Christmas season is here! In our household we are well into planning the new year. We tend to be forward thinkers and sometimes we struggle to stay in the present.

Steve loves to make goals. Every year he works through what he wants to accomplish, what he did accomplish and what he needs to do differently. I, on the other hand, do not.

I don’t do goals. I’m not good at them. The thought of goal planning gives me a pit in my stomach. I feel like I’m just setting myself up for failure and failing is my worst nightmare.

If you read last week’s post, you know that I’ve recently discovered the Hope Planner. I’ve been using planners for years to help me keep track of work tasks, home things and everyday reminders. They help me to stay focused and be more productive.

Every year in October I start looking for my next planner. Most years it’s an update to the version I used before, but occasionally I decide to try something new.

When I received the Hope Planner from Hopefuel, I thought I’d give it a shot in the new year. It’s full of reminders and space to write so I’m excited to use it and share more with you as I integrate it into my routine.

Even though I hate goal planning, I realize that if I’m not intentional about something, it doesn’t happen. This is true in every aspect of my life.

If I don’t intentionally set aside time to play with my daughter, I don’t do it. If I don’t set time for rest, I get overwhelmed. If I don’t prioritize my marriage, it begins to disintegrate. If I don’t set intentional time aside to spend time in prayer and in my Bible, my faith suffers.

Last year I decided I needed to reframe my thinking and instead of pressuring myself to plan goals, I decided to set some intentions for myself (which Steve laughs at and says, “oh like goals!”).

Having intentions allows me space to prioritize the things in my life. And I’m hopeful that the Hope planner will help me to do that.

What kind of person are you? Do you like to set goals or wing it?

I know it seems early, but there are only a few weeks left of 2021, and if you don’t start planning now, you’ll already be behind on January 1. If you struggle with goals like I do, try reframing your thinking so that you can accomplish something this next year!