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Setting Focus and Priorities Through Monthly Planning
Quick Answer
Monthly planning in the Key2Success method means setting a small number of clear priorities at the start of each month, so your daily and weekly tasks stay connected to what actually matters instead of drifting toward whatever feels urgent.
Without a monthly check-in, priorities tend to get replaced by whatever feels urgent that day. This video covers the Key2Success approach to monthly planning, built to keep that from happening.
This is part of the Key2Success Training Series, and I walk through the exact process I use at the start of each month to set focus areas and priorities before diving into weekly and daily planning.
By the end you'll have a simple monthly planning routine you can start using immediately, one that connects directly to the daily planning process covered in the companion video.
Video Transcript
Branden Bodendorfer walks through the Key2Success monthly planning process, covering how to set focus areas and priorities at the start of each month so daily and weekly tasks stay aligned with larger goals.
Monthly planning works best when it bridges your yearly goals and your weekly task list, giving you a checkpoint to reassess priorities before momentum drifts off course. Research on goal-setting from the American Psychological Association shows that periodic review points like a monthly planning session significantly improve follow-through on longer-term objectives.
Monthly Planning Focus and Priorities: Frequently Asked Questions
How many priorities should I set each month?
Branden recommends keeping it to three to five priorities so your focus stays sharp instead of spreading too thin.
How does monthly planning connect to daily planning?
Monthly priorities set the direction, while daily planning breaks those priorities into specific tasks you complete day to day. See the companion daily planning video for that half of the process.
What if my priorities change partway through the month?
That's normal. Revisit your monthly priorities anytime something significant shifts, rather than waiting until the next month starts.
Do I need a specific planner to do monthly planning this way?
No, the process works in any planner or notebook, though the Key2Success Planner has a dedicated monthly planning section built around this method.
How long does monthly planning take?
Most people can complete a monthly planning session in 15 to 30 minutes once they're familiar with the process.
Set Your Monthly Priorities
- List three to five priorities for the current month.
- Connect each priority to one weekly action.
- Schedule a 15-minute session next month to repeat this process.
Build Monthly Planning Into Your System
The Key2Success Planner has a dedicated monthly planning section built around this exact process.
Explore the Key2Success Planner
