WHAT?!
Ok, ok, I know...businesses do a 12-month strategy plan all the time. Why not do one for me, and my family? Makes sense, right?
Nope. I’m full of anxiety, fear that I won’t be able to pivot, that I want to be fresh for whatever life throws my way.
Um-no. Not doing it. No freaking way am I taking the time to do this. Anyways, we go by the kids school schedule, sports, activities, etc… I’m at the mercy of the kids and supporting them.
Hmmm, now that’s interesting. What changes when there’s a structured reality? How does annual planning actually give more to being able to fully support your kids or relationship or finances?
How many families made it through 2020 because they had a plan and were able to support themselves, regardless of income, because having a plan makes you look at what’s important to you?
When you look regularly at what you value in your life, you bring it to the forefront and are able to focus your energy towards it. By doing that, you’re not reacting to what comes your way, you’re staying in your lane and the only thing coming your way are the things you’re passing by with your windows rolled down, hand riding the waves of the wind.
Resisting Structure and Planning
There’s a little part in all of us that resists structure and planning. The reason why may be different for each of us, and it usually has something to do with the level of control, or the illusion of it.
Being in control really has a lot of rigidity to it. Think about being on a roller coaster and how tightly most people hold on when fear starts showing up. Those that are not holding on tightly are going with the flow of the ride. Letting their bodies move with the ups and downs, twists and turns.
There’s a level of trust in the engineers who designed the roller coaster, and the maintenance people who take care of it. This is the structure and the planning. Having it gives a person a chance to relax and enjoy the ride.
The argument that a lot of people come up with is that they feel more relaxed and able to “go-with-the-flow” when there is less structure. That’s like getting on a rollercoaster with a broken seat belt and hoping you stay in, or being ok with falling out…
Another way to look at it is thinking of a compass. When you have one, you know where you’re going. If you’re dumped into the forest without one, you have very little way of knowing how to get out, especially if you can’t see the sun to guide your way, or a river to follow. You just stay put and hope you have enough to eat until someone finds you.
Some people resist this level of structure because they don’t want to “miss out” (FOMO), or possibly fail at what they set as a goal. Sure, these are important things. You can also miss out when you don’t plan and end up rushing to finish things. You’ll also only attain slow growth, if any at all, because you never focused.
“But what do I plan?!”
This is a great question. Not knowing what to plan, or even better yet, why you’re planning it can cause you to freeze up and still not do anything. Our brains are happy there. No risk, just the comfort zone.
Remember that. It’s your brain wanting to keep you “safe” and comfortable. And that is one of the biggest forms of resistance there is.
The One-Hour Plan
Let’s try our best to keep the brain as happy as possible and the resistance as low as possible. Do pay attention to it when it shows up.
Questions to Ask When in Resistance:
Is this fear? What am I afraid of?
Is this out of alignment with what I truly value in life? If yes, why am I choosing it?
If I’m afraid of not succeeding, what happens when I DO succeed?
Do I want to see myself in this same chair, wishing for the same things on this day next year?
Is my dream bigger than my resistance?
What are the benefits to all aspects of my life in planning this?
What are the roadblocks and can I see ways around them if they show up?
If you want to do this with your partner or a friend, that’s great motivation. You may also want to do this alone, and take your time with some hot tea, a glass of wine and some great music. Make sure your environment is supportive of what you’re about to do, and give yourself an hour.
You can always come back and edit or adjust. And you may be done in 15 minutes!! Let’s see what happens.
Get out a piece of paper and a pencil with an eraser, or a pen if you’re really ready. You can also do this all on the computer. You will want to print it when done.
Along the side, write out in a column with space between each one, the following eight life categories (you can add or remove what feels best for you, this is only a suggestion). Career, Money, Health, Intimate Relationship (romance), Family/Friends, Fun, Physical Environment, and Self-Development.
Next to each category, write out how you’d like to grow in each one. For example, Career for me would be to have my own studio space or one wedding per month booked out one year in advance.
From the list under each category, choose one or two of them that you know you can accomplish in the next year and highlight them. The best is to choose something you’re not 100% sure you can do. Something that causes you to stretch a little. This gives you consistent growth.
Now, you can take one sheet of paper for each category. Yes, that’s eight pieces. Write down those one or two big ways you want to grow. Looking at one of those pages; maybe the hardest category first, list out each month below it.
WORKING BACKWARDS!!!! This is the kicker...and if it makes sense to work forwards from this month, go for it. We all have different brains that see things in their own unique way.
If you’re working backwards, you start with the end goal, and ask what would need to be in place for this to happen? And before that? And before that? And that?
Take each thing and make it smaller and smaller until it’s in these bite sized tasks that will get you there. You may have a few bigger ideas that need space to move around. That’s where the pencil and eraser will come in handy.
Here’s an example:
My own studio space by May 2022
Sign a lease and move in-April 2022
Have the full deposit and first month of rent-March 2022
Start looking around and exploring-February 2022
Know my location, square footage needed, and other requirements-January 2022
Have a consistent client base that supports paying the added overhead-December 2021
Start using scheduling/client tracking software/tools-November 2021
Research scheduling/client tracking software/tools-October 2021
Regular outreach to partnerships/networking businesses-September 2021
Research partnerships/networking businesses-August 2021
Create marketing/event plan for studio use (current one)-July 2021
Upgrade marketing plan-newsletters, networking, social media posts/engagement-June 2021
List out benefits for a new space and opportunities-May 2021
Do this for each category. To be honest, you may only have a few things that you want to do and doing something every month might be a bit much.
Think about it, don’t be attached, and have fun.
Now you can take each month and post it up on a wall. The benefit of this is that you can look at each month and always see the end goal. It’s a constant reminder of what you’re going for.
You can always pivot and erase a part of the plan and strategize again. There’s nothing wrong with this!
If you noticed, I put for May of 2021 to list out the benefits and opportunities. I might find out that doing this is the silliest thing I could possibly do!
If that’s the case, I’ll look at my business goals and see if there’s something else I’d like to focus on for the year and adjust. Parts of the original plan may still be highly beneficial, and I’ll want to keep them.
Now that you have monthly goals, making your weekly and daily goals for each month will be so much easier!!
Where Values Fit In
Let’s go back to how doing this keeps you focused on what you value.
When I make a plan for my business, I can look at the benefits of having a new studio space and how they relate to the things that are most important to me.
One of the most important things to me is going on adventures and exploring with my family. Does having a new studio support that? On one hand, yes, if it brings in more consistent income and I’m not driving all over for appointments.
On the other hand, no, because while we’re on vacation I’m still paying the overhead regardless if I’m there or not and renting a space for specialty shoots only may be the most cost-effective thing to do.
When I pair finances with travel, I need to look at what freedoms and responsibilities come up and how those two values fit together regarding my business. I want my values in alignment or I’ll be frustrated in the long run and it simply won’t work.
Double check what you’re up to and be clear. It might help to list your top 3-5 values on every page so you can remember to have those in place. So often we decide to do something because we “should” or it’s what society tells us is right. That’s not always true.
Share With Me!!
What ideas are brewing in your head that you’re interested in listing out? What do you want to create or build in your life that you’re excited to see happen by next spring?
Share with me in the comments, or share this with a friend and see what happens in each other’s lives. What happens when you do this with your kids? I really want to know!!
Did you find a new way to do this that wasn’t shared? Do you do this now with a little different twist? Tell us about it!
Your comment may help someone else in a way that you never knew could. Let’s do this together.
~Cheers!!
Kim
This peek into Kim’s world was brought to you by Emily Kamala. Emily is a freelance writer and life coach who loves to share stories, write blogs, and experience life so fully she has to bring it to life on the page. If you’re interested in reading more of her work, you can visit: ConsciousLivingLLC.com
Kim Morgan has brought her passion for connecting and telling stories through photography to life. Her ability to put you and your family at ease is so palpable you don’t even realize she’s behind the camera getting those precious moments for you to carry with you many years later. She lives in Colorado with her husband, son, and dog, where they enjoy exploring the mountains and laughing at every opportunity. Her website is KWDesignsPhotography.com to see her amazing work and set up your session!