When we plan together, we progress together.
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Watch the overview video —
Watch the Planning Circle video below for an in-depth overview.
If planning was a one-and-done activity, we wouldn’t be here right now, you and I.
But seasons change.
What worked in the past doesn’t necessarily work for us today. Sometimes we’re incredibly motivated, and other times we just can’t. Sometimes the unexpected knocks us off track, and it’s hard to get back. Sometimes we just get stuck feeling overwhelmed.
I know from first-hand experience what it’s like to think:
“I never have enough time to get things done.”
“I can’t squeeze anything else into my day.”
“I have to get things perfect the first time.”
“I have to do everything – and do it right now.”
“I feel guilty every time I miss a goal.”
“I’m the only person who’s struggling with this.”
Although I have always been a planner, I haven’t always lived an intentional life. At just 25 I was clinically depressed and in constant pain. I decided to make some big adjustments in how I was living my life and began to take control of my life, evaluate my priorities and take care of myself again.
Today, I am the healthiest and happiest I have ever been.
It’s what prompted me to connect with other high-achieving, professional women who struggle with the pressure of goal-setting and hustle culture.
Most importantly, it’s what led me to create a group program where we can celebrate our progress towards the future we want to experience rather than chase perfection.
Now, I want to share my journey with you. And teach you how the power of planning can make a huge difference in your life.
Welcome to Planning Circle.
The Planning Circle™, hosted by Kathryn Hofer of Modern Planner, is a planning program designed to help bring clarity and intention to your business and personal life.
As a member, you’ll uncover and implement a framework that covers everything from the 10,000–foot view to the details that make your day tick. It’s kind of like an all–inclusive resort for your life, your work and your calendar.
What’s included in Planning Circle?
1. Monthly Planning Sprints
90 minutes at the end of every month
These live group sessions are your opportunity to reflect, prioritize and structure the month ahead. At the end, you’ll have a clear plan for progress, whatever it looks like for you.
—Included with your membership
“I didn’t expect to love it so much!
The Planning Circle is helping me plan my life (both personal and business) so I remain focused on what’s important.
Planning is essential, and there are so many different ways to do it. I love the community and the calls where we actually take the time to plan. The Monthly Planning Sprints are my favourite, and I highly recommend you try to be on the call live, and ready to plan. I need it.
The Planning Circle is good for me—it makes me stop, think, and plan. I love the program!" — Glenneth Reed
2. Quarterly Priority Planning
90 minutes every three months
Make room for what's really important. In these live group huddles, you'll paint a clearer picture of your next three months through a simplified planning approach and focused time for individual action.
—Included with your membership
“Life has been CRAY so I’ve missed almost all the live calls lately. And because things have been so busy I’ve been SO tempted to just not catch up with the replays.
BUT. I did the Quarterly Priority Planning replay over the weekend and I’m so GLAD I did! Truly - I thought I had in mind what I needed to hunker down and focus on but that totally changed when I did the work for it. I came up with new action steps that weren’t even on my radar. So funny!
I’ve been in the Planning Circle for over 9 months and the planning calls are always so encouraging in ways I don’t expect.” — Tianna Yentzer
3. Annual Experience Mapping
Four–hour live intensive at year end
Self-paced online course version will be made available
In this comprehensive annual planning session, goals aren’t the goal. Instead, look at the bigger picture, where you’re headed and define what you want to experience, rather than what you want to do.
—Included with your membership
“I was totally suspect of this process especially having spent a decade in the corporate world where SMART goals were THE way of life!
Being at the end of the year now, I can say I'm 100% convinced that these experience statements (and revisiting them every single month during Monthly Planning - and in my weekly CEO reports where I reflect on my progress for each statement), are why I was able to accomplish so many incredible things this year, even though we experienced unexpected loss this summer.
I know how different this process feels. But isn't that what you're looking for? Something that's different than what you've been doing. Something that doesn't leave you filled with regret at the end of the year. Something that helps you live a more intentional and purposeful life.” — Ashley Cox
4. Workshops & Training Sessions
Throughout the year
Throughout the year, group members can access selected on–demand and live programming designed to tackle the roadblocks that leave us feeling stuck and lead more purposeful, intentional lives.
—Included with your membership
“A thought–provoking training that made me more mindful of how I use my time and how, by better managing myself, I have more control over many aspects of my life and work.”— Mallory M
5. An Ambitious Community
All day, every day
There’s no party like a planning party – and the party never stops in our private Slack group! No matter where you are on your journey or in your day, you’ve got a village behind you, keeping you accountable, celebrating your milestones and answering your questions between monthly calls.
—Included with your membership
“The Planning Circle is an actionable program to go through together with a thoughtful group of women. It has been just what I needed the last few months—less thinking and more doing. This program has taught me the importance of sharing and community. I still need help in taking action and moving forward. It’s been just what I needed.”— Christina Orleans
Meet your planning partner, Kathryn.
Kathryn Hofer is the founder of Modern Planner, an online community designed to take the dread out of planning and help people live more intentionally. Lovingly referred to as the “champion of boundaries and guilt-free intentional living,” Kathryn is passionate about helping overwhelmed and overworked women slow down, create space for what matters, and make meaningful progress toward their goals.
When she isn’t hosting Monthly and Quarterly planning experiences for her Planning Circle group program, you can probably find Kathryn hanging out with her family, spending time outside, or curled up with a good book.
Planning is so much better with friends (and we’re all friends here).
“Oh my gosh – it can be this simple?”
Planning on purpose is about simplifying your life – not cluttering it with more stuff to do. This less-is-more approach helps you find hours in your schedule with minimal commitment and resources.
“I’m more calm and in control”
Overwhelm kicks in when we lose control of our time and energy. We can regain that control by thinking ahead and making meaningful and intentional decisions about our priorities.
“Almost every day, I use a tool I learned from you”
The practical framework and tools we use in our planning sessions serve you over and over again… not just during our planning sessions, but throughout the year in your everyday life.
“I love the close-knit community and accountability”
You aren’t alone on this journey. Our group is a warm, welcoming and caring community that offers new perspectives, celebrates progress and keeps each other accountable.
“It has been just what I needed… less thinking and more doing”
Ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work? Because we get fully interactive, hands-on and practical, leaving you with a tangible plan of action at the end of each session.
What others have said:
“I don't think I've ever felt so relaxed and excited for a new year. Set Vision & Plan Change (now called Annual Experience Mapping) has this insane ability to be really in-depth, but calming and inspiring at the same time.
THE WHOLE THING was my favourite part of the course. But if I have to pick - the Reality Check and Experience Statements sections.
Reality Check: I love how this "forced" me to focus on ALL areas of my life, rather than just the ones I wanted to focus on.”
Experience Statements: Probably my fave way of setting goals. EVER. They feel so encouraging and achievable yet are still going to push me. And I really like the focus on how you want to feel rather than hard numbers or SMART goals (which make me feel nauseous).
And the idea of having experience statements rather than more traditional goals is AMAZING. They feel more powerful because it's clear how working towards these statements will completely change your life. It's more long-term-life-improvement than short-term-don't-really-see-the-point-of-this-goal-and-I'll-hate-it-in-3-months-anyway which you can get from traditional goal setting. LOVE IT!”— Brogan Micallef
“The Planning Circle is training and accountability for every woman who is tired of being overwhelmed and ready to live free of anxiety—because plans have been planned. I especially appreciate the accountability. Sometimes I truly didn’t want to plan, but the community is so encouraging, and seeing others make strides makes you go for it as well!
I’m pretty Type A, so I’ve loved becoming even more planned out and organized, but I really appreciate the ideas and perspectives other attendees bring that help me get creative.”— Tianna Yentzer
“My biggest takeaway from the Planning Circle has been refining my annual experience statements and checking in on them in my weekly review. They remind me of what my priorities are and the kind of life I'm trying to create.”— Jodi Brandon
“The community aspect has been incredible, and I'll forever be thankful for the people I've met through Planning Circle (formerly The Quarterly). We’re all from different backgrounds and have different careers. It's totally hands on, and Kathryn’s ability to create a safe and supportive safe while still encouraging us to do the hard work is rare and so very, very powerful.”— Kate Smalley
“The Planning Circle gives you a step–by–step process, that feels so personal, on how to break down what really matters and what truly needs to get done.”— Quiana Goodrum
“Instead of focusing on all the things I am missing or doing wrong, the Planning Circle has shown me many of the things that I am doing right; the investments into the people and callings that are most important to me.”— Krystal Hundt
“Whatever stage you are currently in, in your business or private life, there is always something to reach for, a new way of doing and learning. If you are planning an event, launching a new business, moving across the country, or having a baby—every project can benefit from a little planning, setting goals and steps to get there. Monthly Planning Sprints are a great way to start!”— Susan Bernard
