How to Make a Sustainable Planning System
Using both analog and digital planners
I work best when I have a plan I believe in, but as soon as I reach the end of it, I lose all faith in planning and refuse to make a new one. The evidence of the value of planning is right in front of me, but it still takes a few weeks or months of dithering before I conclude for the hundredth time that fine, it’s worth the trouble, and I’ll start now.
A few months ago, I was between plans again. I’d just finished the first draft of my fantasy novel and busy procrastinating on planning the second draft. Plus, the 2020 election was keeping me occupied. I started keeping a daily notebook to navigate my structureless, aimless, befuddled days.
I also started making a master-index, cataloging all my past journals and notebooks. I dwelt on the past and present until I was ready to tackle the future.
However, by doing so, I also stumbled upon some upgrades to my planning system, which I hope will make the prospect less daunting going forward.
Writing every day in my notebook, I figured out that looking ahead at what’s on my plate for tomorrow helps me stay oriented and mentally prepared for busy days. Which, in turn, will build positive momentum, and hopefully carry over to the end of the project.
