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 Social Media Manager, Allie L. is giving you her best advice. And in case you missed it, be sure to start with our series intro post: Planning for Success: A Guide to Achieving Goals where we share expert insight from our founder, Kathrine Farris.
Take a few minutes to read this and you’ll learn:
- The foundation of a great plan is your goal
- How planning helps you adapt to change
- Leverage the power of the plan
- My 3 fav planning tips
- Plus, Get your FREE 90-Day Planning Guide!
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.” That simple yet powerful quote by Eleanor Roosevelt reminds us to choose wisely where we direct our energy.
The Foundation of a Great Plan is Your Goal
Maybe you’re focusing on a personal health or fitness goal (80% of Gallup-polled respondents said they are), or financial goals have got your attention (like 69% of survey respondents).
No matter what’s important to you, there is one way to direct your energy that has proven results: Planning!
Think of your goal as the foundation of your plan.
“Ever wondered why in football when a player scores, it’s called a ‘goal’? It’s because goals facilitate the big win. The first step for creating any plan is setting the goals.” – Anaya Shah, Boston University
Set yourself up for the “big win” and reap the benefits of planning, like:
- Less stress & overwhelm
- Greater productivity
- Improved focus
- Optimal decision-making
- Better outcomes
- Adaptability to change – speaking of which…
How Planning Can Help You to Adapt to Change
Planning has helped me to better track and identify my goals and timelines for tasks and, as a result, helped reduce any uncertainty of what’s expected of me.
This was really helpful as I adjusted to a remote work environment versus in-person. With the many changes happening in the last few years, I think this is something a lot of people can relate to.
It’s easy to miss steps/forget to loop in coworkers/not update bosses if you are skipping out on planning your tasks…there’s a thoroughness and finesse to it that not all in-person jobs require. I had to learn to plan that into each task in order to be a strong team member.
Leverage the Power of the Plan 😉
When it comes to planning, I tend to leverage deadlines to help me complete tasks! It’s not glamorous, but it really helps me thrive and get more done – having a little bit of pressure helps me to focus on what needs to be accomplished.
For me, I’ve found that flexible timelines are not my friend and I generally have to make something firmer up…even if it’s just for me.
My 3 Favorite Planning Tips:
- Try to make it a habit to plan out tomorrow’s expectations and tasks, today.
- Keep all tasks in front of you so they can be reviewed frequently. This always saves me time because I don’t get lost in my thoughts trying to remember what I need to complete.
- If the opportunity is there, pair the right task with the right headspace. For instance, if I’m feeling creative, I focus on image generation or design. In a quiet & highly focused state of mind? Then I dive into analysis or copywriting.
It’s all about finding that rhythm and path that works for you. Remember – you’re unique, so do a little self-exploration to adapt how you plan to your individual style and preferences.
Why I Love Our 90 Day Planning Guide (& you will too!)
We designed our Marketecs free 90 Day Planning Guide to help you plan your goals like a pro, in just 90 days! One of the reasons I love the 90-Day format is because I know that the longer we put something off, the less attainable it becomes. You lose motivation, skip out on staying accountable, and before you know it, your goal flatlines.
Don’t fall into the common trap thinking that you need to wait until a new year (or some other specific date) to begin. You can start planning achievable goals for the next 90 days – TODAY! Get your complimentary Guide now.
