It’s finally Erin Condren planner setup time! For 2023 I am using an Erin Condren monthly planner in Harmony Colorful as my main planner. Learn tips for Erin Condren planner setup including making a year at a glance spread and the 12 boxes goals dashboard.

Erin Condren Planner Setup Season
Erin Condren planner setup season is so much fun for me. I was also the kid that loved back to school season. Shopping for supplies and setting up my binders and folders and pencil pouch was always so much fun.
New planner season is kind of like that, but for adults! It’s the little things in life, you know?
Erin Condren Monthly Planner
I love the Erin Condren monthly planner. It is kind of like a hybrid between a dated planner and a bullet journal for me. I love the Erin Condren designs and colors, but I also love that I can draw out my own weekly layouts on the notes pages.
There are 10 lined notes pages coiled into each month. That’s 5 sheets front and back.
Creating a Year-at-a-Glance
The first step in an Erin Condren planner setup is to create a comprehensive year-at-a-glance view. This overview allows you to visualize important dates, deadlines, and events throughout the year. To create this, I combined an existing planner page with a printable school calendar for my son. This consolidated view provides a clear picture of the year ahead, helping me plan and prioritize effectively.

Monthly Goals and Tracking
To keep track of my monthly goals and habits, I’ve incorporated a half-sheet tracker from Planner Kate. This tracker allows me to:
- Visualize Goals: Break down larger goals into smaller, actionable steps.
- Track Progress: Monitor my progress towards monthly and quarterly goals.
- Maintain Habits: Use checkboxes to track daily or weekly habits.
By customizing the tracker with specific categories, I can tailor it to my unique needs and preferences.

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Weekly Planning and To-Do Lists
Effective weekly planning is essential for staying organized and productive. I’ve adopted a flexible approach using sticky notes and a dedicated section in my planner. This method allows me to:
- Prioritize Tasks: Identify and focus on the most important tasks.
- Adapt to Changes: Easily adjust my plans as priorities shift.
- Visualize Progress: Use sticky notes to physically move tasks from one day to another, providing a visual representation of progress.
Additional Tips for a Personalized Planner Setup:
- Sticky Note Magic: Utilize sticky notes of various sizes and colors to track appointments, deadlines, and reminders.
- Customizable Dashboard: Design a personalized dashboard using printable stickers, washi tape, and handwritten notes.
- Forward Planning: Use the forward planning section to jot down ideas and potential plans for future months.
- Mindful Sticker Usage: Select stickers that complement your planner’s aesthetic and enhance its functionality. Use them sparingly to avoid clutter.
- Digital Integration: Consider using digital tools like Google Calendar or Notion to supplement your paper planner.
- Regular Review and Adjustment: Regularly review your planner to ensure it’s working for you. Make adjustments as needed to optimize its effectiveness.
By following these tips and customizing your planner to your specific needs, you can create a powerful tool for productivity and organization.
Remember, the key to a successful planner setup is to find a system that works for you. Experiment with different methods and don’t be afraid to adjust your approach as needed.
Functional Planner Setup Videos
If you love planner setup videos, I have a ton on my YouTube channel! It’s so much fun to plan along with a video. It also helps to keep you motivated to finish it all up. And there are always great new ideas for how to use the planner.
Check out my Erin Condren planner setup playlist or watch the Erin Condren planner setup video

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Which planner are you using this year? Have you set it up yet?