Planning for the New Year

4 minute read

The festive season is currently in full swing and many of us will be rushing from one commitment to the next, hoping that the various presents we’ve ordered will arrive on time and that we’ve not forgotten anyone! Even though there’s often joy in this seasonal madness, some of us will also be eagerly anticipating a slightly calmer time once the festivities are over – and perhaps promising ourselves that we’ll get ‘back on track’ in the new year…. But will we?

I think this quote sums up a vicious circle that a lot of us face – life feels like it’s going a little too quickly and that we don’t have enough time… but because of this lack of time, stopping to work out why (and how we could change it) can feel like a waste, as it’s taking up precious minutes in which we could be ‘doing’ things.

I’ve definitely felt this way myself – and though I can’t promise a magic solution, there is something that I think can help… and that’s having a consistent planning routine. Whatever we want to get done (whether that’s ticking off admin tasks, fulfilling a lifetime goal or catching up with the latest series of our favourite TV show) we need to find the time – and planning can help us to do that. 

At this point you’re maybe thinking ‘well, of course’ – and I know this isn’t rocket science! But how many of us actually do it? I feel like planning is a bit like exercise – we know in theory that it’s good for us, but actually doing it can be trickier… so, if 2025 is the year that you’d like to get on top of your planning routine then here are some ideas to help get you started.

How can a planning routine help?

• Being more intentional – rather than just spending time ‘fire-fighting’ and reacting to whatever comes up.
• Feeling calmer – as we’re not always worrying that there’s something we’ve forgotten.
• Saving us time – we know what our priorities are, so we don’t waste time thinking about them.
• Giving us space to think about our longer-term priorities – instead of being too caught up in the day-to-day to think about the bigger picture.

What might a planning routine look like?

Planning will be slightly different for everyone – paper? digital? daily? weekly? There’s no right or wrong – but consistency is key. We have to trust our planning systems for them to be effective – and that means reviewing things regularly, as sadly there’s no magic system that’ll work without our input! But the more that we get into a routine of doing it consistently then the easier it'll become. 

Here are 5 suggestions for a weekly planning routine:

1. REVIEW – think about last week, what went well? If anything didn’t then what can we learn from that? 
2. NON-NEGOTIABLES – what does the ‘hard landscape’ of the week look like? (i.e. appointments that can’t be changed) Are there any upcoming deadlines or time-sensitive tasks to do?
3. WHAT ELSE? – check inboxes/mail-tray etc. What tasks are outstanding? Is there anything to chase up? What about bigger goals – what steps could we take?
4. FIND THE TIME – once we know what we’ve got to do, how can we fit it into our week? If something feels overwhelming, can it be broken down into smaller tasks? If it doesn’t all fit, what can be delegated or postponed?
5. FINAL CHECKS – take a look at the plan… is it realistic? Is there contingency time for anything unexpected? Do we have some relaxation time in there too?

What if I can’t make myself stick to it?

As I said before, there’s no ‘right’ way to plan – so if you’re finding it tricky to establish a planning routine then here are some ideas to help…

Think about how you work best

Some people find putting things in their diary is a great way to get them to do it – whilst others might respond better to outer accountability, so maybe set up a planning ritual with a friend. Understanding yourself better can help with working out the best planning routine for you – so I’d recommend taking The Four Tendencies quiz from Gretchen Rubin which assesses how we respond to expectations.

Be kind to yourself

Remember, it’s progress and not perfection that we’re aiming for! Even if you’re not managing to plan as much as you’d like, if you’re heading in the right direction then it’s still good. And if things aren’t working the way you want then try not to get annoyed with yourself – instead, get curious and ask yourself why… maybe you’re trying to plan at a time when you’re tired? Or trying to fit in too much? Experimenting is how we find out what works – so if you’re struggling then try tweaking your routine until you find the right fit for you.

Consider getting some support

Just as people might hire a personal trainer to help them exercise, it could be that you need some support with establishing a planning routine. That’s where an APDO member could help! As well as dealing with physical organising and decluttering, some APDO members also offer assistance with planning and productivity – giving clients space to reflect on how they’re using their time and potentially then helping to keep them on track.

We often think of planning as something that’s easy or which should come naturally, but it’s actually a skill that we can work on. I believe that a consistent planning routine can help us to be more intentional about our time – and ultimately to create a happier life, whatever that means to each of us. 

So, whatever you decide to do with your time in 2025, all of us at APDO wish you all the best!