How I plan my week affects my entire family and every aspect of my life and business. After much trial and error, I’ve come up with a simple yet repeatable method of how I plan my week and get more done: the PLAN Method.
The PLAN Method: My Simple 4-Step Weekly Planning System That Actually Works
Feeling overwhelmed by your to-do list? You’re not alone. In my years of helping people transform their planning practice, I’ve discovered something surprising: most of us make planning far more complicated than it needs to be. Today, I’m sharing my proven system that will help you take control of your week and create lasting momentum – without the overwhelm that typically comes with new planning methods.
It’s what we discuss in detail on this episode of the Everyday MAGIC Podcast.
Listen on: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
The Hidden Problem with Most Planning Systems
Here’s what nobody tells you about planning: trying to overhaul your entire system overnight is like attempting to run a marathon without training. It’s not just ambitious – it’s a recipe for disappointment. The most successful planners I’ve worked with don’t aim for perfection. Instead, they focus on building consistent habits through intentional, manageable steps.
This realization led me to develop the PLAN method, a framework that anyone can implement immediately, regardless of their current planning practice.
Understanding the PLAN Method
Let’s dive deep into each component of this system:
P – Prioritization: The Foundation of Productive Weeks
Prioritization isn’t just about knowing what to do – it’s about knowing what matters most. Start each week by identifying your top three priorities. These aren’t simple tasks; they’re outcomes that will meaningfully move your life forward.
Ask yourself these three questions:
1. What three accomplishments would make this week successful?
2. Which activities will have the biggest positive impact on my goals?
3. What could I complete that would make other tasks easier or unnecessary?
This focused approach prevents the common trap of mistaking busyness for productivity.
L – List Making: The Strategic Brain Dump
While many planning methods suggest creating endless to-do lists, the PLAN method takes a more strategic approach. Create three distinct columns:
Must Do: Tasks that directly impact your top priorities or have immediate consequences if left undone.
Should Do: Important tasks that move you forward but aren’t urgent.
Could Do: “Nice to have” activities that you’ll tackle if time permits.
This organization method does two powerful things: it prevents overwhelm by creating clear boundaries, and it ensures you’re always working on what matters most.
A – Assign Time Blocks: The Power of Quadrants
This is where your plans transform into reality. Instead of facing an overwhelming 12+ hour day, we break it into four manageable 3-hour quadrants:
AM 1 (6:00 AM – 9:00 AM): Your Foundation Block This early block sets the tone for your entire day. It’s ideal for:
- Personal care and morning routines
- High-priority creative work before distractions begin
- Exercise and movement
- Family time and school preparation
- Strategic planning and review
AM 2 (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Peak Performance Block Most people reach their mental peak during these hours. Reserve this block for:
- Your most challenging work
- Important meetings and presentations
- Strategic thinking and problem-solving
- Client interactions
- Complex project work
PM 1 (12:00 PM – 3:00 PM): Transition Block As your energy naturally dips after lunch, this block works well for:
- Team collaborations and check-ins
- Email and communication catch-up
- Administrative tasks
- Learning and development
- Lighter project work
PM 2 (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM): Closing Block Use this final stretch strategically to:
- Wrap up daily tasks
- Plan for tomorrow
- Follow-up communications
- Family and household management
- Evening meal preparation
The magic of this quadrant system lies in its simplicity. Instead of facing a daunting 12-hour marathon, you’re tackling four distinct sprints. Each quadrant has its own purpose and energy level, allowing you to match tasks to your natural rhythms.
Think of each quadrant as a container with limited space. You can’t overfill a container – when one is full, it’s full. This natural limitation forces you to be realistic about what you can accomplish and helps prevent the common trap of over-scheduling.
When blocking your time, start by placing your highest-priority tasks in your peak energy quadrants (typically AM 1 and AM 2). Then, distribute your remaining tasks based on their importance and the energy they require. Remember: not every quadrant needs to be packed full. White space in your schedule isn’t wasted time – it’s breathing room for the unexpected.
The Everyday MAGIC planner is specifically designed to be able to implement this quadrant system, with dedicated spaces for each time block, making this method even more intuitive and effective.
N – Non-Negotiables: Your Daily Anchors
Non-negotiables are the daily practices that keep you grounded and moving forward, even during chaotic weeks. These might include:
– A morning routine that sets you up for success
– Regular exercise or movement
– Family dinner
– Reading or learning time
– Evening planning session
The key is identifying the handful of activities that make the biggest impact on your well-being and productivity. When you honor these non-negotiables, everything else tends to fall into place more easily.
Making the PLAN Method Work in Real Life
The beauty of this system lies in its flexibility. You can apply it to any area of your life, from professional projects to personal goals. One area where I’ve seen remarkable success is meal planning. Using my EATS framework (Entree, Appetizer, Treat, Sustenance), you can apply these same principles to eliminate the daily stress of “what’s for dinner?”
When you’re ready to take your planning practice to the next level, I’ve created tools specifically designed to support this methodology. The Everyday MAGIC planner integrates these principles into a beautiful, functional system that makes planning feel effortless. Each section is thoughtfully crafted to ensure your planning practice is:
Meaningful: Focus on what truly matters
Aesthetically pleasing: Because beautiful tools inspire use
Goal-oriented: Keep your bigger picture in mind
Intentional: Make purposeful choices
Consistent: Build lasting habits
The Power of Starting Small
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is trying to revolutionize their entire planning system overnight. Instead, I encourage you to start with just one component of the PLAN method this week. Master it, then add another. This gradual approach leads to lasting change rather than temporary motivation.
Your PLAN in Action
1. Begin with the Prioritization step this week. Just focus on identifying your top three priorities each Monday morning.
2. Next week, add the List Making component, organizing your tasks into the three categories.
3. In week three, experiment with time blocking your priorities.
4. Finally, identify and protect your non-negotiables.
The Planner That Helps Me With This
While the PLAN method can work with any tools, I’ve created specific resources to make implementation even easier:
The Everyday MAGIC planner provides a complete system for implementing the PLAN method, with dedicated spaces for each component and beautiful design that makes planning a joy.
For those looking to master meal planning alongside their weekly planning, the EATS Meal Planning pad perfectly complements this system, eliminating another major source of daily stress.
Remember, the goal isn’t perfection – it’s progress. Start with one small step today, and watch how these simple changes in your PLAN compound into MAGIC results over time.
