Do you ever start the month already feeling behind? Like no matter how much you try to plan, life just keeps throwing curveballs? If so, you’re not alone. Today I want to share the monthly planning process I use to stay grounded and focused, even in a season of unpredictability.
Why I Switched to Monthly Planning
I used to set big yearly goals. Then I moved to quarterly planning. But after having my third little boy, I realized I needed something even narrower—something that could flex with changing schedules, shifting energy levels, and my family’s evolving needs.
Monthly planning gave me the structure I needed with the flexibility my life demanded.
Now I follow a simple 3-step system that helps me realign each month without starting from scratch—or burning out.
My 3-Step Monthly Reset
1. Review: Look Back Before You Look Ahead
The first thing I do is take just a few minutes to reflect on:
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What’s working?
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What’s not?
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How are we feeling overall?
This step helps me get a pulse on what’s happening right now so I’m not just setting goals from a place of pressure or habit, but with clarity. I’ll often jot down a few moments of gratitude or favorite memories too. It doesn’t have to be a big journaling session, even mentally reviewing is powerful.
2. Realign: Check Your Priorities and Your Calendar
Next, I do what I call a Realign step.
This means revisiting my priorities for the current season. What matters most right now? What can wait? I also do a quick calendar overview to see what’s already scheduled, appointments, events, school breaks, so I can be realistic about how much time I actually have for projects or goals.
If a week looks especially full, I adjust accordingly. It’s not about cramming in more, it’s about creating a plan that’s actually doable.
3. Refocus: Set Clear Monthly Intentions
Once I know what worked, what didn’t, and what’s coming up, I plug in my intentions and goals for the month ahead.
These are simple, meaningful things like:
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A book I want to read
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A deep-cleaning focus area (like windows or the fridge)
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A small decluttering project
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A family connection activity (like going for a hike or planning a movie night)
These aren’t rigid checklists. They’re anchors- things that help me stay focused on what really matters to me and my family this month.
Want a Little Help with This?
If you want some extra support walking through this process, I created a mini course called the Monthly Reset Formula. It includes:
✅ A short workshop
✅ Printable planning worksheets
✅ Monthly dashboard & focus menus
✅ A custom AI-powered GPT to guide you
It’s a quick and powerful way to reset each month without the stress of starting from scratch.
This process has made such a difference for me this year—especially in a season of transition. I hope it gives you the clarity and calm you need to move into your next month with intention.
