Desire Map Planners are here!

If you’ve been following my world for a while, you know that I’m really into planning. Like REALLY into it. Every part of my day is highly scheduled. This allows me to remain hyper-focused on my goals and as prolific as can be.

This is important because I have a lot of balls in the air. I run two businesses and a very active blog. Plus, I have a book coming out (November 1st, chea!). And let’s not forget family, household duties, and two needy cats.

I need a plan or nothing gets done well (or at all).

Although digital is the preferred method for many modern folk, I’m a pen and paper girl. There is something about writing it down that is so satisfying. Plus, I find, at least for me, things stick better when I write by hand. I use a Filofax for keeping track of client appointments but I also have another planner that I use for managing all the other irons in my big ole fire of a life. I’ve worked with a variety of different planners for that – and this year, I used Danielle LaPorte’s Desire Map Planner (affiliate link).

Here’s my experience:

My ritual.

Every Sunday, I have a little ritual that goes something like this: I gather my notebooks, pens, a nice glass of wine, and a candle. Oh – and stickers! I’m all about stickers, peeps. I sit down and plot out my week on my planner – and then I decorate it. Why decorate? It’s because I like to have something fun to look at every day. Here’s my set up:

And here’s the start of last week’s planning in my Desire Map Planner:

Now, here’s why I’m all up in this planner: this is no ordinary planner. Nope – this one is for anyone who is looking to take a more soulful approach to their agenda. People like me.

I chose the weekly planner over the daily one because I like to have my week laid out in front of me just like the image above. Plus, I like to look at the bigger picture for the week – I can sort out the daily stuff as needed once I have an idea of what my week looks like.

What I love about this planner are the prompts. Each week, I take a minute to think about how I want to feel, what I need to do, what I’m grateful for, what needs to be changed, and more. The statement: “What will I do to feel the way I want to feel” inspires me to dig deep into creating an action plan that is aligned with my goals and the way I want to feel. Little statements at the bottom of each page are like little bonus wisdom nuggets, motivating me to stay positive as I work through my week.

Each Sunday, I looked forward to my weekly check-in. As I scribbled notes on the pages and dotted Hello Kitty stickers here and there, I found myself becoming not only more organized but more intentional.

That’s why I fell in love. Because intentional is how I want to operate. The Desire Map Planner created the perfect way to do just that.

Which is why I’m a proud affiliate for the Desire Map Planner. I’ve seen the good it has done in my life and I want you to experience the same. You can click on my affiliate link if you’d like right here: Desire Map Planner. I will get a small commission for each one that is sold through my site. Not down with that? No biggie – just head to Danielle’s site sans the link and click on shop. It will take you right there.

This year, the planner is even better than ever. Artist Marta Spendowska created two of the covers (my favorite is the green one at the top of this post) and there is also a plain charcoal cover as well. And, I’m delighted to say: I’m the woman behind the astro-dates this year. As many of you know, I love astrology. I use it to plan EVERYTHING. I pay close attention to the phases of the Moon, eclipses and pesky ole Mercury retrograde. This astro-awareness helps me to work with the cosmos instead of fighting it. When you know those simple astro-dates, you can max out your world or business like a boss! A short guide to astrology for planning stuff:

Astrology for planning

New Moons and the two weeks that follow are perfect for starting something new, whether that be a relationship, a job, a diet, writing that novel you’ve been talking about, or even a whole new chapter of your life! Think: fresh start, new beginning, change for the better.
Full Moons and the two weeks that follow are about letting go. Cut out that toxic lover, quit that draining job, give up your three pack a day cigarette habit, and release anything that is old, outworn, or annoying (that crappy old sweater taking up space in your closet – begone!) It’s also perfect for forgiveness work. What healing needs to be done?
Eclipses signal major change is afoot! Pay attention to these sensitive days. Clear your closets, both literal and figurative. Heal, clean, release, be open – and look for omens + signs from the Universe.
Mercury retrograde can bring delays with travel, miscommunication, tech woes and lots of aggravation. During this phase, slow down, choose your words with care, back up your tech, avoid buying new tech or gadgets, be careful signing contracts, drive with care, and prepare for possible delays. And above all, be nice. We’re all a bit on edge during this transit – a little kindness goes a long way.
Venus retrograde signals issues with relationships – not just love but business and family as well. Be patient with all partnerships during this phase. If there are problems, focus on healing as much as you can.
Mars retrograde (thankfully, we have none in 2017) is another time that bears watching. During a Mars retrograde, it is always best to keep your anger in check. This is also not a good period for starting a new business, launching a new product, or getting surgery. We had one hell of a wonky Mars retrograde in 2016 – I was not sad to see that one hit the road! Buh-bye!

If you’re ready to plan out 2017 with mindfulness and a bit of astro-knowledge, put your order in for the Desire Map Planner. And then: watch magic unfold in your life.

Blessings,

Theresa