Balance can feel like a fantasy these days.

When you're juggling work and home life - how could it not?

The thing is: you don't need to be a superhero to achieve your goals and find work-life balance.

It just takes a bit of planning - and that's where our new Balance Planner comes in.

Flexible no matter what you do for a living, the Balance Planner puts you in the driver's seat and back in control. Did you know that it's scientifically proven that you're 42% more likely to achieve your goals when you write them down?

So wave goodbye to burnout and say hello to boundaries. Here are four ways to get started with the Balance Planner today.

1. Keeping You On Track, Literally

Research has shown that planning can improve your physical health; in more ways than one.

And it makes sense, really.

Nutrition, exercise and rest all enable your body to heal. And using the Balance  Planner can help to keep these healthy habits going. In fact, multiple studies have found that people who set specific, measurable and attainable goals - and kept a record of their progress - were more likely to meet their physical activity goals than those who didn't.

So how do you do it?

Start by using the goal-setting toolkit inside your planner to set your overarching health or fitness goals. Remember to include why they are important to you before mapping out key milestones and dates. For example:

Goal: complete a half marathon in 6 months' time

Motivation: raise £1,000 for charity

Milestones: create small steps that hit the spot between commitment and listening to your body. New to running? Start slow. Each time you achieve a new milestone, it will motivate you to keep going.

Once you have decided on your goal, motivation and milestones, use your planner's monthly view to map out your workout days. e.g. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Next, use the week view to plot specific workouts and meal planning to help make sure you're fueling your body the right way.

Sounds easy enough. But how do you keep it up?

The answer? Balance.

That's where the daily self-care plan comes into play. You can't train for a half marathon without ensuring you look after your mind and body.

Feeling sore from last night's run? Take an hour out of your evening to take a bath. Or pop on a podcast and take some time to sort meal prep for the next few days. Maybe you've been so focused on training you haven't socialised in a while? Book in a chat with a friend for a catch-up.

Ok, so you've set your goal and are making time for self-care, but you want to track the habits that will help you reach your goal at a more granular level. No problem. Just use the habit tracker at the back of your planner.

Track steps, distance, sleep, water intake, or anything you need to keep you accountable, on track, and motivated to reach that goal.

Let your planner become your trainer, and you'll have that medal in no time.

2. Professionals Plan Their Next Move

Got a great idea for a business? Get it down on paper. Entrepreneurs who write formal plans are 16% more likely to achieve success than those who don't.

It makes sense, doesn't it? Especially when there's so much involved in starting a new venture.

Ready to get cracking? Awesome. Let's start plotting your next venture with the Balance Planner.

• Setting goals - start with outlining specific, measurable, and achievable business targets you can work towards with the goal-setting toolkit. There's also plenty of room in the notes section to draft the ins and outs of your business plan.
  
  
• Prioritising tasks - now let's get to the specifics. The month view lets you schedule key business milestones before plotting those MVP tasks each week. Then the day view encourages you to set aside time for deep work, breaking tasks into more manageable chunks.
  

• Tracking progress - ok, so you're off to a great start. The 30, 60, and 90-day reviews will help you stay motivated and on track as you progress through your planner. Things not quite going to plan? No problem. It's easier to change course when you've got a record of where you've been and where you want to go.

• Scheduling self-care - we all know that starting anything new takes hard work and dedication, but it's important to balance not working too hard. Burnout isn't inevitable if you make time for yourself. The daily self-care plan will ensure you don't skip out on the things that top up your cup.

Give your ideas the structure they need, and who knows where it will lead you.

 

3. Schedule And Start Saving Big

Whether you're saving for something big or just trying to navigate the day-to-day, it's tricky to stay on top of your finances sometimes.

But whether you're squirrelling away for a deposit or managing your monthly debt, the Balance Planner can be a secret weapon for keeping your finances in check.

In fact, one study revealed that participants with a written plan saved more across all income levels, with 52% of households saving 10% or more of their income, compared with 36% who didn't.

Here's how to use the Balance Planner to free up your finances.

• Set three big-money goals - outline these with the goal-setting toolkit. It could be paying off an overdraft or credit card, saving up for that dream holiday or even the deposit for your first house. Use this space to dream big.

• Plot your path to get there - keep focused on what needs to happen and when with the monthly view - for example, setting aside a certain amount of money to pay off 10% of your credit card by the end of the month. Then, zoom in a little further to see what changes you can make in the next seven days with the week view. Record everything, and you'll start to understand the ins and outs of your spending habits.
  
  
• Start healthy habits - want to swap those takeaways for home-cooked meals or start walking to work instead of catching the bus? Use the habit tracker to introduce habits into your routine that positively impact your health and your pocket. Whatever habits you set out to build, feeling a sense of achievement will help you stay on track and making progress.

Take back control of your finances and make your money work for you.

4. Planning Puts Parents In Control

There's no doubt about it; being a parent is one of the toughest jobs out there. And no matter how hard you work to stay on top of things, there's always "one more job" to do.

Breathe. The Balance Planner is your best friend for getting stuff done. In fact, daily planning is well-known to boost our cognitive functions - ideal when you've got a million things to remember. Not only that, but it can be a powerful tool in ensuring your child has a well-rounded routine and predictable day - ideal for their comfort and development.

But the planner isn't just helpful for remembering when your kid's judo class is or when to book their next dentist appointment; it's for you, too. Here are three simple steps to help you and your family get the best out of it.

• Manage your life - the monthly view gives you a helpful snapshot of all the important dates, appointments, and deadlines for you and your family, putting you back in control of your time. The week view then adds structure to your schedule, giving you visibility on the next seven days before they've even happened. Kind of like your own crystal ball.

• Look after yourself, too - it's easy to forget to do this, right? Not anymore. Not only will the day view help you tick off those priority tasks, but it'll also bring balance to your day with the self-care plan. Wellbeing can seem like a distant memory when you have a family, but planning small, achievable activities for yourself will help you feel at your best for yourself and them.
  
  
• Work towards something special - want to book in the ultimate family time? Use the goals toolkit to plan that long weekend or dream holiday you're always talking about. The logistics may feel overwhelming initially, but plotting down the key milestones or steps you need to take will make all the difference.

Never underestimate the importance of looking after yourself, it's the greatest gift you can give yourself and those you love.