The planning shift that helped me quit falling behind.

I’ve spent the entire last year feeling behind.

Very behind.

See, I reeeeeally thought that with the kids back in school (instead of homeschooling), I’d have a lot more time to get things done.

In actuality, I had approximately the same amount of time because all that “free time” was spent driving my kids all over the greater Las Vegas area.

Joke’s on me!

I think I switched up my planner layout no less than 7 times, trying out new routines and systems, and still I found myself feeling so. incredibly. behind.

Behind on housework. Behind on work deadlines. Behind on texts and emails and appointments and meal plans.

Behind on life.

Every week, it felt like I was starting from scratch – re-writing the same tasks in my planner, trying to remember what I had already done and what still needed attention, and feeling like I could never quite catch up.

Far too much to do, far too little time.

It wasn’t that I wasn’t trying. I absolutely was!

It was that in this new season of life, I needed a system that was automated, so I didn’t have to keep trying to figure out what I should be doing – I could just DO IT.

So I took the plunge into digital planning – creating a system that could actually do some of the automating and decision making FOR ME.

And for the first time in a VERY long time, I’m starting to feel like I actually have a handle on all those things I’ve always fallen behind on.

I stopped re-writing my to-do list every day and started using recurring tasks inside Asana (you can do the same in Trello!). Now, instead of copying things over week after week, I check a box, and the task resets automatically!!! (This is a game changer, honestly.)

I added due dates to each task, organized everything into categories that make sense for my brain, and started building out a space where everything, from meal planning to work projects to family to-dos, lives in one place.

I even found a home for all of those one-off tasks and ideas that pop up at the most inconvenient times – and stopped having to remember them all!

And slowly, I’ve started catching my breath.

Not because I’m doing less, but because I finally have a prioritized-for-me list of what needs to be done, which frees up my mental space to focus on what actually matters each day.

I don’t know if it’s being in my 40’s, or just my own slow-to-transition personality, but the ability to use a planning system that does a lot of work on my behalf is just plain freeing.

Do I still use my paper planner? You bet I do. But it’s more of my overarching goals + daily action plan and less the one place where everything lives. (I’ll share more about how I’m using both together next week!)

Using a planning system that’s available wherever I am is seriously helping me feel caught up on life, and THAT allows me to chill out and be a more present wife, mom, and friend.

So, my friend, if you, too, have ever felt like you can’t stay on top of things, no matter how hard you try…

Or if you’ve ever re-written the same list 12 times…

Or if you’re craving a system that just plain makes planning feel peaceful again…

…I cannot wait to share the S.O.S. Digital Planning System with you!

I’m not trying to be dramatic, but it really has changed both my work AND home life. And I think you’re going to love it, too!!

Want to get a sneak peek at the whole system? RSVP to our Digital Planning Party here!!

In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you. Have you tried digital planning before? Comment below and let me know!