Master Planning Strategies to Mentally Reset for Success

In December most of us are trying to finish a gazillion tasks: 

• the ones necessary to have a wonderful Christmas, 
• the regular weekly/daily/monthly tasks, 
• the goals we weren’t able to finish during the year,
• the emails we need to send out before our holiday break,
• Etcetera, etcetera.

When I take a look at my to-do list, there are about 50 tasks that I want to finish (in general), roughly 15 of those, before the end of the year.

How many items are on your end-of-year to-do list? 5? 10? 25? 50?

Probably way more things than you’ll have time to finish.

This blog post is here to help you prioritize your tasks, so that you can finish and accomplish all your important tasks and postpone or cancel the unimportant things.

Which of course, will leave you with more mental clarity and free time to also do fun things and spend time with loved ones.

Real Quick: What is the Time Management Matrix?

Despite the history of who came up with the matrix being debated, this powerful tool is not any less effective.

The time management matrix simplifies the prioritization process of any and all tasks.

Whenever you have multiple things on your to-do list, and you don’t know in what order to take care of them,

or if you don’t have enough time to finish all your tasks,

the time management matrix is an excellent tool to figure out a plan.

Step-by-Step Guide to Master Planning Strategies

Step 1 – Brain dump

It helps if you make a numbered/lettered list, so that you can easily divide the tasks later.

Ps. Doing a brain dump has many positive effects, including helping you mentally reset, reduce stress and improve focus. Learn more about it here.

Step 2 – Importance & Urgency

Step 3 – Do, schedule, delegate, delete

Here’s an example

Important & urgent

• Renewing your almost expired passport before going on a trip
• Fixing the flat tire of the car you need for work.

Important, but not urgent

• Hang out with a friend you want to reconnect with
• Starting a 15-minute daily night time routine to get better sleep
  • PS. find some tips here
• Working out or going for a walk

Urgent, but not important

• Rushing to wrap a last-minute Secret Santa gift 
• Attending an unnecessary last-minute meeting someone else scheduled

Not urgent, not important

• Watching the third holiday movie while your other tasks aren’t finished
• Spending hours scrolling on social media

To master this planning strategy is your secret weapon for a mental reset this December.

It cuts through the holiday chaos, letting you focus on what truly matters and clear space for a purposeful 2026. 

Try it today: brain-dump, prioritize, and reclaim your peace. 

Share your wins with us in the comments or on Instagram. 

Here’s to balanced adventures ahead in the new year!