Feeling cautiously optimistic about 2021?

No matter what’s in store for the next 12 months, life is better when you’re in charge of your own action plan.

The first step? Getting that action plan written down in black and white. In fact, studies show that people who write stuff down tend to process information more effectively, making them more likely to achieve their goals.

Here are

1. The Head Plan 

Designed by Dubliner Denise Kenny Byrne, The Head Plan offers a guided journaling experience to help you stay motivated, focused and driven. With 280 pages, including six months of daily pages and 26 weekly goal setting and reflection pages, the journal is undated so you can begin anytime you like. You can even have the cover personalised with your initials.

The Head Plan Journal is €35, with a weekly planning pad (below) available at €15 from headplan.ie. 

2. The Leanún Weekly Planner

This one was a complete sell-out before Christmas, but keep an eye on the website for the next drop of these brilliant diaries by Cork company Leanún.

Each weekly layout covers two pages, with 18 full month views from Jan 2021 – June 2022 and monthly trackers including Goals & Goal Action List, Needs & Treats, Things to Download, Books to Read, People to Meet, Things to Try, and Important Dates.

3. Badly Made Books

They’ll be shopping again from their book bindery and cafe on Friar Street from January 12th – plenty of time to get your hands on a 2021 week-per-page diary from Badly Made Books. The 56-page diaries and dot grid notebooks some in pink or blue, printed on recycled paper.

Shop Badly Made Books’ diaries from €20 at badlymadebooks.com.

4. Planners from Up She Rises

If you like to plan out every day ahead of time, this Cork company’s large weekly planner is ideal. Get on top of your hectic schedule on large A4 pages inside a gorgeous teal and gold cover.

Shop the range from €10 at Upsherises.ie

5. The Oh So Bello Diary 

Oh So Bello’s beautiful hard-cover diaries are handmade in Ireland in a selection of different designs. The pages encourage focused organisation; a quick glance at the different sections tells you instantly what needs to be done and when. You can also track income, outgoings, and set your savings goals in the ‘Financial’ pages or plan your holidays in the dedicated ‘My Adventures’ section.

Shop Oh So Bello Diaries from €47 here.