Mal Paper Daily Goal Setter Planner: Review
It is said that those who fail to plan, plan to fail and, whilst I must admit to wandering off the path occasionally, throughout my life I have generally been a goal setter, rather than a drifter. I am also, a huge fan of stationery and, in particular, planners. There is something almost cathartic about taking your pen (yes pen!) to a brand new planner and writing down your hopes and dreams. This beautiful Daily Goal Setter planner from Mal Paper is a great place to do just that.
I have to confess that, even today, I find online calendars to be uninspiring and unremittingly dull. There is truly no romance in the Google Calendar whereas there is in the act of writing. Even the Husband who works in the field of technology still uses a notebook to record ideas and solutions to tricky coding dilemmas.
There is, though, a definite art to goal setting and the Mal Planner takes you through what is required in its early pages. Whilst the SMART goals method is used and you are asked to identify short, medium and longer term goals, the approach used is closer to a values-led one – by which I mean it’s not just about getting things done, it’s about finding those goals which resonate with you as a person.
After all, have you ever succeeded at a goal which didn’t truly align with your core beliefs? Think about it. I’ll bet you’ve tried. Perhaps you are even trying now to succeed at something someone else thought you should do.
How many of us started off on wrong career track to please a parent? How many of us kow-towed to tradition because “that’s the way it’s always been done”?
Whether you’re studying something you hate, reading something that bores you witless or are holidaying in a place which is the death of joy to you then I highly recommend you start by discovering your values – what matters most to you- and then setting a goal.
If there was one amendment I would make to the Mal Planner, it would be to add some pages to work on identifying your values.
I am also sure that you have read about the power of gratitude – especially if you are a fan of the Law of Attraction or, another current hot topic, manifestation. The Mal Daily Goal Setter planner incorporates not only 3 things to be grateful for every day but also has space for your affirmations.
Many Law of Attraction (LOA) fans are advocates of the saying that “You’ll See It When You Believe It” which is the reverse of what I heard for years as a child. Whether you think all this is a little ‘woo-woo’ or not, there is logic in the idea that to become someone new we must look forward, not backwards.
In the front pages of this planner you’ll find a suggested monthly and weekly routine, as well as a morning and evening routine which incorporates not only gratitude and affirmations but allows you to rate your day and identify any great things that happened.
This is combined with a solid, practical explanation of goal setting and how to prioritise your tasks using the ABCDE method where A has to be done and E is something that could be done if you have the time.
The weekly and monthly routines are very much about reviewing your progress and acknowledging your successes.
The Daily Goal Setter planner lasts for 6 months and is undated. Mine has a beautiful pink faux leather cover with gold lettering and dove grey ribbon page markers. There is a small document holder on the back cover too. Black and grey planners are also available.
The pages are 100 gsm ivory paper and it is a solid, hardbacked book which will last long after its pages have been filled. At £20.95, it is very reasonably priced indeed.
If you are looking for a planner which will help you to not only declutter your mind but also help you to create goals which align with business and spiritual goals, then this one is worth looking at. You can find a more in-depth description of how to use the Daily Goal Setting planner here.
The Mal Daily Goal Setting Planner would make a beautiful gift too.
I have one Mal Daily Goal Setting planner to give away exactly as described above (undated, colour pink). Simply enter via the GLEAM widget below. The usual terms and conditions apply which can be found on my giveaways page.
The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 13 September.
Good luck.
Lack of motivation and being exhausted.
Yes, I do! I really struggle with giving myself a deadline so this would really help me discipline myself.
Getting distracted by another task
I’m my own worst enemy. If I write lists then I focus and I get it done, if not then theres no hope. I think I can keep it all my head but I can’t x
I do struggle to keep to my goals, mainly because I’m scared! I’m absolutely terrified to make changes in my life because I’m worried about failure
I’m forever struggling! I always manage to get things done one way or another but a bit of forward planning is always good x
My daughter who’s just turned 21 would absolutely adore this thank everyone and so much
Organisation and lack of will power are always my downfall
Lack of focus and getting distracted from tasks holds me back. I have a very short attention span!
I need to get more organised!! And stop looking at social media
I struggle with achieving my goals because of family commitments and work schedules.
Procrastination and time restraints hold me back!
No, I don’t struggle.
Yes I do, not having enough time in the day. I need to organise my time more so this would be perfect. Writing goals and lists down always makes me more likely to achieve them
I commented on blog :- 6 Simple Ways to bring Sunshine Indoors this Summer.
Time constraints. Commitments. Unexpected events / circumstances. Conflicting information. Disturbances. Noise. Distractions. Interruptions.
Organisers / planners can be helpful. As can kindness, courtesy, peace, quiet, etc. So quiet area at home, in library, waiting area / room is beneficial.
Procrastination ….always tomorrow with me. Lack of willpower and confidence hold me back.
Yes I always try to reach them but I don’t reach them because of resource’s to make it happen.
I think it is lac of time that is my problem but I knoe that when I list the things I want to get done I seem to do much better!
I dont follow my dreams, because i talk myself out of things, make excuses why i cant do things, i suppose its down to confidence
I struggle when im unorganised! i love a good list!
I am about to embark on a university degree as a mature student. I struggle with time management and this looks amazing to assist with this.
At times, but i have a very supportive family.
I have small goals, but big for me, they include getting my family out on holiday together, we have started a long journey together, I am chronically ill, which hit very suddenly, so my four little ones ( ages 4, 7, 8 and 9) are all now young carers and the young carers charity are now supporting them, so we can move on with things, another goal is to collect them from school again, in the last few years I ve been unable to leave the house.
Yes I do due to my health & crohnic fatigue but I do find if I write them down it’s easier to re-focus.
the only thing that stops me acheiving my goals is moolah!!! i want to travel sooo much
I only struggle because I struggle to keep track of everything I have to do
I do struggle because everything else life throws at me takes priority
I do sometimes struggle. I procrastinate and put things off and I know I need to get better at goal setting and motivating myself!
Yes, I do struggle. I have a single fundamental belief that underpins all my efforts and decisions that I will fail. It becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy.
It’s hard to organise work tasks from home life tasks!
A lack of self belief and confidence makes me doubt I can achieve some goals
this would be for my 19 year old Daughter who has a BPD, and PTSD, and she does struggle, she loves listing, so this would be wonderful
I love to be organised but with working and two kids under three I feel like I never get anything done, and that usually leads to overeating! Xx
I struggle to achieve my goals because of a lack of confidence, and I do what is expected of me rather than what I want to do. I’m currently studying a level 3 in business admin because it’ll help me progress in a job I’m not really bothered about, but I’m hopefully going to step out of the zone as I have applied to do a masters in criminal justice, so we’ll see what happens next!
I only struggle if I lose interest!
I am very unorganised so this hampers me. I also struggle with anxiety
I struggle due to having generalised anxiety disorder but get there eventually
Pain and time usually halt or hamper my efforts – I don’t give up : I always start again
I do, I try my hardest but my i cannot plan to far ahead with my husbands job, and having an 8 year old does not make things easy either
I am a list person – lists of what to do, where to go, creative ideas plus anything else I feel I need to remember (my brain will not stop until I put pen to paper). Some will probably say I need to be more organised – I am willing to give it a go.
Time is usually an issue for me, having 7 children who always f=come before myself leaving very little time
I don’t have trouble keeping to work goals; financial goals or goals I set for the home. What I never keep to are goals I set for myself such as learning a new skill or language. I think what holds me back is I always put myself last. Which I think is true for a lot of mums
I think I my weight and health are goals for me!
I don’t struggle to commit to my goals. Once I make them, I’m committed.
Yes, I do struggle with meeting my goals due to fibromyalgia and osteomalcia.
My main failing is fibromyalgia which has ruined my memory, which means if I dont write down a goal I forget what I was aiming for
Unless the goal is really important ie involves my family or my job – my goals can become wishy washy and the phrase ‘Manyana’ comes into play. I need to write down my goals and stick to them!!
I do sometimes write down goals & to do lists etc but always in a plain notebooks and then forget about them lol. Something like this is perfect.
It’s great to see such a well thought out planner that both organises and inspires.
I love the look of this planner. I try to plan ahead and like to write, instead of type in a google planner. This would be ideal for me.
My sister in Law would love this