704 - The 10 Filters I Use to Plan My Week
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In this episode of the Organize 365 Podcast, host Lisa Woodruff shares her comprehensive 10-step weekly planning system, emphasizing that true organization begins with intentional prioritization. She reveals how she uses a physical weekly planning sheet to layer her life—starting with personal goals like her PhD and gym routine, then moving to self-care, work extras, and caregiving responsibilities before addressing routine tasks. Lisa explains that by planning her week in this order, she reduces decision fatigue and ensures her most important goals are protected. She also highlights the importance of accounting for driving time, meal planning, wardrobe decisions, and even the weather—elements often overlooked but critical to smooth execution. Her process, while detailed, is designed to create mental clarity and free up time by externalizing decisions in advance. Lisa shares that once her plan is set, she rarely refers back to the sheet, trusting her calendar and internalized structure to guide her.
Start your weekly planning with your biggest personal goals before routine tasks to ensure they get priority.
Block time for self-care, caregiving, and work extras early—these often get squeezed out if planned last.
Account for driving time in your calendar to avoid chronic lateness and unrealistic scheduling.
Plan meals, wardrobe, and hair routines in advance to reduce daily decision fatigue.
Use a physical weekly planning sheet to visualize the full week and make proactive adjustments.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Listener Success Story & Podcast Intro
Lisa opens with a listener email from Kimber, who successfully eliminated kitchen counter clutter using the Sunday basket system. She invites more success stories and introduces herself as a professional organizer and productivity expert.
The Sunday Basket: Beyond the Basics
Lisa reflects on her January check-in with the Sunday Basket Club and notes that most members don’t complete the weekly planning phase. She debunks the myth that the Sunday basket must take exactly 90 minutes and emphasizes flexibility based on life demands.
The 10-Filter Planning System: Step-by-Step
“I plan my week by starting with my biggest personal goal, then everyone else who needs something from me, and then the routine things.”
Scheduling Self-Care & Caregiving
“I make myself available for any doctor's appointments that he has. I feel blessed that Abby wants me to go to those doctor's appointments and I like to go to them so I will make sure that I am available.”
The Power of Pre-Planning: Food, Wardrobe & Weather
“I don't look at the weather again until the next weekend. I just planned everything on Sunday.”
“You're not done making dinner and you're like... I don't know, teleporting or somehow you think you're already at football practice.”
“If everything has to melt off of my calendar, what is the thing or things that really must get done today in order for the company and my household to move forward?”
“I plan my week by starting with my biggest personal goal, then everyone else who needs something from me, and then the routine things.”
Host
Lisa Woodruff
person
Sunday basket
other
Google Calendar
product
Organize 365
brand
PhD
other
Grayson
person
gym
place
Abby
person
Greg
person
Costco
brand
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