24 End-of-the-Year Planning Tips

The end of the year is a natural time to pause, look back at what worked, and start thinking about what you want to carry forward into the new year.

But there’s more to getting ready for a new planning year than choosing a new planner and filling in January.

This series of 24 End-of-the-Year Planning Tips covers everything from reflecting on the year you’re finishing and evaluating how well your planner worked, to clearing out old information, setting new goals and habits, and getting your planner ready for the year ahead.

You don’t need to tackle them all at once, or even work through them in order. Browse the list, choose the tips that fit where you are right now, and come back to the others when you’re ready.

All 24 End-of-the-Year Planning Tips

Tip #1: Begin Capturing Your Reflections of the Past Year
Take some time to begin looking back before you start planning forward.
Read Planning Tip #1

Tip #2: Record Updates to Holiday Lists, Plans, and Ideas
Capture the things you’ll want to remember before this season’s details disappear from memory.
Read Planning Tip #2

Tip #3: Evaluate Your Planner’s Performance
Before choosing what comes next, take an honest look at how your current planner worked for you.
Read Planning Tip #3

Tip #4: De-clutter, Organize and Update Your Planning Supplies
Take stock of the tools and supplies that support your planning.
Read Planning Tip #4

Tip #5: Make Your Shopping/Wish List for New Planning Supplies
Once you know what you have, identify what you actually need or would like for the coming year.
Read Planning Tip #5

Tip #6: Plan a Planner’s Get-Together With Like-Minded Friends
Planning doesn’t always have to be a solitary activity.
Read Planning Tip #6

Tip #7: Make Self-Care a Priority
Remember to include yourself when you’re deciding how your time will be spent.
Read Planning Tip #7

Tip #8: Establish Daily Routines That Include Planning
Build planning into the rhythm of your day rather than relying on finding time for it.
Read Planning Tip #8

Tip #9: End Each Day With Time for Reflection
Create space at the end of the day to pause, capture and reflect.
Read Planning Tip #9

Tip #10: Wrap Up Work Projects Before the Holidays
Identify what needs to be completed so unfinished work doesn’t quietly follow you into the new year.
Read Planning Tip #10

Tip #11: Choose a Word or Theme for the Coming Year
Consider a word or theme that can help guide your decisions and priorities.
Read Planning Tip #11

Tip #12: Select and Start Setting Up Your New Planner
Give yourself time to set up and adjust your new planner before you need to depend on it every day.
Read Planning Tip #12

Tip #13: Create Wish Lists
Capture the things you’re interested in rather than relying on memory.
Read Planning Tip #13

Tip #14: Review Your Goals From Last Year
Look back at what you hoped to accomplish before deciding what belongs on next year’s list.
Read Planning Tip #14

Tip #15: Purge Old Notes and Lists
Clear away information that no longer deserves space or attention in your planner.
Read Planning Tip #15

Tip #16: Streamline the Sections in Your Planner
Decide which sections are still useful and which ones no longer fit the way you plan.
Read Planning Tip #16

Tip #17: Perform a New Ink Test
Test the pens and inks you plan to use before committing them to your new planner pages.
Read Planning Tip #17

Tip #18: Begin Migrating Data to Your New Planner
Start transferring the information you’ll need as you move into your new planning setup.
Read Planning Tip #18

Tip #19: Set New Goals
Use what you’ve learned from the past year to begin deciding what you want to accomplish next.
Read Planning Tip #19

Tip #20: Break Down Your Goals Into Interim or Step Goals
Turn larger goals into smaller milestones that are easier to plan and act on.
Read Planning Tip #20

Tip #21: Identify New Habits
Consider the repeated behaviors that can help support the results you want.
Read Planning Tip #21

Tip #22: Identify Resources for Completing Goals
Think beyond the goal itself and identify what you may need to help accomplish it.
Read Planning Tip #22

Tip #23: Begin Migrating Important Data
Make sure the information you rely on follows you into your new planning system.
Read Planning Tip #23

Tip #24: Celebrate Your Progress Over the Past Year
Before rushing into what comes next, take time to recognize what you’ve already accomplished.
Read Planning Tip #24

You Don’t Have to Wait Until December

Preparing for a new planning year doesn’t have to happen during the last few hectic days of December. Starting earlier gives you time to reflect, make adjustments and prepare your planner thoughtfully instead of rushing through the process.

Pick the tips that are useful to you now. Bookmark this page and come back as the end of the year gets closer.

Your planner should help you move into the new year with greater clarity, not become one more thing you have to finish before January 1.

Happy planning,

Linda