The "Perfect" Plan Doesn't Exist (And Why That’s Okay)
Nor do you want to build yourself a fluffy cage that only looks good on the outside!
We’ve all been there: January arrives with a fresh planner and a head full of goals. But by the time the final week of the month rolls around, reality has usually set in. Maybe a client project went sideways, or perhaps the sheer volume of to-dos turned into a wall of overwhelm.
In our recent group coaching session, we went deep on Planning with Purpose. We didn’t just talk about spreadsheets and calendars; we talked about the friction points that actually stop us from growing: time, distractions, decision fatigue, and that nagging voice of doubt.
Here are the three biggest takeaways from our conversation that you can apply to your business right now.
1. Resilience is Part of the Plan
One of our members, Beth, shared a raw look at a challenging start to the year.
The Lesson: A plan isn’t a rigid tracks-in-the-mud path; it’s a compass. When things go wrong, being “strategic” isn’t about having a perfect record - it’s about how quickly you can reassess, protect your energy, and realign with your mission.
2. Move from Scattered to Visual
We discussed the power of getting your year out of your head and onto a wall. Whether it’s mapping out market application deadlines or product launches, an overarching visual year plan helps prevent the scramble.
Try this: Instead of a digital-only calendar, try a large-scale visual map. Seeing your year at a glance makes it much easier to spot where you’re over-committing, when important things are happening and where you actually have space to breathe.
3. The Shiny Object List
Jo brought up a struggle we all face: getting distracted by the fun creative tasks (like tweaking brand colours) when we’re supposed to be doing the technical work.
The Strategy: Don’t suppress your creativity, but don’t let it hijack your productivity either. Keep a dedicated Idea Capture list. When a new spark flies, write it down for later. This allows you to finish the task at hand without losing the brilliance of a new idea.
4. Intentions Over Words of the Year
Rather than picking one Word of the Year that might feel stale by June or completely forgotten about come December, we explored the idea of Monthly Intentions. This allows you to be more agile. One month might require “Focus,” while the next might require “Visibility.”
What’s Next?
Planning is the foundation, but implementation is where the magic happens.
If you missed the live sessions, don’t worry! All three of our Planning with Purpose coaching sessions are now available as replays in the Members Area.
In February, we are shifting gears. Our new focus will be Launching with Confidence. Whether it’s a new product, a service, or a passion project, we’re going to help you get it out into the world without the second-guessing.
Plus, next week here on Substack and Instagram I’ll be sharing my insights and learnings from setting myself the challenge of co-authoring 100 Playbooks in January.