectively [(00:26:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1562s). - Use a planner setup that works well for the individual, rather than trying to make it work for someone else, to achieve the best results [(00:26:17)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCXYnxvg96o&t=1577s).