Most people who come to Jane’s Agenda are not planner beginners.
They already have a planner. They’re here because it’s letting them down.
Sometimes that’s because they’re using the wrong pages for their life (and yes, sometimes money can solve that). But very often, there are simple, free shifts that can dramatically improve how effective a planner feels.
I’ve been the CEO of Jane’s Agenda since 2013, and a committed planner user long before that. Over the years, I’ve helped tens of thousands of women feel more capable, clear, and confident in their days.
These are the five things I wish I could tell every person who comes to me frustrated with a planner that isn’t working.
If you’ve ever thought:
“I have a planner… so why do I still feel overwhelmed?”
This is for you.
An effective planner doesn’t magically fix your life, but it does help you focus on the right things at the right time.
Below are five practical, realistic steps that make your planner more effective, supportive, and usable in real life.
Step 1: Separate Ideas From Commitments (Use a Parking Lot)
Most people use their planner like a container for everything:
- every task
- every idea
- every obligation
That turns your planner into a visual reminder of how much you haven’t done, which is stressful and unnecessary.
An effective planner is not a storage unit. It’s a filter. Its job is to show you what matters now so you can focus.
This is where a parking lot comes in.
A parking lot is a dedicated space where ideas can live without demanding immediate action. It’s a holding place you trust, so your brain doesn’t have to keep reminding you.
We are busy. We carry a lot. Trying to remember every idea and every possible task is not realistic.
Use it for:
- ideas you don’t want to forget
- tasks that matter, but not this week
- creative thoughts that show up at inconvenient times
Keep these off your schedule:
- anything without a deadline
- anything that isn’t a priority right now
Your schedule is for decisions you’ve already made. Your parking lot is for everything else.
Parking Lot vs. Brain Dump: A brain dump is an action (getting everything out of your head). A parking lot is what comes after (the organized, trusted place where those ideas live). Read more on Brain Dumps here.
Step 2: Keep a Monthly Priorities List (Your Planning Radar)
Weekly planning works best when it’s guided by the bigger picture.
Instead of deciding everything week by week, keep a monthly priorities list. It's a short list of what deserves your attention during that month. I keep mine on the back of my monthly spread.
This is not a to-do list.
It’s a radar.
Think in terms of life context:
- Are the kids going back to school?
- Is there a vacation planned?
- Do you need to prepare for taxes, renewals, or deadlines?
- Is this a month that needs lighter expectations?
Write these priorities directly on your monthly calendar page in a simple list.
When the month begins, you already know what matters, and your weekly plans become calmer and more realistic. You also know what to remember to plan out in detail!
Step 3: Plan in a Rolling Two-Week Rhythm
Effectiveness doesn’t come from planning perfectly. It comes from planning consistently.
A simple rhythm that works with real life:
Each week, plan:
- this week (to adjust and refine)
- next week (to give yourself a head start)
When next week arrives, you don’t start from scratch. You update what’s changed, and plan one week beyond.
This rolling two‑week view:
- eliminates Friday stress about Monday projects
- reduces last‑minute decision-making
- protects you if you miss a planning session (yes, moms need sick days too)
If life interrupts and you can’t plan one week, you still have a basic map of what’s coming.
That’s the goal: continuity, not perfection.
If life interrupts and you can’t plan one week, you still have a basic map of what’s coming.
That’s the goal: continuity, not perfection.
A surprising benefit? Planning sessions get shorter. When you’re always a little ahead, you never have to do a massive reset.
Step 4: Plan for Energy, Not Ideal Time
Traditional planning assumes every hour of your day is equal. Real life disagrees.
An effective planner accounts for:
- mental fatigue
- decision load
- emotional capacity
Before you plan, ask:
- “What kind of month or week am I actually in?”
- “Where do I need support, not structure?”
When your planner reflects your real energy — not an ideal version of you — follow‑through becomes easier and more sustainable.
We go much deeper into this inside The Masterplan Collective, where we teach how to plan around energy and demand. If this resonates, it’s likely a good fit.
Step 5: Make Your Planner Enjoyable to Use
Here’s a truth that matters more than most productivity advice admits:
"A planner you enjoy using is more effective than one you avoid."
Aesthetics don’t replace function, but they do support it.
When you like how your planner looks and feels:
- you open it more often
- you come back to it after disruptions
- you trust the system instead of resisting it
Support that flexibility with forgiving tools:
- use a pencil or erasable pen
- allow yourself to change your mind
- keep pages clean and calm
Nothing derails planning momentum faster than feeling like you’ve ruined the page. For the love of all that is productive, please, use a pencil or erasable pen if you don't like scribbles.
This is also why we offer monthly planner subscriptions. A planner that continues to feel fresh and intentional is far more likely to be used. Our 1,500+ members will tell you the same thing: when their planner feels good, they plan more.
The Real Measure of an Effective Planner
A planner is effective if:
- you actually want to open it
- it helps you see what matters
- it makes your life feel quieter
Not because you did everything, but because you did the right things.
This is how we design planning systems: intentional, flexible, and built for real life.
If you enjoyed this, you'll really enjoy Module 4 in The Masterplan Collective, because I'm breaking down my full planning routine. You don't want to miss it!