Discover A Kinder, Easier Way To Achieve Your Goals
Big Paper Planning Day is a compassionate goal-setting retreat, an opportunity for divergent-thinking, creative brains to sticky note and doodle their way into a new reality.
Live again April 27 and May 1, 2025.
SAVE YOUR SPOT
Why Big Paper Planning Day Works
There's a reason a majority of Big Paper Planning Day participants sign up to do it again. The strategies you'll learn at Big Paper Planning Day are backed by scientific insights from decades of research in motivation theory.
Abstract Goals
Most goal setting resources use the SMART goal framework, which centers hyper-specific action plans at the expense of motivation and sustainability.
At Big Paper Planning Day, we disrupt this pattern by putting the focus first on abstract goals, which emphasize the why behind your actions.
We still talk about habits, results, and specific targets, but not until after we create an actually motivating plan.
Visual Cues
The thing about goals is...you have to be able to see them.
You need visible cues and reminders of the commitment you've made, especially if you (like many of us at Big Paper Planning Day) have ADHD and are likely to forget a plan exists.
At Big Paper Planning Day, we work with our hands, crafting a physical representation of the person we want to be.
(This also means that Big Paper Planning Day is an excuse to spend an hour in the school supply aisle.)
Accountability
Growth happens in community.
When we feel accountable to other people, we're significantly more likely to stick to our plans. That's why we offer a live Big Paper Planning Day retreat every three months.
Not only do you get to body double with other creatives while you make your plan, you also get three months of live Momentum Support sessions and a Slack group for ongoing community support.
"Big Paper Planning Day opened my eyes to a completely new way of thinking about how to pursue my ambitious goals and cultivate daily habits that actually serve me. Lexi has made a space on the internet that is cozy, inviting, and creative—no easy feat!"
— Leigh Stein, author and coach
Here's your invitation:
1. Grab your ticket to Big Paper Planning Day and RSVP for your retreat. This Spring, we're offering live retreats on both Sunday, April 27 AND Thursday, May 1. The curriculum is the same both days.
2. Go school supply shopping. Grab a big paper (we recommend a tri-fold "science fair" board), some markers, pens, gold star (or similarly motivating) stickers, and get ready to have fun.
3. Take yourself on an Artist's Date and get your creative juices flowing.
4. Join us for Big Paper Planning Day AND three months of Momentum Support. Together at the retreat, we'll design a 12-week plan. After that, we'll meet every other Monday for check-in and accountability.
SAVE YOUR SPOT
"SMART goals never worked for me and, in fact, made me feel bad about myself when I couldn't seem to accomplish them. Lexi's lessons on abstract goals was a light bulb moment for me—and I've never looked back.
I can confidently say that Lexi's self-compassionate approach to goal making and the principles of 'abstracting' goals has single handedly altered my brain chemistry.
Now, I not only achieve my goals every quarter because I have a menu of actions based on energy level, but my entire outlook on my life is more self-compassionate.
If you're looking for a more compassionate (and motivating) approach to goal-setting, sign up for Big Paper Planning Day. You will not regret the investment. Bonus: You'll be supported by a group of like-minded people also trying."
— Taylor L.
Our Big Paper Planning Day Retreat Schedule
Big Paper Planning Day is held quarterly as a live, virtual retreat. We offer two options (Sunday, April 27 or Thursday, May 1) so that as many people as possible can attend.
Workshop 1: Vision & Values
Sunday 2 - 2:30 pm ET or Thursday 12 - 12:30 pm ET
What do you want? What do you really, really want?
Plans only work if they get you where you want to go. After we get introduced, we'll spend the first part of your Big Paper Planning Day helping you map out a vision and set of values for your life. This is how you learn to make confident decisions in the direction of your dreams.
Workshop 2: Abstract Goals & Action Menus
Sunday 2:45 - 3:30 pm ET or Thursday 12:45 - 1:30 pm ET
What are your priorities? How might you experiment?
After a break, we'll return and start turning your vision into actions—starting with a deep dive into the science of setting motivating and self-compassionate goals.
You'll create a detailed plan of action—but not the kind that expects you to be "on" all the time. Instead, you'll create a menu of ways to achieve your goals, with accommodations for low-energy days.
Workshop 3: Habits, Targets & Results
Thursday 1:40 - 3:30 pm ET or Sunday 3:40 - 5:30 pm ET
What are you aiming at? How will you spend the next three months? What's your least complicated next step?
By the end of Big Paper Planning Day, you'll have a full-fledged experiment just waiting to be tested. You'll create a hypothesis of what results you think might be possible, and over 12 weeks together at Momentum Support we'll monitor your progress and help you brainstorm changes as needed.
Remember: Results do not determine the value of your effort, but they can tell you something about the effectiveness of your strategy. (If you forget, don't worry—we'll keep reminding ya.)
Follow Up: Momentum Support
Every other week starting Monday, May 5 at 2 pm ET.
Now what? How do we actually keep up with the plan?
After Big Paper Planning Day, we'll stick together for Momentum Support sessions throughout your 12 week year. Hop in for guided accountability and structured support. Whether you need to change your plan, adjust the variables or just want an extra dose of motivation—we're here to help.
"Big Paper Planning Day helped me collapse the time on reaching my goals. It was such a manageable and fun way to approach goal setting. I felt so seen and supported by our Momentum Support group calls. Everyone kept me motivated and self compassionate. My biggest win? I don't viciously criticize my body the way I had done all my life, because my abstract goal was treating my body with kindness."
— Karen Khounthavong
Planning is for you.
Planning is self-kindness. It is an art form. Planning is a quiet, compassionate dedication — a place for you to be still with yourself and answer the question: What do I really want?
That's why we want to offer you the opportunity to make whole day of it. Big Paper Planning Day is a playful, artistic, self-compassionate, interdisciplinary approach to planning, goal-setting and motivation.
The next live Big Paper Planning Day is happening live April 27 and May 1.
