Q4 is here! What are you doing to plan and track your progress as we close in on the end of the year?
Planning – ah, a phrase that inspires us or shuts us down! As the end of the year draws near, let’s think about plans we have that we’ve yet to complete, those we’ve completed, and those we’ll add to the 2024 list!
We develop plans to reach overall goals in life, both at home and work. It is useful to separate planning into phases to allow you to track immediate improvements while evaluating progress toward eventual goals and targets. Breaking down plans into different time frames allows us to place focus on time-sensitive aspects important to you, your family, and/or your colleagues based on the time frames of the input and expected outcomes.
Let’s take a peek at the short-term, medium-term, and long-term framework. Short-term usually involves processes that show results within a year. Medium-term plans at results that take several years to achieve. Long-term plans include the overall goals you want set up for up to five years in the future and usually are based on reaching the medium-term targets.
Planning helps you complete short-term tasks while keeping longer-term goals in mind.
- Short-Term Planning: When we outline our plans for the year, tracking allows us to measure progress and identify strategies for improving our results. Tracking weekly, monthly, and quarterly progress is a quick way to see what’s working and what’s not and make adjustments along the way. Remember, this can be done for home and work projects!
- Medium-Term Planning: We can apply solutions to short-term problems with adjustments made in response to problems we have encountered. What may we do in response to problems and reduce the impact? Take stock of both internal and external variables when considering the 2-3 year mid-term time frame.
- Long-term Planning: Solving/eliminating problems completely and reaching overall targets consistently is the long-term goal. Keeping up with the changing needs and requirements of all involved at home and work is a big deal! Some issues are within our control, others not whether we like it or not! Consider how best you are positioned to preserve accomplishments and ensure continued progress with the utmost of flexibility.
People are the core of any plan. It’s easy to forgo the “emotion” of planning and concentrate on deliverables only. While this sounds good on paper, it is difficult to achieve. Personal and professional responsibilities intersect throughout our lives. Emotions play a role in our willingness and ability to tackle what you set out to achieve.
Life hands us expected and unexpected surprises along the way. If I’ve learned anything over the years it is this. Plans change and when we least expect it – situations can change out of the blue. Planning allows us to build the framework of life while understanding adjustments are part of the planning process.
System for Planning
Take stock of where you are now and create your plan from this place. There are a variety of ways to approach this. If you’d like to discuss ways to prepare for and/or respond to personal and professional responsibilities intersecting, reach out. I’ve walked in the unique shoes of this perspective when you’re ready for help for your family or your business.
I’ve designed an online 12-module program called Put Your Mind At Ease that will include monthly Live Q&A calls. These twelve sessions cover what is often overlooked in our day-to-day lives and provide ways people can protect and prepare before disruptions happen.
Each module features a video, a checklist, and a fillable PDF to complete. By completing one module per week, you’ll be on your way to leaving behind a “trail of breadcrumbs” whenever needed. The three Live Q&A calls provide you with a monthly check-in to clarify what’s needed and why this will help you in the long run and provide accountability by working together for 3 months. Think of what you can accomplish in 3 months 😉
Providing value and making sure someone is ready, willing, and able to begin is important to me. There are a few questions to answer before starting, to make sure we’re a good fit. If you know of anyone who might benefit from this program, please pass along the information found here: Put Your Mind At Ease
Have questions? Email or check out the website @ The Living Planner
Read this quote by Dwight D. Eisenhower, “Plans are nothing; planning is everything.” Let’s get planning ❣️Lynn
#LifeHacks #PlanningIsEverything