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134. What You Need to be Writing in Your Planner in 2026 📝

If you want clarity, not chaos, anyway.


Heeey, bestie! In this week’s episode of Hustled Up, I’m flying solo and talking all about [you guessed it] PLANNING. As your friendly-neighborhood-unofficially-certified-planner-gworly, I’ve been using planners consistently since 2018, and over the years I’ve learned one very important thing: your planner is so much more than just a calendar. It’s a tool to run your life.


If you’ve ever felt like you have a planner but still feel scattered, overwhelmed, or like you’re forgetting things, this episode is for you. I’m breaking down the absolute non-negotiable things you should be writing in your planner in 2026 to create a year that feels productive, organized, and aligned — without burning yourself out!


This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about function.



Below is a breakdown of everything I cover in the episode so you can start building a planning system that actually works for you.


The Core Things You Need in Your Planner


✅ To-Do Lists & Task Management

Your brain is not meant to carry everything. Writing things down reduces mental load and overwhelm instantly. I recommend:

  • A daily top 3 priorities

  • A running list for tasks that can roll over

Remember: not everything needs to be done today — and that’s okay.


✅ Appointments [For You and Your Family]

If it has a time, it needs a home in your planner. That includes:

  • Personal appointments

  • Work meetings

  • Kids’ activities

  • Vet visits, oil changes, and everything in between

This helps prevent overbooking, missed appointments, and burnout.


✅ Errands List [The Forgotten MVP]

Errands don’t always have appointments, but they still need to get done. Writing them down ensures things like returns, drop-offs, and pickups don’t slip through the cracks — especially when deadlines are involved.


✅ Goals [Short-Term, Long-Term, and Habit Goals]

Your goals should live inside your planner — not in a dusty notebook you forget about. I talk about:

  • Monthly and quarterly goals

  • Long-term goals for the year

  • Habit-based goals that support those bigger dreams

And once you take those small steps to achieve those big, hairy, audacious goals, you can add them to your daily task lists. Hopefully you can see by now: everything works together as a system! Like cogs in a beautiful planner machine!


✅ Habit Trackers

Habits are how goals become reality. Tracking habits helps with:

  • Accountability

  • Motivation

  • Seeing patterns over time

Important to remember: consistency matters more than perfection! And simple is sustainable.


✅ Parking Lot [Brain Dump] Pages

This is one of the most underrated planner sections. A parking lot gives you a place to:

  • Dump ideas

  • Capture thoughts

  • Get things out of your head quickly

You can revisit this page later and assign items to the correct place in your planner.


✅ Ideal Week Layout

An ideal week page helps you design your life before reacting to it. This includes:

  • Recurring commitments

  • Time blocking for priorities

  • Protecting your energy

It’s incredibly eye-opening for overcommitment and helps you set realistic expectations.


The Intention & Reflection Sections That Change Everything


✨ Word of the Year

Your word of the year acts as a filter for decisions and commitments. Writing it down and revisiting it regularly helps you move with intention instead of autopilot.


💭 Personal Check-Ins [Monthly or Quarterly]

These check-ins help you course-correct instead of pushing through burnout. I recommend asking:

  • How am I feeling?

  • What worked?

  • What didn’t?

  • What needs to change?

Awareness and grace go a looooong way! 🫶


🌟 Daily Wins & Gratitude

This is especially important for high-achievers. Writing down:

  • Daily wins

  • Moments of gratitude

trains your brain to see progress — even on hard days — and keeps motivation high!


Planner Mistakes to Avoid

In this episode, I also talk about a few common pitfalls, including:

  • Overstuffing your planner

  • Planning an unrealistic life

  • Copying someone else’s system

  • Letting your planner become a source of pressure

Your planner should support you — not stress you out.


Listen to Today's Episode Here:



Episodes Mentioned in This Episode

If you want to go deeper, here are the episodes I referenced:

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a perfect planner. You need clarity! Your system is allowed to evolve as your life changes, and you’re allowed to honor the season you’re in. If this episode inspired you, I’d love to know:

  • What planner sections you’re adding for 2026

  • What your word of the year is

Tag me, message me, or screenshot your planner and share it — I truly want to see it!


Here’s to a productive, intentional, and balanced 2026. Thanks for listening! 📒✨

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