How I Use a Tri-Fold Monthly Calendar to Stay Focused, Get Things Done & Stay Motivated

How I Use a Tri-Fold Monthly Calendar to Stay Focused, Get Things Done & Stay Motivated

Hey friends! Today I want to share how I use one of my favorite planner inserts—the tri-fold monthly calendar—to stay on track, get things done, and keep my motivation high.

 

A Mini Dashboard at a Glance

This insert is one of my most-used layouts lately. It works like a mini dashboard where I can see my entire month at a glance—no flipping back and forth between pages. It’s super convenient and helps me stay oriented on what’s coming up.

 

Monthly Goals + Weekly Focus

In the bottom right corner, I write down one or two key goals for the month—big-picture things I want to achieve.
Then on the right-hand side, there’s space for each week. I use this to note the top 1–2 things I want to focus on weekly. It helps me stay aligned with what truly matters, instead of getting lost in the noise.

Daily Tasks, Weekly Flexibility

For tasks that need to happen on a specific day, I write them directly on that date.
But if something is more flexible, I’ll jot it down on Saturday or Sunday, just to make sure it gets done sometime that week. This system keeps things organized while giving me breathing room.

Blue Pen = Follow-Up Mode

When I’m waiting on someone else to do something, I switch to a blue pen to mark it. That’s my little system for tracking follow-ups—things I don’t directly control, but still need to stay on top of. Super helpful for staying proactive without feeling overwhelmed.

Motivation Through Milestones

Besides tasks, I also use this calendar to track achievements and milestones. If something made me feel proud or accomplished, I’ll mark it with a symbol or a sticker. Looking back and seeing that progress really lifts my spirits and reminds me how far I’ve come.

Bonus: A Blank Space for Brain Dumping

On the back side, there’s a large blank area I use to organize thoughts and break down big projects. I’ll outline the steps there, and then move them into the calendar when they’re ready. It keeps the main view clean while still having a solid plan in place.

Make It Yours with Matching Stickers

If you love decorating your planner—we’ve got you covered! We offer matching sticker sets to make planning more fun and personal. Think:

- Number stickers for dates

- Colorful boxes to highlight key days or multi-day tasks

- Dot stickers for wins, notes, or milestones

They’re super easy to use and make it fun to track your journey.

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