Free Printable Day Planner PDF

1. Write it down on a day planner and then act

One of the first things you can do to prepare your mindset for a total shift is to write stuff down. Countless research shows that people who write down things tend to remember them more.

Got a goal that you’ve been struggling to achieve? Write it down. Buy a day planner and take some time every morning (or whenever it’s convenient for you) to write down all your big and small goals.

This practice will re-engage your mind so that you can physically visualize what you need to complete in a day, week, or month. Not only will this save you time, but it will also help you to organize your life a bit better.

This will give you more time for things you might otherwise forget or ignore, such as going to the gym or taking on a new hobby. You will find it easier to focus when you have a clear plan about what needs to be done that day or that week.

The second step after you’ve written down your goals is to act. Feelings come and go, but your goals still need to be achieved, regardless of what you feel. Train your mind to ignore the feelings that usually hold you back.

If you’ve committed to completing a task by a certain time, try to do it regardless of how uninspired, tired or scared you are. Sometimes these feelings are just an excuse and if you practice ignoring these negative emotions frequently, you will find it easier to have the discipline for the things you want to achieve.

2. Get out of your comfort zone

Nothing grows in the comfort zone, it’s safe and warm but there is no development or expansion that you can expect in that place.

Change is scary in any form and the older you get the more likely you’ll become afraid of anything that seems unfamiliar or challenging. But in order to get the best experiences in life, you’ll need to be willing to step out of that comfort zone as often as you can in every area of your life.

Your imagination and aspirations are only as big as what you expose them to. Allow yourself to be exposed to new experiences, people, and things. This will open up the horizon a lot more and give you the, and confidence to tackle just about anything in your life.

A good way to keep this golden tidbit at the forefront of your mind is to use your day planner to draw inspiration. Alongside your to-do list and your schedule, have a space in your day planner where you write down the things in your life that make you happy.

Jot down the things that you’d like to do to add more happiness to your life. Include stuff you’re trying to get rid of or new things you’d like to try. And, every day as you’re browsing through your to-do list you can be reminded of the risks you want to take or the habits you want to get rid of. 

Your journey on this earth is a continuous learning process, and stepping out of your comfort zone is one of the hardest things to do. But the payoff is worth it. You’ll live a happier, more fulfilled life in the long run. Some of the best experiences in life can come from places you never thought you’d be in.

3. Look for an anchor

Whether or not you see yourself as religious, every human being needs something to anchor them. There are many belief systems in the world, and regardless of what religion you practice, one thing is clear; life sometimes sucks.

It is in these tough moments that most of us tend to give up on our goals. This reaction is understandable, especially if something horrific or unfair happens. One way to channel your thoughts in the right direction is to find an anchor that you can hold on to when things go wrong.

So many things can weigh you down in this life and you need all the positive influences you can get. An anchor helps you find balance and gives you hope when you need it the most. It helps you to develop faith and trust that the darkness will not last forever.

This is a great tool to have in your arsenal because negative thoughts are very destructive. If you’ve been struggling to cope with external or internal factors, try to find a positive anchor that will counteract those negative thoughts. It is very important to have an anchor if you want to change your mindset.

4. Start with small goals

We’ve all been there, New Year rolls by and we make big proclamations about what we are going to achieve that year. However, by the end of February, you’ve probably settled back into your usual routine.

According to Statistic Brain, 27% of people abandon their New Year goals by the first week. At the two-week mark, 31% of people have quit and very few people make it to the end of the year.

The solution? Start with small goals. It is tempting to set huge goals when the year is starting, but this method is usually overwhelming. It’s better to set goals that are manageable, that way when you accomplish one thing it boosts your confidence.
Confidence is extremely important when you want to change your mindset. It tricks your mind into becoming more focused and gives you the energy to keep going. That ‘feel-good’ feeling you get from crushing your small goals is a great motivator.

So, avoid setting yourself up for failure and take small steps before you tackle the big goals. This method can work for anything in your life, whether it's business or personal.

5. Choose your words wisely

We’ve already mentioned how powerful your thoughts are, but have you ever considered the power your words hold?

How many times have you felt completely crushed by words that someone spoke to you? The same principle applies when it comes to words that come out of your mouth about your life. Many studies have shown just how much the words we speak to ourselves affect our behavior. Printable Daily Planner

To ensure that every aspect of your life aligns with your goals and aspirations, guard your words carefully. Avoid speaking things that do not reflect who you want to be, where you want to go, and what you want to accomplish.

A practical way to incorporate this into your life is to speak affirming words to yourself as often as you can. Sure, words cannot magically make everything right in your life, but they do change the way your mind processes the world around you.

Simply put, you need to try to be a glass-half-full type of person all the time. Always look for the positive in any situation.

6. Incorporate personal and family time into your day planner

Taking care of yourself and spending time with your family is extremely important for your mental well-being. Human beings are social creatures and we thrive when we are in constant communication with other people.

Don't believe us? Think about how frustrating it felt last year when the entire world shut down and we couldn’t physically touch or see each other? 2020 was a pretty crazy year and a lot of people suffered from isolation.

When we spend a lot of time working or away from the people that we love or enjoy being around, it can have negative consequences. One way to live a better life is to always carve out time for personal relationships. This includes your relationship with yourself.

Depression, stress, and anxiety are a by-product of the world we live in. Self-care is an important tool that you should use to balance off these negatives. A healthy work-life balance has to be your top priority.

Slow down and focus on the good things you have going on from time to time because we tend to live our lives on auto-pilot. Life can get monotonous, so take time to smell the roses. Stop by your local coffee shop and just savor the atmosphere, you’ll be amazed at the things you see that you’d normally overlook.

Take a walk during your lunch break or schedule a staycation at home. This downtime will certainly do wonders for your soul and for your mind. We all need a recharge as often as possible.

7. Get rid of excuses and hold yourself accountable

This is probably the hardest step to take on our list. No one likes to hold themselves accountable. It’s uncomfortable and can sometimes have a negative effect on your mental well-being.

Excuses have helped no one to achieve greatness. You’ll need to train your mind to become accustomed to addressing uncomfortable truths about what is really holding you back. Excuses act as a barrier between you and the person you want to become. The longer you hold on to these excuses, the more frustrated and stuck you’ll feel.

If, for example, you’ve been struggling financially for a while now, you’ll need to evaluate and be accountable for your money habits. Your finances are a big part of your life, you cannot afford to be reckless. Use a day planner to track your expenses and your income, and to set your financial goals. For many people, money is a big problem in their lives. You need to stop the excuses and hold yourself accountable.

Try to identify the excuses you make in whichever area of your life you are struggling with. That is the first step in figuring out how you can combat these excuses. Are you spending too much time on social media? Do you watch too much TV? Whatever your weakness is, you’ll need to commit yourself to fight it. Printable Day Planner

The great thing is that once you find a way to get your mind over this roadblock, you’ll feel like a brand new person.


Final Thoughts

Changing the way you think is hard work, it’s never going to be an easy road for anyone. Surround yourself with people with whom you feel comfortable sharing your struggles. Also, look for people whose mindset you admire and spend as much time as you can with them. You’ll notice that your outlook on life will change immensely.

Everyone is striving for a better life but achieving better for yourself will take a lot of inward work. Think of it as a journey and not an ultimate destination because no individual can ever say they don't experience failure or negative thoughts and emotions.

The experience is about getting to know who you are intimately and creating oneness with all parts of yourself. This will help you navigate past the bad thoughts that hold you back from becoming a better version of yourself.