Before we dive into planning, let’s take a moment to reflect on what we covered in the last post. We talked about stepping back, identifying what truly matters, and taking small, intentional steps to move forward. Now that we have a clearer picture of our priorities, it’s time to put that clarity into action.
Planning is the bridge between feeling overwhelmed and feeling in control. When life gets busy, having a plan can make all the difference. Instead of reacting to chaos, we can approach our days with intention and confidence. In this post, we’ll focus on getting everything down on paper (or digital tools) so we can see what’s coming and prepare accordingly.
Step 1: Look at your calendar. Whether it’s paper, electronic, or a blank sheet of paper, figure out what you have going in the next two weeks.
- What bills are due?
- Any big deliverables at work?
- Anything happening outside of your normal routine?
- After-school commitments?
- Special occasions?
I use a dry-erase calendar on our fridge and Artful Agenda.
First, I start with the extra things that are happening that require my time or attention (outside of our normal school/work operations). Here’s what my next two weeks look like…
Next week:
- Two sports practices
- Hubby traveling for work
- Sports games start Saturday
- Shopping for friend’s baby shower
- School pictures
The week after:
- I’m traveling for work
- Dr. Seuss dress-up week for Little E.
- Two sports practices
- Saturday games
- Saturday baby shower
- Saturday Monster Jam
I also take a glimpse at the next two weeks, realizing that family birthdays, Field Days, and Spring Break are right around the corner.
Step 2: Establish a plan.
Once I know what’s coming, I start mapping out how to handle it all. I ask myself:
- What absolutely must get done?
- Where do I need to ask for help?
- What can I prep ahead of time?
For example, with my husband traveling next week, I know I need to meal plan in advance and make sure the kids’ schedules are covered. I also look at laundry, groceries, and any errands that can be tackled early to free up my time when things get busier. The result of all this hard work? Here’s a glimpse at everything I need to parent by myself during a busy week while hubby is traveling:
Before we wrap up, remember that planning is only part of the equation. Now that you have a clear overview of what’s ahead, it’s time to take the next step: getting everything out of your head and onto paper in an organized way. In the next post, we’ll dive into brain dumping and mind mapping—two powerful tools to help you break down your to-do list and tackle tasks with confidence.
Keep the journey going by checking out our next post – Brain Dump & Mind Mapping for Clarity!