How to Start Planning – Improve Your Website And Get Organized

Someone once said, ‘Planning is everything,’ and although I was initially uncertain about it, I now completely agree! Planning enables us to work more quickly and efficiently, while also helping us stay organized and stay on top of our tasks. Without it, I’d forget half of the things I need to do! This is especially relevant for people who have a full-time job and an online presence (blog, website, social media, etc.) as a side hustle. Keeping track of everything that needs to be done can be overwhelming. In this post, I will show you how to start planning and what you can plan in advance to make your life easier.

This is the first post of a 12-part series I have planned for this year. My goal is to help you improve your online presence, whether you have a small personal blog or a well-known business website. So, stay tuned for some awesome tips that will make your online presence shine!

How to Start Planning

To get started with planning, all you need is a piece of paper and a writing tool. If you prefer digital tools, you can use Notepad on your phone or computer. However, for me, physical planning has been a game changer.

Even the smallest lists count!

If you’re new to planning, don’t worry – we all start somewhere! My advice is to start small so that you don’t get overwhelmed. Having too many plans can easily discourage you, and that’s the last thing we want! What worked for me was creating a simple yearly plan with just a few projects or new things that I wanted to start. You can even put this list on your wall or fridge so that you see it often and stay motivated!

Another important thing is the weekly planner. I find it helpful to make a list of tasks I want to complete each week. Some of them are quick and easy, while others might take a whole day. Just remember to keep the list reasonable and not too long! Oh, and don’t forget to add short tasks to the list too! I find that crossing things off the list as I complete them really boosts my productivity and makes me feel accomplished.

I have designed a Life & Blog Planner that helps me to manage my life more easily. The planner is adaptable, giving you the freedom to print and use the pages that are important to you. You can start with the Weekly Planner page (or choose the Daily/Monthly one if you prefer) and add other pages like Yearly Goals or Finance Tracker as per your requirements.

The best things to plan first

It’s possible to plan every aspect of your life, including your meals, sleeping schedule, and work routine. However, it’s not advisable to turn your entire life into a rigid schedule. Everyone needs time for spontaneity and creativity. To avoid overthinking, you can start with these simple lists:

#1 Yearly Goals and Plans

It’s a good idea to make a list of things you want to achieve or do in the current year. Although it’s not necessary to make this list in January, it’s recommended to start at the beginning of the year. If it’s already summer, it’s better to switch to Monthly Goals and Plans. It’s best to use printed planners for this as you can pin your list in a visible place to keep track and stay focused. You can include both personal and business-related items on the list, or create two separate lists for them.

You can find the Yearly Vision and Goals page and Monthly calendars in our 2024 Life Planner

#2 Daily/Weekly/Monthly Plans

I’m a big fan of planning out my week in advance. It helps me stay organized and on top of everything. I make sure to jot down all the tasks I need to complete during the week, both big and small. And I always throw in a few easy ones too, just so I can cross them off my list and feel accomplished!

Plus, it’s a great way to motivate myself when I’m feeling a bit unmotivated. Whenever it’s time to work, I just take a look at my list and start with the task at the top. It’s amazing how much easier it is to get started when you have a plan in place. If you sometimes struggle with motivation, I highly recommend trying to complete at least one or two tasks from your list each day. You’ll be surprised at how much it can boost your productivity.

Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Planner pages can be found in Both Blog Planner and Life Planner.

#3 Social Media Planners

If you’re handling social media accounts for your business, I know it can be a lot of work. Using a planner is a super helpful way to keep your content on track and make sure you’re always promoting the things that matter most to you. Believe me, it can make a world of difference in how successful you are online.

Planning ahead is a great way to keep your social media posts organized and ensure your feed looks amazing. By planning a month in advance, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of your content and can figure out which posts you might be missing, or which ones you’re sharing too frequently. It’s a great way to make sure your social media presence is on point!

Social Media Planners and Trackers can be found in 2024 Blog Planner.

Bonus: Finance Tracker

It is not really something you plan in advance but rather a way to keep track of your money. Planning your finances in advance can be tricky, but keeping track of your money is a great way to stay on top of things. It’s especially helpful for small business owners or bloggers like yourself. By keeping track of your additional expenses, you can make sure your business isn’t eating into your personal funds too much.

You can find the Finance Tracker pages and in our 2024 Life Planner

Are you ready to start planning?

I hope so! All you need is a piece of paper or any planner you have. We even have a Free 2024 Planner that you can download to get started! Give it a try and see how much of a difference it can make.

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