For years, I searched for the perfect planner and planning system. I bought so many different planners, but they never quite worked. Some didn’t have enough space, some had sections I didn’t need, and some were so beautiful I was scared to spoil them by actually using them. No matter what I tried, nothing truly helped me stay organised in a way that felt sustainable.
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Table Of Contents
The Organised Life & Gratitude Planner: The System That Finally Works
After years of trial and error, I realised I needed a planner that worked for my life—one that was structured but flexible, practical yet motivating. That’s why I created the Organised Life & Gratitude Planner, a system designed to help busy mums juggle everything without feeling overwhelmed. It combines weekly and daily planning, brain dumps for ADHD-friendly organisation, time blocking, and a gratitude practice that has helped me stay consistent. Since refining this system, I finally feel like I have control over my schedule instead of my schedule controlling me.
If you’ve ever struggled with traditional planners or found it hard to stick to a routine, this system might be exactly what you need. Let me walk you through how I use it, starting with my weekend reset.
Step 1: The Weekend Reset – How I Set Up for the Week
Every weekend, I take 20 to 30 minutes to reset my life for the week ahead. This process helps me see what’s coming, prepare for it, and reduce last-minute stress.
Check the Digital Calendar
While my planner is the heart of my organisation system, I still rely on a digital calendar for long-term planning. In our family, we use Apple Calendars, which sync across all of our devices. We have separate calendars for different things—my work, family events, and activities for the children. The school calendar is also linked, so any updates from the school appear automatically.
This digital calendar holds all the essential dates, like dentist appointments or events scheduled months in advance. Each weekend, I transfer the key details from my digital calendar into my planner.
Fill in the Week at a Glance
Once I’ve checked my digital calendar, I set up my Week at a Glance section in my planner. This is where I map out the key events of the week ahead, including:
- Appointments and commitments
- After-school activities like swimming lessons and school discos
- Special events like school trips
- Any key reminders, such as needing a packed lunch or specific supplies
Seeing the whole week laid out like this helps me plan what needs to be done to make sure everything runs smoothly.
Meal Plan and Grocery List
After I’ve mapped out our week, I move on to meal planning. I do this in two parts:
- Check what needs using up – I look in the fridge, freezer, and cupboards to see what we already have.
- Plan meals around our schedule – Some nights I have more time to cook, while others need quick meals or ones that can be prepped in advance.
Once the meal plan is set, I add missing ingredients to my grocery list. In our kitchen, we have a family organisation station, where everyone can write down things we’ve run out of. This stops my family from just shouting “Mum, we’re out of toothpaste” and expecting me to remember.
I always do our grocery shopping online. It saves so much time and ensures I buy only what we need. I book delivery slots for the whole month in advance so I never get caught out.
Prioritise Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix is a simple but powerful way to sort my to-do list. I divide tasks into four categories:
- Urgent and important – Must be done immediately
- Important but not urgent – Needs to be planned into the week
- Urgent but not taxing – Quick tasks like buying a birthday card
- Neither urgent nor important – Tasks that can wait
This step ensures I focus on what truly matters rather than just reacting to whatever feels urgent at the moment.
Step 2: My Daily Planning Routine – How I Stay on Track
Once my weekly plan is in place, I break it down into a daily routine.
Morning Planning Habit
Before I check my phone, I open my planner. The first thing I do is fill in:
- My top three priorities for the day – The big things I need to focus on
- Time blocks – Roughly when I’ll do each task
- To-do lists – Personal and work-related
- Gratitude section – A quick way to start my day on a positive note
This routine helps me be intentional rather than reactive, reducing stress before the day even begins.
Keeping My Planner Open Throughout the Day
One of the biggest game-changers has been keeping my planner open on my desk all day. If it’s closed, I forget about it. Keeping it open reminds me to check in, tick things off, and stay focused.
I also use erasable pens in colours that make me happy. If plans change, I can easily adjust without my planner looking messy, which helps me stay motivated to use it.
Evening Check-In
Before bed, I take five minutes to:
- Tick off completed tasks
- Move unfinished tasks forward
- Do a quick brain dump for the next day
This stops my mind from racing at night and helps me start the next day feeling prepared.
How to Make This Planning System Stick
1. Use a Planner That Works for You
The Organised Life Gratitude Planner is the system that has finally worked for me. If you want to try it, I’ll link it below. It’s available as a printable, a digital version for tablets, or a pre-printed book.
2. Keep Your Planner Open
If it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. Keeping your planner open at the right page throughout the day makes it easy to stay on track.
3. Set Up a Digital Brain Dump Note
In addition to my planner, I keep a brain dump note pinned at the top of my phone’s notes app. This is where I jot down ideas and reminders when I’m not near my planner.
Each weekend, I go through this note and transfer anything important into my planner.
4. Block Out Time for Planning
Planning only works if you actually take the time to do it. I schedule my weekend reset into my digital calendar with an alarm so I never forget. The weeks I skip this routine feel chaotic, and it takes me twice as long to get back on track.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever struggled with planning or staying organised, I highly recommend starting with a weekend reset and a simple daily check-in.
You don’t need a complicated system—just a few small changes can make a huge difference.
If you want to grab your own copy of the Organised Life Gratitude Planner, I’ll leave the details below. Let me know in the comments—do you already use a planner, or are you trying to get into the habit?
Get My Free Ultimate Mum Bundle Of Organisation Printables
Ready to take your organisation to the next level? I’ve created the Ultimate Mum Bundle of Organisation Printables to help you stay on track and bring some order to the chaos. Best of all, it’s completely FREE! This bundle includes everything from meal planners and weekly schedules to budgeting sheets and more – all designed to make life a little easier for busy mums like you. Download your free bundle today and start organising your life with ease!
Create Your Own Organised Life Binder (My Secret Weapon)
One of the best tools I’ve used to stay organised and on top of everything is my Organised Life Binder. It’s my secret weapon for managing all the chaos of daily life – from family schedules and meal planning to work tasks and self-care. With everything in one place, I can easily track goals, plan ahead, and keep myself focused. In this post, I’ll show you how to create your own binder so you can experience the same sense of clarity and control in your life!
Grab The Resource I WISH I Had When My Kids Were Being Assessed For Autism
Navigating the autism assessment process can be overwhelming, and when my kids were going through it, I wish I had a resource to help me stay organised and on top of everything. That’s why I’ve created a comprehensive Autism Journey Journal. This resource is everything I wish I’d had at the time – a place to record dates, appointments, meeting notes, and reflections, all while helping you stay prepared every step of the way. Grab your copy now and make the process a little bit easier for you and your family.
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