Conversations With My Planner Girl Self #3

​Welcome to another post from the Conversations With My Planner Girl Self blog series here at Createyou86.  If you are new to the planning community this post is specifically to you. This post will tell you how to set up a planner.   It will be something that I wished that I had when I first started planning in one simple post.  Most bloggers make it near impossible to find the meat and potatoes of their post, but here it is!

HOW TO SET UP A PLANNER IN 7 EASY STEPS

1. Pick your planner, and date your inserts (if they aren't already dated for you.)
2. Name your sections if you are using a ring binder, or name/identify your books if you are using a travelers notebook type planner.
3. Mark bills or paydays.  This can seem repetitive (and is exactly why I don't use a monthly planner, but you do whatever makes you comfortable.)
4. Birthdays/anniversaries. 
5. Extracurricular activities, school meetings, work items.
6. Work, school, vacations, Dr. Apts., pet care, car upkeep.
7. Set up your first couple of weeks for the year by forwarding your info to the weekly spreads to the new planner before the new year begins so that you are ready to go. 

How simple was that?  I wish I had something that was as simple as that when I was setting up my first planner.  I searched YouTube for hours looking for the "right setup" for me when it was as simple as putting things where I needed them.  I hope that this is helpful in your new planner journey.  Your Planner Style Podcast Episode

Let me know in the comments: How long have you been planning?  Did you wish you had something like this as a new planner to help you?