We know we need to have some kind of plan if we are actually going to achieve our goals, but creating that plan can be difficult sometimes. Especially for “right-brain thinkers” who are often creative and/or multi-passionate.
It seems so complex to keep track of all the stuff you need and want to do.
And sure, sometimes it can be, but you can also keep things simple if that’s what works for you.
Here are some tips.
1. Prioritize
There may not be a way to fit everything in and still find the time to stay sane. Sometimes you need to decide what is most important to you right now, and leave everything else on the Future Projects list.
Another good thing to do is simplify.
What is the simplest, easiest, fastest way to make progress? What is one thing you can do now to move your project forward, even if you do nothing else for a while? (Need help figuring this out? I can help.)
2. Be Ok With A Basic Outline
Sometimes there are just too many variables to create a detailed plan or a plan with realistic dates. Sometimes you simply don’t know what the final product will look like or how long things will take. If you doubt your ability to create a detailed plan or a realistic time frame, then it may be best to just make a basic outline of your idea(s), and/or a simple list of what needs to be done in what order.
3. Plan Shorter Periods Of Time
I don’t know about you, but I’m not yet at the point where I can make a detailed plan for my whole year.
I tried to plan what I wanted to do with my business in 2014 earlier this month. As you can see, I didn’t get very far.
So instead I’ve got a list of things I need and want to do, and I’m working on figuring out how much time is needed for each and how I want to go about accomplishing everything. Theme days? A weekly to do list? Theme weeks? I’m not sure yet.
4. Be Ok With A Sh*tty First Draft
Creating a plan is like creating anything else – your first draft is often crap.
Here’s some brainstorming I did recently that illustrates this point very well:
Yeah. Super messy!!!
Here’s what my blog post planning for the next few months looks like. Also messy.
It’s ok to be messy. It’s ok to not get it right the first time. As I learned from Jasmine Starnino and Shanna Mann productivity is a process. Planning and organization are skills that can be learned. Just keep trying.
5. Do What Works For You
As you can see I’m partial to colorful pens, lists, and mind mapping. You might want to paint your plan or make a collage or do something else entirely.
Everyone is different. What works for me may not work for you. Do what works for you.
You may have to try several things before you find something that works, and that’s ok. A lot of the time we learn what works by learning what doesn’t work first.
There you have it, 5 tips for creative planning – prioritize and simplify, be ok with a basic outline, plan shorter periods of time, be ok with a sh*tty first draft, and do what works for you.
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