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Hi Reader,

The past few weeks have been... well, filled 😅, and I was reminded, in a very practical way, why my planner matters so much.

I’ve just stepped into a new role at Vancouver Island University as an entrepreneurship advisor with the SPARK program while remaining fully immersed in my MBA. On top of that, I’ve also officially started my entrepreneur consulting business (more on that soon 👀).

In my role with SPARK VIU, I support students, early-stage founders, and community innovators in turning ideas into action. I work at the intersection of strategy, coaching, and community-building. It’s meaningful, energizing work… and it comes with many moving parts.

Safe to say: planning has become more crucial than ever!

And yet, full honesty moment, I forgot to send last week’s newsletter 🤪

Not because I don’t have a planner.
But because I didn’t put everything in it.

Hey, I'm not perfect! If I was, I wouldn't have any material to share with you 😅

So let that be your reminder (and mine): A planner only works if you actually use it as the single place where things live.

Planning has always been a big part of how I turn ideas into reality and how I keep overwhelm at bay. It’s one of the ways I create space for what matters instead of constantly reacting to what’s loudest or most urgent.

For the past few years, I’ve been using a Passion Planner, and what I love most about it is that it helps me plan my life, not just my tasks.

Here’s what my weekly planning looks like.

At the end of every week, I sit down and plan the week ahead, and I always start with my mornings. That’s where my morning routine lives.

I start with me, so I can show up as the best version of myself for the rest of the day.

Then I plan:

• the days I go to the gym (depending on morning meetings or coaching sessions)
• lunch blocks (because skipping lunch or eating at my desk does not align with my vision of growing old in a strong, healthy way)
• all fixed meetings and commitments

Only then do I look at the open spaces and decide what fits where.

And yes, I intentionally leave blank spots. Because not everything goes according to plan. Pretending otherwise only creates frustration.

Alongside my planner, I also use a habit tracker (you know, the bare minimums we talked about last week) and then I have my Bullet Journal (that's where my to-do lists live). These all work beautifully together.

One important reminder I often share with clients, and need myself to 👉Your planner is NOT your to-do list. Your planner is where you plan your to-do’s.

That distinction matters.

When I give my tasks a time and a place:

• I create freedom instead of pressure
• I beat procrastination before it shows up
• I work in focused time blocks
• and I keep my perfectionism in check (because the time block ends, whether it’s “perfect” or not)

Planning doesn’t restrict me.

It gives me more time and energy for the things that align with my bigger vision of life and work.

And sometimes… it also reminds me to send the newsletter 😉

By the way, this is a snapshot of our trip to the Sunshine Coast; needless to say, it was beautiful!

I'll see you next week, yes, it's in my planner 🙃 Until then, I’m curious: How are you currently planning your weeks, and where does it feel supportive or frustrating?

Sending you lots of positive vibes from Canada 🇨🇦
Peggy

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