Why Planning Looks Different to Everyone (and That’s OK)
If you’ve ever stared at a perfectly color-coded planner on Instagram and wondered why yours doesn’t look like that, this post is for you.
There are as many planning styles as there are people. Committed paper planners and digital-only people. Minimalist planners and color-coded, decorative creatives. Bullet journalers and hourly schedulers. You get the idea!
The Myth of a “Correct” Way
Planning is personal–like your favorite jeans, coffee order, and bedtime routine. Contrary to what the productivity bros will tell you, there isn’t a correct or perfect way to plan. The planning method that works for you depends on your life stage, personality, season, and how your beautiful brain works.
It can be so easy to fall into the trap of productivity obsession and even basing your worth on how much you accomplish, rather than being a whole person who also gets things done. I wrote this post about compassionate time management last year, and I stand by it. If we plan in a way that allows us to notice and adjust to our energy levels, values, and rhythms of life, we can feel whole and integrated while also accomplishing what needs to get done.
For a long time, I based my worth on getting my entire to do list done, having a full social calendar, and appearing to be perfectly organized. And let me tell you, it was exhausting. In many ways, I now have more on my plate than I did then, but I’m vastly kinder to myself about handling it all.
Common Planning Personalities
While your planning won’t look the same as anyone else’s, there tends to be a few common themes that emerge among planning people.
The Aesthetic Planner: She loves stickers, washi tape, and never scribbles.
The Functional Minimalist: Girlfriend just needs a checkbox and a pen.
The Digital Darling: She lives by Google Calendar and phone reminders.
The Hybrid: They use the best of the paper and digital worlds.
The Sticky Note Boss: She doesn’t really need a planner when a few well-placed sticky notes will do.
None of the types is better or worse than another, but it can help to know what you gravitate toward and what works best for you. I’m mostly hybrid, with all appointments scheduled on my electronic calendar, but a paper planner on my desk with daily to do’s and notes. I use a well-timed sticky note reminder when it’s called for, too.
Perfection is Not the Goal
The Lazy Genius’ delightful book The Plan teaches us that our goal isn’t actually to become productivity robots, despite what we have been programmed to think. Embracing compassionate time management gives you grace to focus on what’s important. Being kind to yourself in your planning helps you to honor your energy, live within your season, and to be the boss of your planner. Remember, it’s there to serve you, not the other way around.
Join the Party
I hope to see you at our Planning Party on January 17, 2026.
If you’ve been struggling to make your planner or system work for you, come learn how to plan your way at the Good Help Organizing Planning Party in January! We’ll talk tools, mindset, and you’ll leave with the permission you need to make your system fit your life—not the other way around.
When:
Saturday, January 17, 2026, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Where:
TRAC 1501 5th St. NE, Jamestown, ND
