Beyond the Calendar: 30+ Ideas to Personalize Your Planning Philosophy
If the idea of creating a custom planner has been swirling around in your head, you probably already know who you’re creating it FOR.
This is your ideal customer—the person you already speak to and serve through the work you do in your business.
But have you thought about what that person really needs in a planner . . . beyond a calendar, that is?
What exactly will set your planner apart from what you can find on the shelf at Target?
What will not only help it stand out in the market, but also serve your ideal customer on a deep, personal level?
Incorporating planner sections—unique trackers, guides, planners, and more that are designed to accomplish a specific goal or purpose—is a great way to personalize your planning philosophy and create a unique product that speaks directly to your target audience.
And the possibilities are endless.
Below, I’m sharing over 30 ideas for sections you can incorporate in your planner design to create an even more intuitive and personalized planning experience for your ideal customer.
A note on full-page format vs. a designated section on your planning page:
There is no right or wrong way in HOW you choose to incorporate your various planner sections. The important thing to keep in mind is to create a layout and structure that supports your ideal customer — the end user of your planner. When you lead with the end user in mind, your priority will be on giving them the best experience possible.
30+ Planner Sections, Trackers + Ideas You’ll Love
01. Personal Development
Probably the most common type of planner section you’ll find in a planner — whether it’s off the shelf at your favorite store or built into a niche planner you LOVE — is something in the theme of personal development.
Personal development content complements general planning and organization seamlessly and intuitively, making it a no-brainer add if you’re considering other ways to expand your planning philosophy. Whether built in as a full page layout or a small section in the daily or weekly layout, personal development additions are an easy and fun way to support your ideal customer.
Personal development planner section ideas:
Gratitude
Goal planning
Self care
Mood tracking
Habit tracking
02. Health + Wellness
If your brand or planner has any aim on wellness or holistic living, you may love the idea of incorporating health and wellness planner sections into your design.
Not sure you want to design a full layout or section within health and wellness, but love the thematic addition in a smaller way? Consider adding quotes or tips to your tabbed pages, monthly layouts, or elsewhere for a small dose of wellness-inspired motivation.
Health and wellness planner section ideas:
Fitness
Meal planning
Mental health
Recipes
Meditation
03. Finance
A more practical, organize-all-the-things type of planning philosophy might include planning sections in the finance category.
Financial planning is an essential part of living an organized life, and even if you aren’t creating a financial PLANNER per se, you might want to include financial components that serve your customer in a unique way. Think about your ideal customer: what life stage are they in? What do they need to be keeping track of or paying attention to from a financial standpoint?
Financial planner section ideas:
Budgeting
Expense tracking
Financial goal planning
Debt payoff
Income tracker
04. Business
The business category could be it’s own post, but here we go: if you’re creating a planner that caters to business owners, your possibilities for included planning sections and trackers are endless.
Think about all the things your ideal customer needs to track, think about, and plan for on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. These are ALL great ideas for elevating your planner design to better serve your customer. (The bigger issue may be narrowing down your ideas so your planner is a comfortable size for your customer use!)
Business planner section ideas:
Sales + expenses
Marketing
Goals
Networking
Launches
05. Career
If your end user is more likely to be on the career path, you can pinpoint trackers and planning sections that help keep them organized and on track with their career goals and plans.
Try thinking of it from this approach: at this point in your ideal customer’s journey, what are they aspiring to? What does their work life look like? Are they building into the next step or looking to shift gears? What’s most important to them in this season?
Career planner section ideas:
Project planning
Contacts + networking
Time tracking + productivity
Income goals
5-year plan
06. Home Life
Last, but FULL of possibilities and certainly not least, is the incorporation of home-life-related sections into your planning philosophy.
This category is highly relevant to many planner users, no matter their age, career, etc. And the possibilities of what to include within this section are so vast, you can truly up-level your end user’s experience with some easy and fun additions in this category.
Home life planner section ideas:
Family activities + scheduling
Cleaning schedule
Decluttering planner
Moving tracker
Birthdays + anniversaries
Books to read
Movies to watch
Home projects
Faith-inspired planning
Remember, no matter which planner sections you choose to include in your planner or HOW you incorporate them, the goal is to support your ideal customer in the simplest, least overwhelming way possible.
Let go of the idea that you must include ALL THE THINGS, and instead, focus on what tools will be the most impactful. This is the most important perspective to remember as you’re creating a winning layout and planning philosophy.
Have you been feeling inspired and ready to kick off the design process for your own custom planner?
I created a guide featuring 5 things your day planner MUST include . . . and it’s available now at the link below.