Four Steps to Planning for Success
This past Monday was exhilarating! I had the opportunity to guide 25 individuals on how to plan for success. A question that often comes my way is, "Ashley, how do you manage two businesses and hold two positions at Two-Brain Business, all while traveling extensively and managing so much?"
The answer lies in several factors, one of which is weekly planning. I've devised a step-by-step process to assist you in planning for success. I have broken down the steps of weekly planning into simple, repeatable actions.
Step 1: Choose Your Planning Method
Select a planning method that resonates with you.
If you're a pen-and-paper person, embrace that.
If you prefer electronic methods, go with that instead.
Whatever you choose stay with it! Do not change midway!
However, there's one exception: when unexpected thoughts or reminders pop up while you're driving, showering, or exercising. In such instances, utilize devices like Siri or Alexa to remind you of things you'd like to add to your chosen planning method. As soon as your chosen method becomes available add your items to it.
Step 2: Identify Your Buckets
What exactly are "buckets"? They represent aspects of your life that require attention, such as fitness, meals, tasks, appointments, etc. Once you've identified your buckets, strive to maintain consistency in managing them. You can add a remove buckets however, I find that once we identify ours they tend to stay the same.
Step 3: Incorporate Each Bucket into Your Planner
Sit down and focus on one bucket at a time, gradually integrating them into your planner. Be meticulous and add details. For instance, explore Pinterest for dinner ideas, and write those down on what day you will be having them.
Write the specifics of your workouts and add a time that you will be doing them. In fact, mark your calendar as "busy".
Write all of your tasks and put them in order of importance.
Keep moving forward with each bucket until you have gone through each one and written as much detail as possible.
Step 4: Be Consistent
Choose one day a week to sit down with your planner. Keep it the same day each week. The only rule is that you are allowed to ove it up by one day not back.
This will take less than an hour.
Be persistent even when you don’t feel like it. At minimum create a framework and then fill in details later.
I utilize my planner as a sort of diary. It's rewarding to look back and see all the tasks you've accomplished. In fact, it gives me great pleasure to see everything I have accomplished in a week and year.
Up next in my series of Free Workshops.....
November- Bonnie Skinner, Registered Psychotherapist and Executive Coach. Bonnie and I will be discussing the guilt of Motherhood and being an Entrepreneur.
December- Annual Planning for your Business and your Life
January- How to get a Great Nights Sleep as an Entrepreneur
Ash.
