How to Plan Your Year with Intention

Create a meaningful, purpose-driven year aligned with your deepest values and priorities

What is Intentional Planning?

Intentional planning means consciously choosing how you want to live rather than reacting to circumstances. It's the difference between drifting through life and designing it deliberately. When you plan with intention, every goal, commitment, and decision aligns with your core values and desired outcomes.

Benefits of Intentional Planning

Greater sense of purpose and direction
Less stress from overcommitment
More time for what truly matters
Alignment between actions and values
Increased satisfaction and fulfillment
Better decision-making framework

Step 1: Clarify Your Values

Identify Core Values

Values Identification Exercise

Review this list and circle 5-7 that resonate most deeply:

Achievement, Adventure, Authenticity, Balance, Compassion
Contribution, Courage, Creativity, Family, Freedom
Growth, Health, Honesty, Impact, Independence
Innovation, Integrity, Joy, Knowledge, Leadership
Learning, Love, Loyalty, Peace, Purpose
Security, Service, Simplicity, Spirituality, Wisdom

Next: Narrow to top 3-5 non-negotiable values

Define What Each Value Means

For each core value, write:

What this value means to you specifically
How you want to embody it this year
What behaviors demonstrate this value
What would violate this value

Step 2: Envision Your Ideal Year

Future Self Visualization

December 31 Exercise

Close your eyes and imagine yourself on December 31 of next year...

What have you accomplished?
How do you feel about the year?
What relationships have deepened?
What habits have you built?
What are you most proud of?
How have you grown?
What experiences stand out?

Write it out: Describe your ideal year-end in present tense, as if it already happened

Life Area Vision

For each major life area, describe what success looks like:

Career: What does professional success look like?
Financial: What is your financial position?
Health: How do you feel physically and mentally?
Relationships: What do your key relationships look like?
Personal: What personal growth have you achieved?
Lifestyle: How do you spend your free time?

Step 3: Set Intention-Based Goals

From Values to Goals

Value: Health

Intention: Prioritize physical wellbeing

Goals:

Exercise 4x weekly
Prepare healthy meals 5 days/week
Sleep 7-8 hours nightly

Value: Family

Intention: Deepen family connections

Goals:

Weekly family dinners
Monthly date nights with spouse
Quarterly extended family gatherings

Value: Growth

Intention: Expand capabilities

Goals:

Read 52 books
Complete certification program
Learn new language basics

Step 4: Design Your Ideal Week

Weekly Template Planning

Create a template for how you want typical weeks to flow:

Ideal Week Components

Work blocks: Core working hours
Deep work: 2-4 hours of focused work
Exercise: 4-5 workout sessions
Family time: Evenings and weekends
Learning: 30-60 minutes daily
Social: 1-2 social activities
Hobbies: 2-3 hours personal interests
Rest: 1-2 recovery activities

Step 5: Plan Seasons and Quarters

Quarterly Focus Areas

Different seasons of year lend themselves to different priorities:

Q1 (Jan-Mar)

Theme: Foundation & Momentum

Build keystone habits
Set systems in place
Financial planning
Winter fitness routine

Q2 (Apr-Jun)

Theme: Growth & Expansion

Tackle major projects
Skill development
Spring activities
Outdoor adventures

Q3 (Jul-Sep)

Theme: Experience & Connection

Family vacations
Social gatherings
Summer activities
Relationship focus

Q4 (Oct-Dec)

Theme: Completion & Reflection

Finish year-end goals
Holiday traditions
Annual review
Next year planning

Step 6: Build Intentional Rituals

Daily Rituals

Morning routine: Set tone for day (meditation, exercise, journaling)
Evening routine: Wind down and reflect
Work rituals: Start and end work intentionally
Meal rituals: Mindful eating, family meals

Weekly Rituals

Weekly review: Reflect on past week, plan next week
Sabbath/rest day: One day for restoration
Date night: Regular relationship investment
Learning time: Dedicated growth hours

Monthly Rituals

Goal review: Assess monthly progress
Budget review: Financial check-in
Social gathering: Host or attend event
Adventure: Try something new

Step 7: Create Boundary Systems

Saying No to Say Yes

Protect Your Priorities

Every yes to something unimportant is a no to something that matters.

Boundaries to set:

Work hours (no email after 7pm)
Social commitments (max 2 per week)
Screen time (no phone first hour of day)
Volunteer work (limited to valued causes)
Meeting attendance (require clear agenda and purpose)

Decision-Making Filter

Before committing to anything new, ask:

Does this align with my core values?
Does this support my goals for the year?
What will I have to give up to say yes?
Is this the best use of my limited time?
Am I excited about this or feeling obligated?

Step 8: Plan Milestone Experiences

Anchor Your Year with Meaning

Schedule significant experiences throughout the year:

Types of Milestone Experiences

Adventure: Travel, try new activity, take risk
Learning: Attend workshop, conference, retreat
Connection: Family reunion, friend trip, couples weekend
Celebration: Birthday, anniversary, achievement party
Service: Volunteer trip, community project
Rest: Vacation, sabbatical, digital detox

Schedule 1-2 per quarter to create memorable year

Step 9: Build Accountability

Accountability Structures

Partner: Weekly check-in with accountability buddy
Group: Monthly mastermind or support circle
Coach: Professional guidance and challenge
Public: Share intentions with community
Tracking: Visual progress system

Regular Review Schedule

Daily: 5-minute morning intention setting
Weekly: 30-minute week review and planning
Monthly: 1-hour progress assessment
Quarterly: Half-day strategic review

Intentional Planning Template

Your Intentional Year Plan

Core Values (Top 3-5):

1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________

Year Theme/Word: _________________

Vision Statement:

_________________________________________________

Top 3 Focus Areas:

1. _________________________________
2. _________________________________
3. _________________________________

Key Habits to Build:

☐ _________________________________
☐ _________________________________
☐ _________________________________

Boundaries to Set:

_________________________________
_________________________________

Milestone Experiences Planned:

Q1: _________________________________
Q2: _________________________________
Q3: _________________________________
Q4: _________________________________

Living with Intention

Intentional planning transforms your year from a series of random events into a purposeful journey. By clarifying values, envisioning outcomes, setting aligned goals, and building supporting systems, you create a year that reflects who you want to become. Plan with intention, and live with purpose.