The Happy Planner ™ Review and Goal Setting!
We’re 2/3rds into the year! Ready for a life audit and new planning strategy?
*This post contains affiliate links to the Amazon products I think you will find super helpful!
My Introduction To The Happy Planner
I have a confession…I’m a bit planner obsessed. As some of you know, I currently live abroad and was already trying to figure out how I was going to get a planner, that I would love, here in South America. I had researched different ones from Kate Spade to Erin Condren to the Day Designer to The Happy Planner ™. They all have great aspects and I could not decide or figure how I was going to get one to me for the new year.
(If you just want the life audit tips, you can scroll down to skip the planner review.)
Then my friend surprised me by sending a wonderful package that just so happened to contain The Happy Planner ™. It is the 18-month planner, starting back in July. I considered continuing my current planner and starting with the Happy Planner in January, but I just couldn’t wait. I caught up July and dived right into August.
There are many aspects of Create 365 The Happy Planner™ that I adore, so let’s break them down:
Why I Love The Happy Planner ™
Removable Pages- this makes it easier to take pages out to write on them and decorate them more easily. You can also replace the pages, add more, or move them around with the ring system.
Removing Pages from The Happy Planner™ from me & my BIG ideas on Vimeo.
The Block Schedule Layout- the previous planner I have broke the days down by hour and while I like to have my schedule broken down, this was a bit much. The Happy Planner separates each day into three blocks. I use these for morning, afternoon, and evening. I really like this as I am trying to train myself to use more of a block schedule.
It is also great that there is a note section on the side. I use this area to write inspirational quotes or tasks that need to get done that week but not on a particular day.
The Monthly Tabs- this is something else my previous planner did not have and is one of my favorite features of The Happy Planner™. The tabs are sturdy and colorful make flipping between months a breeze.
It’s Attractive
I’m one of those nerdy people that love to plan anyways, but a beautiful design never hurts. The Happy Planner makes you happy with its bright pages full of stripes and polka dots and other fun patterns. Each month brings a fun new design. The inspirational quotes don’t hurt either.
I also like that the rings have a heart cut out. It is a charming detail. The only thing is that I like to store my sharpie pens in the rings and you cannot do that with this one. There are also multiple covers to choose from and they are all lovely. I have the Be Happy Be Bright Be You cover. You can change out the covers later or even design your own.
Goal Setting
A new page begins each month with an area for you to write each month’s goals and also what you are currently up to. It is an inspiring way to track what you are participating in and accomplishing each month.
Here’s your overview in video format:
Intro to The Happy Planner™
Intro to The Happy Planner™ from me & my BIG ideas on Vimeo.
Overall I am extremely happy with my Happy Planner. A wonderful bonus of The Happy Planner™ is the passionate community that it built around it making it easy to find tutorials, reviews, inserts, and stickers to enhance your planner. I have added some printable stickers to the Printables board on Pinterest, so be sure to check that out!
You can also find stickers and inserts on Amazon, Etsy, or at your local Micheal’s craft store if you have one. Be sure to use Ebates for some extra cash back if you shop these stores online!
Explore More: Planners and Organizers For Women
Now that we have covered the planner, let’s evaluate the year!
Year In Review Audit
I know it is not the end of the year yet, but now is a wonderful time to evaluate where you are in meeting this year’s goals. Why? Becuase you still have time to meet those you have yet to accomplish. I have made some great strides in my business this year and some have been very recent like building my new writer site and learning Squarespace.
I have had the opportunity to write for and work with some great new clients and editors like the team over at Sprout Social Insights. And have started using the Sprout Social Dashboard to manage my social media staying on top of scheduling posts! I have also recently started growing my Twitter to connect with more online entrepreneurs and freelancers.
My point is that it is not too late in the year to jump on the rest of your goals! I still have some topics ideas I would like to pitch to Huffington Post and Inc.com I also have some more organizing to do and more new biz projects.
The problem?
You do not know where to go with your goals if you don’t know where you’ve been. Some goals you made at the beginning of the year may no longer be relevant. Others may need adjustments for where you are in your life now. Goals can be flexible. It’s a wonderful time to do a life and biz audit. What have you accomplished? What would you still like to accomplish this year or next year? What do you need to adjust?
Let me make a point here that this is not about beating yourself up over what you have not yet accomplished! Do not do that to yourself. Let this year be as is. Simply adjust and move forward with renewed strength!
[bctt tweet=”Let this year be as is. Simply adjust and move forward with renewed strength!” username=”lorihil”]
If you feel like your life is ready for an audit, I have created a free worksheet for you. Simply print and start evaluating. Remember to be kind to yourself as you work through it.
Click The Picture to Download Your Free Audit Worksheet
Also check out Elana Lyn’s Post: How To Do A Life Audit
and my previous post Does Your Life and Work Need a Pivot
If you found this post helpful please share it and leave me a comment below. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Marina says
Wow, it looks really cool. I should try it as soon as I clear other five planners that I currently use 😮
lorihil says
It’s great. Happy Planning!
Jenn @ The Art of Better Blogging says
I LOVE my Happy Planner! The only thing I wish was different is that the day was broken down by hour. I grid it out manually each week though since I love everything else about it. You’re so right, the community is wonderful as well.
lorihil says
I thought that at first, Jen as my last planner was by the hour, but I have decided I like the blocks better. Happy Planning!
Natasha Botkin says
Looks very nice and love td vids!
lorihil says
Thanks Natasha, Happy Planning and Happy New Year!