Monthly planning & reset routine for productivity (+ WORKSHEET)

Summary

The video script outlines a comprehensive monthly planning process to help viewers set up for a successful month. It emphasizes the importance of reviewing the previous month's highlights and categorizing life areas, such as finances, career, and social relationships. The speaker shares personal examples and suggests using emojis for a more enjoyable experience. The process involves assessing what went well and what needs improvement, setting deadlines for ongoing projects, and identifying new projects based on the review. It also includes setting outcome and system goals for the month and proactively managing tasks to avoid stress. The video offers a free worksheet to guide viewers through this planning process, encouraging regular check-ins to stay on track and avoid autopilot mode.

Takeaways

• 📅 Start with a monthly review to set the scene for the upcoming month, focusing on big picture questions and personal reflection.
• ✅ Write down the highlights of the past month, including wins, accomplishments, and enjoyable events.
• 🔍 Examine each life category in detail, noting what went well and what could be improved, using primary sources like journals and photos to avoid recency bias.
• 📝 Assign a rating to each life category to quantify progress and facilitate comparison with previous months.
• 🗓️ Prepare for the new month by noting important upcoming dates and events to anticipate what's ahead.
• 📈 List current and upcoming projects, defining a project as anything with multiple steps that need to be completed.
• 📉 Prioritize projects based on importance and feasibility, ensuring a manageable workload that aligns with personal and professional goals.
• 📅 Spread out tasks and deadlines across the month to prevent overwhelm and allow for a balanced schedule.
• 📝 Break down larger projects into steps and estimate the time required for each to ensure they are feasible within the month's timeframe.
• 🎯 Set clear goals for the month, distinguishing between outcome goals (specific achievements) and systems goals (habits or routines).
• 🔄 Customize the planning process according to personal needs and the current pace of life, ensuring it remains a useful tool for self-assessment and direction setting.

Q & A

What is the primary purpose of the monthly planning process described in the transcript?

The primary purpose of the monthly planning process is to set up for a great month by reviewing the past month's highlights, evaluating each life category, and planning for the upcoming month with a focus on concrete tasks, scheduling, and setting goals.

What tool does the speaker use to start their monthly review process?

The speaker uses an app called Day One to journal and start their monthly review process by looking at all of the weekly reviews and daily journal entries.

How does the speaker gather data on how the month went?

The speaker gathers data by reviewing their journal entries, calendar events, and camera roll to get a comprehensive overview of the month.

What is the first step in the speaker's monthly planning process?

The first step is to write down all the highlights of the month, which includes wins, accomplishments, and any positive events or things they were grateful for.

How does the speaker approach reviewing each area of their life?

The speaker reviews each area of life by looking at what went well, what did not go so well, and how they would like to improve that category in the next month.

Why does the speaker believe reviewing is as important as planning?

The speaker believes reviewing is as important as planning because it helps to understand the current position and progress, which is essential for deciding the direction for future planning.

What does the speaker suggest doing after reviewing each life category?

After reviewing each life category, the speaker suggests assigning a rating to quantify the evaluation and facilitate comparison with previous months.

What is the definition of a 'project' according to the speaker?

According to the speaker, a project is broadly defined as anything that involves multiple steps to complete, such as making a YouTube video, writing an essay, searching for an apartment, or organizing a dinner.

How does the speaker prepare for the new month in terms of planning?

The speaker prepares by looking at the calendar for important upcoming dates, listing current and upcoming projects, and deciding on new projects based on the areas they want to improve.

What is the significance of setting goals at the end of the monthly planning process?

Setting goals at the end of the process helps the speaker to have a clear focus on the most important outcomes and systems they want to achieve or establish during the month.

What is the speaker's attitude towards goals?

The speaker is ambivalent about goals as a concept, but finds value in having a list of important outcomes and systems to focus on, which serves as a daily reminder and motivation.

How can the monthly planning process be customized?

The process can be customized based on how busy one's life is and the amount of planning required, allowing for a bare minimum version to be done every month or a more detailed approach as needed.