by Brooke Forry

January 1 isn’t that far away, but still, we understand the anticipation of wanting to dive in to your new Balance Bound Planner ASAP. The good news: there are a few things you can do to get a head start!

1. fill in your name and phone number on the first page.

This is useful in case you ever lose your planner and the finder needs to track you down… but it also feels delightfully nostalgic, like writing your name in a fresh new notebook in middle school. If you want to write it in your fanciest bubble letters with colored pens and see how “Mrs. Jordan Catalano” looks in your handwriting, we won’t judge.

2. Read our note and how-to on pages 2-3.

Take a little time to learn about our inspiration behind the planner and how best to utilize all the features, including the four signature sections of each day: work, self, others, and home. (Spoiler alert: it’s uncomplicated, intuitive, and super easy to get used to!)

3. Start filling in your word of the year and goals on page 4.

Ah, a page (and year) filled with so much possibility. Yes — I said the same thing in the beginning of 2020 and that turned out like no one expected… but setting a theme and some goals did help to keep me moving forward, even if I didn’t accomplish everything I originally wanted to. I usually take my time fleshing out my goals into February and March, but now is a great time to start thinking about how you’d like this year to take shape for you.

4. Add important 2021 dates.

Go ahead and write in those birthdays, anniversaries, and important events now. We all need lots to look forward to in 2021.

5. Decide how you’ll use all of the features.

Will you use your blank page each week for notes, journaling, gratitude, or something else? How will you use the monthly calendar spreads? What about the dotted grid area at the bottom of each weekday? What self-care practices can become regular parts of your daily routine?

The format is so flexible and customizable — think about how you can make it work best for your life. (In case you’re wondering, I use my blank weekly pages for meeting notes throughout the week, the monthly calendar spreads to plan out blog and social media content, and space at the bottom of each weekday spread for jotting down random notes as needed.)

Oh, and more good news — the 2021 Balance Bound Planner actually kicks off on December 28, 2020, since January 1 falls on a Friday! So enjoy those extra four days before the ball drops, and be sure to let us know how your planner is working for you.