How I Use 3 Simple Tools to Keep My Life and Business Running Smoothly
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Like most people, Fridays are my absolute FAVORITE day of the week…
But, probably not why you think it is.
Yes, I do work a 4-day work week, so Friday is typically my “day off.” But, that “day off” serves a very important part of my week… and how I prep for the weekend and the week ahead.
Because every Friday, I sit down to reset… not just my house or inbox, but my mind.
When you’re managing a business AND a household, you just can’t afford to fly by the seat of your pants every week. You need a SYSTEM that helps you stay focused without overcomplicating things.
That’s where my weekly planning routine comes in. It’s simple, flexible, and uses tools I already rely on: my Google Calendar, my Slay Your Schedule™ Planner, and my Asana task manager. This is the same system I walk through every week.
So, let’s break down exactly how I plan my week in 30 minutes or less.
Why Planning Often Feels Like a Chore (And How to Fix It)
Most of the students I work with in Slay Your Schedule™ fall in one of two categories:
1. They’re overcomplicating their planning by using too many tools, copying someone else’s system, or creating something so complicated that they can’t stick with it.
OR…
2. They’re not planning AT all because they think they need more flexibility.
The reason I feel so strongly about planning and having structure is because…
STRUCTURE CREATES FREEDOM.
But, you don’t need a million tools or 15 different calendars (unless you’re like me and just LOVE a calendar).
All you need are 3 tools, each serving a specific purpose:
A calendar (I prefer this to be digital so that you can have it with you on your phone 24/7)
A planner (this can be paper or digital)
A task management system
When used together, these tools help me stay organized and on top of everything that needs to happen in my life and business… or burning myself out.
My Weekly Planning Routine
I do my planning on Fridays. Fridays are my reset days – errands, groceries, cleaning, and mapping out the week ahead. That way, I head into the weekend and new week knowing exactly what I’m up against so that I can spend my weekend doing what I want (which is relaxing as much as possible).
Step 1: Start With the Calendar
I always begin with my Google Calendar. This gives me a zoomed-out view of what’s already on the schedule… appointments, meetings, school events, anything with a fixed time.
I scan the week ahead and block time accordingly: work hours, personal commitments, errands, anything that needs to be protected on the calendar. I also check in with my husband, since he doesn’t use a digital calendar, and we make sure our plans are in sync.
This step isn’t about squeezing in more… it’s about making space for what’s already there.
Step 2: Transfer to Paper for Clarity
Once my calendar is blocked, I turn to my Slay Your Schedule™ Planner. This is where everything becomes real.
I write out my schedule in the weekly spread – appointments, calls, priorities, reminders. There’s something about putting pen to paper that helps me visualize the flow of my week and remember what matters most.
It also helps me slow down. On paper, it’s easier to see if I’m trying to do too much… or if I have room for something new. Some weeks are just too full that I know I won’t have as much time to really work as I would like to.
I created this planner because I needed something that had space for EVERYTHING: my weekly plans, my to-do list, and my priorities. I craved flexibility but knew I also needed structure, and this planner does exactly that.
The Slay Your Schedule™ Planner keeps my business growing, my schedule manageable, and my brain out of chaos mode.
Step 3: Check the Task Manager
Next, I open Asana and look at what’s coming up for the week: project deadlines, recurring tasks, and anything I added during the week but haven’t scheduled yet.
This is my chance to brain dump. I pull everything into view, then assign tasks to specific days in my planner. If I see something from last week that didn’t get done, I either move it forward or re-prioritize it altogether.
Asana holds the master list, but my planner holds the plan.
Step 4: Choose My Top 3 Priorities
With my time and tasks mapped out, I choose my Top 3 priorities for the week. These aren’t just the biggest or most urgent tasks – they’re the things that, if completed, will make me feel like the week was a win.
This gives me direction. Even if life gets busy (and it usually does), I have a clear focus for the week.
You don’t need another app or a fancy, aesthetic Notion board.
When your planner, calendar, and task manager all do their job – and nothing more – everything gets simpler. You start the week with clarity. You make progress that feels intentional. And you stop carrying your to-do list around in your head.
So if you’re stuck in planning overwhelm, try this approach.
