I do a couple of quilts per year that are gifted for Christmas. This year I did them this summer! Sure feels good to just pull them off the shelf and add a holiday tag and Ta-Da ready to go.
I do use a planner and it does help to keep me focused. I limit myself to about 6 items per month. They may or may not be finishes but it helps me to not create as many UFOs. I actually try to include finishing one UFO per month.
The planner is also a consistent place for me to keep calculations for expanding or shrinking the size of a pattern/block and plans for fabric choices and lastly a running shopping list for what is missing for that month's quilt plans. Works for me and is nothing more than a smallish sized spiral notebook that I was given at a conference. Win/win for me!