2019: Planning to Save Time & Create Action
{This post is part 3 in a series focused on the fresh new year on our horizon. So far we've pondered what we might want to change, celebrated what we've done right, and today we'll take a look at how to plan a calm 2019. If you're new around here, or missed the previous posts, I'd recommend reading those, too.}
If you want to ensure the best shot at having the 2019 you crave - planning is your best bet! It doesn't matter if your goal for 2019 is to do less, take up yoga, buy a new house, or take a trip to Bali - none are likely to happen without some proper planning on your part.
Here's why planning is the bee’s knees, as my Nana would say!
Planning creates focus and is more likely to create real action. Let's say one of your goals in 2019 is to work less. Will there be a day at work where around 4 pm you just aren't busy and don't feel guilty heading out on time or a little early? Maybe, but why leave it up to chance? What if, instead, you keep it real and know you can't do that every day, but that you can shoot for every Tuesday. Mark yourself out of office after 4:30. Set the expectation that you won't be there. Plan to be with your family and do something on purpose, like order pizza or make dinner together or play a game. Make it a planned routine instead of a “when I’m done being busy at work I’ll leave earlier more often” wish.
Daily decisions are easier - Once you create the big goal and plan the little steps, making the small decisions are easy. Continuing from the example above, when you make Tuesdays your "leave work on time and be present with my family" day, and someone asks if you can do happy hour that night, you know exactly what you already have planned. Maybe that makes it a quick and easy no. Or maybe you switch family day to Wednesday that week because you really want to go. Either way, it's a quick and easy option because you know your plan and your goal.
Planning encourages creativity and innovation - If your resolution is to save money this year and you plan to do it by eating dinner at home 5 days a week, sticking with your plan may call for meal planning. Executing on the plan may require you to think of things differently than you have before. Can you order groceries online? Could you teach your kids to chop and prep things on Sunday with you? If you just know you are eating dinner at home (see #2, small decision is already made), you may create a new favorite recipe based on what you have at home by day 5. Once you have a plan, executing it gives you the opportunity to get creative to make it happen!
Planning Saves Time - LOTS of Time! Some studies show that one hour of planning saves up to 10 hours of execution. For example, think about going on a weekend to trip to the beach during the dead of winter. Spending an hour to plan a few day before you go by making a packing list based on the weather forecast (sunscreen! Sunglasses! Flip flops!), reviewing flight times, setting out travel documents as needed, setting up a ride to the airport, researching fun things to do while there, booking a kennel for your dog, etc . . . Just imagine the time that will save and leave for relaxation and enjoyment on the actual trip. Personally I spend about 1 hour per week planning my entire week, and I do believe I save many hours by doing so.
If you're still not sold on planning, I'd encourage you to just give it a try. Commit to planning once a week for the month of January and see if all 4 come true for you. If you need help doing that, schedule a FREE session with me and I'll help you get started.
PS I think this guy knows what he’s talking about.