Planning Session Date: How we Plan an Entire Year
Here’s how to plan a full year and get your family calendar set with a couple’s annual planning meeting for date night.
We are two project managers who can’t help but think of what we need to accomplish and break up the tasks it takes to get there. We often joke our kids will go to therapy one day and say “We couldn’t even go to Disneyland without a spreadsheet!” And while that may be true, we like a good spreadsheet, we’ve also learned life doesn’t always have to be that granular to make the big things you want happen.
But when it comes to a new year, we love to make a new year plan for our family and make a date night out of it!
Here’s how to make conduct a strategic planning session with your family goals and get set for the coming year.
Couple Annual Planning
We’ve learned if we want the family vacations to happen, the projects we’re dreaming of, resolutions, and want to make the most of the year, an annual planning meeting for our family is a big key to making sure it all happens!
And it doesn’t take much to make an annual family plan meeting happen. It’s an easy date you can go out and do, or plan as an at home date night after the kids go to bed.
What is a Family Planning Meeting?
It’s essentially a strategy meeting like a business would have, but accomplished with your family calendar, budget, and objectives in mind. The goal is to get some alignment and perspective on the year ahead and lean on each other as a support system and a team member.
A successful meeting usually creates an action plan after brainstorming a roadmap and strategic objectives for the coming year.
Think of it as a formal time together where you’re working towards desired outcomes to plan goals and schedules.
Tips to Make it a Fun and Productive Date
- Start by setting a formal time.
Some couples take an entire day. Many only need a few hours to sit down and plan. But make sure you set aside a dedicated time and make the planning date happen! - Set yourself up for a successful strategic planning session.
Make sure you’re both in a good mood, not over tired, and ready to share your hopes and dreams as you plan for the year ahead. - Include some fun!
We love to get takeout or go out to eat and plan while we enjoy something delicious together. This shouldn’t feel like something you have to set ground rules and force participation. Make it feel fun and get buy-in with a date night feel.
How to Plan Your Year as a Couple
- Set a Location
We mentioned planning a specific time, but get a place too. This can be at home on the couch. You could go to a coffee shop. Some couples love to book a space at the library or a college classroom with a whiteboard.
Get a calendar.
This can be digital (we love Google Calendar), you can buy a wall calendar, or you can print each month out with a free printable and use it as a rough draft. Having the visual calendar can make all the difference to see how everything will fit together as you plan for the year. - Plan for Collaboration
We all know many couples tackle family tasks by deligating pieces. For example, I do the meal planning and grocery ordering, while my husband takes care of car maintenance (including weekly washes). The logistics and ownership of several responsibilities can be a great way to get more done.
We know sometimes one person does more of the budgeting. One may plan more of the family schedules. And there is nothing wrong with this. However, this is a time for a check-in and time for kind and helpful feedback.
Make sure you’re both committed to making this fun, useful, and give feedback and input with helpful engagement. Treat this with some professionalism and remember you both have valuable insights and ideas.
Topics to Cover During a Planning Meeting
Here’s a rough outline of topics to cover and outline as a rough template for a yearly or quarterly planning meeting.
Current Situation
Do you have something that just isn’t working for your family? Is there something causing stress or strain on your family? Are finances in need of more budgeting? Take a minute during your planning session and gently talk about complexities you need help tackling as a team! This helps you feel like a stakeholder in your lives and family needs.
Budgets
Do you have a current state of the budget? Is there debt you want to pay off? Do you have a 3-5 year plan for finances? And I have to add, are you making sure there’s some budget for family fun, date night, and resources you both may need to live your best lives?
Spend some time talking about finances and your current state of affairs with expenses.
Calendar Events
This is the big one! Start with known events and take time to get them on a digital and/or paper calendar. If we can only get to one thing, we start with a calendar overview. If you already know you have an annual work trip, get it on the calendar. Do you know what week your family reunion is? Get it on your schedule!
Take time to jot down everyone’s birthday. Put any set-in-stone (or mostly set-in-stone) plan on the calendar and get all attendees in the loop.
Plan for Fun
Do you want to go to Disneyland this year? Are you thinking about a family trip somewhere? A planning session is a great time to talk this through! This is the time to plan execution for the things you hope you can make happen. Go through schedules and find a time. Make some short-term and long-term goals to make sure you make the things you want to have happen actually happen.
Block off Time
We made it a goal to go on one date a week no matter what. It’s like our couple vision statement. And as romantic as that sounds, without some strategic thinking and intention scheduling, it doesn’t happen. We literally put a calendar notice every Friday that it’s date night.
We also try to block off a night a week we can take our kids on a family date, and on one-on-one parent outings. They can be simple like going for a drive. Sometimes they’re fun events like taking them to a basketball game. But we try to plan some intentional block off time for each other as a couple, and for our kids to enjoy some quality time too.
Talk About Personal Goals
We often use this time to talk about goals we’ve set individually. We may need each other’s support. Like my husband wants to get a professional certification, and I know that means a night of test prep away from the family. One year I wanted to run a marathon, and that meant he’s in charge of the home and family in the morning.
And even if you don’t need time or awareness, sometimes it’s just nice to have an accountability buddy you can check in with.
Make Your Planning Session Work for You
You can add or subtract anything that doesn’t work for you! In fact, many like to just make a vision board or a couples bucket list. Most people love to use this time just to get on the same page with calendars and schedule time.
However you set up your meeting agenda, we know a little strategic planning process for a date sets you up for better communication and a life you’re intentionally designing together!
Be Sure to Check Out These Family Resources Too:
365 Date Ideas to Do This Year
