How to Make Your Monthly Planning Way Easier
Keep reading this post to learn:
What a First of the Month List is and why it’s a game-changer for productivity
How I organize my personal and professional FOM lists to keep my life running smoothly
How to create + store your FOM list (my exact system using Google Cal + Notion!)
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly forgetting little but important monthly tasks? You’re not alone! Instead of trying to remember everything each month (and inevitably forgetting a few things), I use a First of the Month List (FOM List) to keep my planning stress-free.
This simple but effective system keeps all my recurring monthly tasks in one place, so I can spend less time remembering and more time actually getting things done.
If you’re ready to streamline your monthly planning and save yourself tons of mental energy, this post will walk you through exactly how to create your own FOM List!
What is the First of the Month List?
A First of the Month List (FOM List) is a running checklist of recurring tasks that need to be done every month. Instead of relying on your memory (which, let’s be honest, never works long-term), your FOM List keeps everything organized in one place.
For example, here’s what my personal FOM list looks like:
✔ Fill out journal (reflection + monthly prep)
✔ Update my planner (monthly spreads + notes pages)
✔ Track my reading progress in Notion
✔ Schedule important dates (date nights, goal check-ins, girls’ night)
✔ Clean out my phone photos from the last month
And here’s my professional FOM list:
✔ Transfer money
✔ Pay taxes + payroll + send sales report
✔ BFF + TWSR tasks (business-related items)
Instead of spending time each month trying to remember these tasks, I just pull up my FOM List and get them done.
Where to Store Your First of the Month List:
I keep my First of the Month List in two places so I never forget it:
📌 Notion: This is my digital filing cabinet where I organize all my routines. I keep a master list of all recurring monthly tasks plus individual lists for each month (for things like quarterly or yearly tasks).
📌 Google Calendar: I set a recurring task in Google Calendar for the 1st of every month. The task includes my FOM List in the description, so it automatically pops up each month as a reminder!
Pro Tip: If you prefer paper planning, you can write your FOM List in your planner’s recurring task section (like in the Peacefully Productive Planner!).
How to Create Your Own First of the Month List:
Step 01: Brain Dump All Recurring Monthly Tasks
Think about all the tasks you need to complete every single month in different areas of your life:
Finances (paying bills, transferring money, reviewing budget)
Personal check-ins (goal tracking, journaling, planner updates)
Home maintenance (changing air filters, deep cleaning tasks)
Work-related tasks (invoices, tax payments, payroll)
💡 Bonus Tip: If you have quarterly or yearly tasks (like scheduling a tax appointment or renewing subscriptions), you can also note those in your monthly planning system!
Step 02: Store Your List in a Digital or Paper System
Now that you have your list, decide where to keep it:
Notion or Google Calendar for easy access
Your planner’s recurring task section (if you love paper planning!)
A checklist in your phone’s Notes app
📌 Pro Tip: If you use Google Calendar, set a recurring event on the 1st of each month and paste your FOM List in the description. This way, it pops up automatically—so you never have to think about it.
Step 3: Schedule Tasks Throughout the Month
You don’t have to do everything on the 1st! Instead, use your monthly planning meeting to:
✔ Assign specific dates to tasks throughout the month
✔ Block off time in your planner or calendar
✔ Set reminders for any one-off tasks
For example, I schedule financial tasks at the start of the month, but I spread out other tasks (like cleaning out my phone photos) throughout the month. This keeps everything manageable without feeling overwhelming!
Why a FOM List is a Game-Changer for Productivity:
✔ No more forgetting important tasks. Everything is written down, so nothing gets lost.
✔ Saves brainpower. Your list is set up once and works for you every month.
✔ Creates more time for what matters. Instead of stressing over what you forgot, you can focus on your goals, family, and hobbies.
Long Story Short: You Have to Try This Simple Planning Hack!
A First of the Month List is one of my favorite productivity hacks because it organizes my life without requiring extra effort.
If you constantly feel like you’re forgetting tasks or scrambling to get things done each month, try creating your own FOM List and see how much brain space it frees up!
🎉 Want a complete behind-the-scenes look at my planning system? Join The Hustle Sanely Lifestyle Course! I’ll walk you through my Google Cal + Notion setup and help you create a planning system that actually works for your life. Enroll here: jessicamassey.com/course.
I hope this tip made your life a bit more peacefully productive, and I hope you have the best day ever! 💛
📲 Trying out a FOM List? Screenshot this post and share it on your IG stories! Tag me @jessmmassey and @hustlesanely so I can see and share too!
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