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The Define My Day process

Make your goals a priority every day.

Define My Day helps you turn your goals into priority actions that matter. Choose what to focus on, follow through, and review your progress—on paper or in the app.

See the five steps

Turn your goal into today’s priority action.

Start with a goal you care about. Break it into weekly milestones and daily priority actions, then use your plan to stay focused as life happens.

Define your goal and why it matters.

Decide what you want to achieve and why it matters to you. Be specific about the result so you can recognize progress.

Ask: What do I want to achieve, and why is it a priority?

Choose this week’s milestone.

Decide what you need to accomplish this week to move toward your goal. Break it into actions you can fit around your existing commitments.

Ask: What progress will I make toward this goal by the end of the week?

Choose today’s priority actions.

Choose up to three actions that move your goals forward. Write the steps needed to complete them, and reserve time in your calendar. When distractions interrupt, return to these priorities.

Ask: Which priority action will make the biggest difference today?

Build the habits that support your goals.

Track daily disciplines such as exercise, reading, and rest. These repeatable actions support your health, focus, and ability to follow through.

Ask: Which habits help me make consistent progress?

Review your progress and adjust.

Notice what you accomplished and what got in the way. Plan tomorrow’s priorities, then review the full week to decide what to keep doing and what to change.

Ask: What moved me toward my goal, and what needs to change?

Illustrative Original daily-page example for January 4, 2027

Illustrative daily-page example · January 4, 2027.

See priority actions on a daily page.

This example shows priority actions, supporting tasks, and daily disciplines together. Use the same structure to plan the actions that move your goals forward.

An example of turning a goal into an action

Goal
Finish the client project without working through family time.
This week
Send the completed project handoff by Friday.
Today’s priority
Send the revised proposal before lunch.
Next step
Check the scope, resolve the open questions, and send the proposal.

Illustrative example. Use your own goals and commitments.

Keep your calendar. Give it better priorities.

Appointments and fixed commitments still belong in your calendar. Once you have chosen a priority, look for a realistic block of time to work on it. Check the plan and the calendar together as your day changes.

Read the guide to pairing your planner and calendar

Plan on paper or in the app.

Choose a paper planner for your daily priorities.

Write your priorities on paper.

Original and Platinum include daily priorities, habit tracking, and journaling. Defined Life has daily priorities and visual goal planning, without habit tracking or journaling.

Compare paper planners

Plan your priorities on your phone.

Use the Define My Day app on your iPhone or iPad for your priorities, daily disciplines and weekly check-ins. Some features require paid Pro access.

Explore the app

How to get started

Do I have to wait for a new week or year?

The paper planners are undated, so you can begin when you are ready. Start with the next day you want to plan. You don’t need to fill earlier pages to catch up.

What if I miss a day?

Start again with today’s priorities. You do not need to catch up on blank pages. Decide which action matters most now and continue toward your goal.

Where does the rest of my to-do list go?

Keep appointments in your calendar and other tasks where you can find them. Use your daily priorities to decide which actions should lead the day. Bring in supporting tasks as you need them.

What is different between the planners and app?

Each helps you plan priority actions and review progress. Original and Platinum include habit tracking and journaling. Defined Life has simpler planning pages. The app keeps priorities, daily disciplines, and weekly check-ins on your phone.

Take the next step toward your goal.

Choose a paper planner or the app. Set your goal, plan your priority actions, and start today.

Explore the appCompare paper planners