Howdy ho! Welcome back to our blog, y'all. One of the most frequently asked questions we get is how we - the Laurel Denise Team - use our planners. Well friends, you ask and we answer. We took some time on our YouTube Channel to dive into Lolly, Mabby, and Nancy's monthly and weekly layouts and weekly set up. Check out the videos for more visuals, but here's a closer look :)

Lolly’s step-by-step (Lolly does this on Sunday afternoons so that her girls can see her doing the things and she has easier access to her husband to have calendar chats.)

1. First, I look at the things that didn’t get done last week. If they are still important, I either take care of them right then, put them into the week ahead, or find a realistic time to get them done.
2. I reference my monthly calendar filled with marketing plans to see what’s coming up that week that we haven’t prepped for or talked about so that I can be sure to touch base on it on Monday with the team.
3. Confirm that my monthly marketing calendar has the same information as our online marketing calendar system.
4. Check my email for school events for my girls and social events we’ve planned.
5. Husband check-in - to double check if he has any plans that I can note.
6. Work out plan. Y’all know I love my fitness, so that has to be time blocked into the week ahead somehow. Sometimes, I put it in pencil because it really can change - especially during summer months!
7. Meal plan. I’m a terrible meal planner. You know it, I know it, we all know it. But when I do have a plan, I feel much better about it. Right now, I jot a loose meal plan in my calendar after I see the reality of our week ahead. This is usually the point when I press “go” on our grocery pick up order as well.
8. I check out my “follow up” and “delegated” lists to see if I need to do any check-ins on Monday for requests that are still open and incomplete.

Mabby’s step-by-step (Mabby does this on Sundays while she has her kitchen meetings with her kids and her husband is setting up meals and vitamins for the week.)

1. Stickering! I like to sticker my entire planner for the month at the end of the previous month for ease of planning when the time comes.
2. I look at my digital calendar and add anything new to my weekly spread and months. Usually these things are appointments, etc. that I've noted in my phone for easy access as I'm out an about.
3. I then check-in with my family for our weekly “kitchen talks” and discuseed priorities to the week ahead if needed.
4. This is usually the best time to talk about meals as well. Then I can add in meals given the reality of each day of the week ahead.
5. Lastly, I look back at tasks from the previous week that didn’t get done and move them to the current week. Circling the tasks that I know will need to be postponed is so helpful!

Nancy’s step-by-step (Nancy usually does this on Monday morning when the office is quiet.)

1. Pull out my planner, Google Calendar, and our online marketing calendar system so that everything is in view at once.
2. Fill in appointments from my digital calendar, online marketing calendar, and planner’s monthly calendar into my week for personal and work tasks.
3. Address my PIP (dashboard of ongoing projects and frequently needed checklists) and see if I can fill in any open gaps with the long term projects/goals, weekly and monthly checklists that I hold on my PIP.
4. Highlight priorities for each day and add stickers for fun :)
5. Based off of my tasks and schedule, I meal plan. This involves husband consults and grocery store coordination. 
6. Plan who is walking Fred (our beloved pup) each day and when we can go to the gym together.
7. Updated shared grocery list note.

Thanks for reading! We'd love if you'd send us an email (hello@laureldenise.com) if you have any favorite ways you set up your planner weekly!

'Til next time, loves
xo Team LD