In this article series, we’re giving you all our best advice to make your plans a success. Because we know everybody is unique in their approach to goals & planning, we’ve asked each of our team members to share what works (& what doesn’t) for them. Below our Digital Marketing Copywriter, Rachel P. shares her favorite advice.
Here’s a recap of what our team members have to say:
- Planning for Success: A Guide to Achieving Goals
- The Foundation of a Great Plan: Your Goal! Plan Like a Pro.
- Can’t Seem to Achieve Your Goals? Try This Simple, Proven Approach
- Best Planning Advice from a Digital Marketing Specialist
If you’re a creative person who doesn’t like to play by the rules, keep reading. We’ll cover:
- Why focusing on the benefits of planning can help
- Are your pre-conceived opinions sabotaging your plans?
- 3 Planning strategies for creative people
- Plus, Get your FREE 90-Day Planning Guide!
“I prefer to work spontaneously and creatively, but that has often led me to procrastinate and rush things at the last minute.”
When I read those words from my team member Hope, I related instantly. And she mentioned “boring” and “restrictive” in relation to planning. “Yes,” I thought, “she gets it.”
For creative types like us, the struggle with planning is real. Very real.
Yet, as Hope pointed out, the procrastination, rushing & overwhelm that results from failing to plan is not a sustainable or effective way to work. Not to mention it seriously impacts your overall well-being.
So how do you take someone who thrives on the spontaneity & adventure of the creative life…and get them to stick to a plan?
It isn’t always easy – but it is possible. 😉
Focus on the Benefits of Planning to Convince You
I’m definitely a creative type, but I’m also a nerd. So, I like to know the science and logic behind something. 
When it comes to planning, it’s a no-brainer. For ages, studies have proven again and again that planning just works.
If planning can offer all these benefits (and many more), why wouldn’t I do it?
- Less overwhelm & procrastination
- Increased productivity
- Stronger focus
- Smarter decision-making
- Better aligned outcomes
- Adaptability to change
Are Your Opinions About Goals & Planning Holding You Back?
Before I started planning, I had pre-conceived judgments that held me back. The thought of anything that I had to follow to the letter felt so constraining. It doesn’t have to be that way.
You don’t have to follow anything exactly the way someone else does it. Some people prefer to plan further out into the future, and that’s okay. I personally prefer to focus on smaller segments because I find it more manageable, as my team member Kate shared.
Like Kate, I also love the concept of seasonal planning (which is why I love our 90-Day Planning Guide) since it helps me stay focused, grounded and realistic about what I can accomplish.
3 Planning Strategies for Creative People
- Transform your entire mindset around planning to avoid disappointment. If you believe it’s useless or boring or won’t make a difference…you will likely attract that exact experience.
- Try different tools until you find the one(s) that work for you. For personal goals, I tend to prefer hard copy planners (even a basic notebook works). For professional life, I love our Teamwork platform since it allows me to visually see exactly what’s needed – and to connect with my teammates to check in on tasks.
- Be inspired by others. I love the connection and inspiration when I find out how others like me made it work – kind of like the mantra, “If they can do it, so can I.”
Here’s my bonus advice: Life happens. And it rarely ever goes according to plan. If you fall off track, don’t let it completely derail you. In fact, as my teammate Allie shared, planning strategies can actually help you adapt to change more effectively.
Why I Love our Marketecs 90 Day Planning Guide
My inner nerd appreciates good logic. It just makes sense to me that the further out into the future your goal is, the fuzzier it becomes – and the less chance you ever have at actually achieving it.
For me, I can’t work with super long 5-year plans (or even 1-year). 90 days – 3 months – that’s doable and keeps me feeling motivated.
And no matter what type of person you are, who doesn’t want to tackle more in 90 days than ever before?!
Why not start today? Get your complimentary 90-Day Planning Guide now.
