This is my favorite way to use my notebook for planning the week and setting goals — it’s the perfect balance of creativity and motivation!

I used to use daily calendar planners and special scheduling notebooks to help me make sure my to list was ready and my week was set — let’s be real, half the reason I got those was because they are SO freakin’ cute and the designs would get me every time!

Anyways, I realized that I love a good, blank page, notebook for creating my weekly plan and setting goals. Having a whole blank notebook gives me the space to be creative, to design unique structures that fit each week differently (life of a photog), and it gives me flexibility to use each page as I see fit. Overall, I feel so much more motivated when I get to fully design my plan layout and to do list.

So, I want to share with you HOW I use my notebook for planning — and hopefully you’ll get some creative ideas too!

My step by step layout —

I. DAYS OF THE WEEK — begin by mapping out the days of the week you’re working. This is nice because you can customize it. For example, I used to take Wednesday-Thursday off to match my husband’s schedule, so I would just skip those days in the designing process to save space.

II. MAIN GOALS — start by filling in your main goals for each day. Like — Monday: Editing, Tuesday: website work, Wednesday: photo shoot, etc. Those are the main pillars of your days, and there can be multiple for each day, but if gives you freedom and flexibility to focus on a few things at a time while still giving space for the other things.

III. DAILY TASKS — now add in the other things that are smaller and less time consuming “must do’s” for each of the days. Mine are typically: emails, social media, etc. You can even write in a time allocation so that on the day you set a timer and don’t get carried away.

IV. IMPORTANT DEADLINES — If that week I need to deliver a gallery, check in with a client, or prep a blog post I’ll make sure to put that in the specific day it needs to be done (i.e. “DUE: send x their gallery”). These help me make sure I don’t forget anything important that NEEDS to get done.

V. A TO DO LIST — on the side, I’ll usually create a separate “to do list” that is more of a space to make brain dumps throughout the week. If something last minute pops up or I have an idea I don’t want to forget, I’ll just quickly jot it down there. I use this space SO. MUCH. These to do items can find their way into your week as time allows throughout your days.

A few other things I love —

KEEPING IT VISUAL — I love combining the goal setting side of myself with the creative side of myself. I’ll typically create the design either Sunday evening or Monday morning. But, it’s a fun creative thing to do while watching a movie or listening to a podcast. Doodle. Design. Add stickers. Add colors. It’s a therapeutic, fun way for me to get in the flow of the week!

CREATING OTHER PAGES — I don’t just create weekly planning pages, I also use the blank pages to design brain dumps, processing business ideas, drawing out design concepts for guides and my website.

FLEXIBILITY — As a photographer, my weeks always look different, and this kind of planning really gives me the space to structure my days the way I need to!

I love my planning notebook! I always keep it right by my side at my desk. I definitely recommend giving it a try if you are finding that cookie cutter day planners aren’t working the best for you!

If you start this fun, creative way of planning, I would LOVE to see it!! Share your work and tag me on Instagram @corriemahrphoto so I can follow along! :)

This is the notebook I always order and re-order (it’s my favorite) if you want to check it out: