Many people, especially us women and mamas love to schedule, plan, and organize our lives. Whether it’s us using our favorite planner or a new app to become more productive. But is there such a thing as over planning and can it hold you back from achieving your goals?

Sometimes we can plan and or even talk about a plan, goal, or dream so much but not realizing we are not pulling the trigger in actually trying to take the steps toward it.

One day I was talking to my hubby about some plans I had for a project and he said, “You’ve been having that on your list for a little while now and have been talking about it often, is there something that is maybe holding you back?”

My mind started racing after he asked me this question and it stopped me dead in my tracks. What was holding me back? I had a notebook full of notes on how I envisioned this project to be, look, and how I would execute it. And this obviously wasn’t the first time I brought it up.

Then I started really really digging deep. Did I just like the idea of the project and what it could potentially do, but I wasn’t willing to do the hard work? Was I scared of launching it and it would be a total flop? Did I not have all the necessary tools to complete the project?

After thinking about this for a couple of days I diagnosed myself as a “chronic over-planner.”

I know I can’t be the only one that decides to get fit. I make plans, research exercise routines and look at healthy recipes only to let my “plans” sit and collect dust as I tell myself “Oh, I’ll start next Monday.” Or make an excuse why I can’t follow through with my plans. Or maybe you are like me when you whip out that beautiful planner or pull up your Trello boards and can literally sit there for hours making plans and then crickets…

If this sounds anything like you here are some steps to make sure you break the habit once and for all on over planning.

Don’t pursue perfection – There will never be a perfect time to start or work on a goal. Life is pretty crazy and when you think of starting something many times things will come up and we’ll delay the start. There will also never be a perfect plan. After all, a plan is a guide or a map to help us get to where we want to be.

Don’t get too excited – I bet you’re thinking “Wait what!? Shouldn’t I be excited?” The answer is “YES!” What I mean is when we get a new idea or goals we get super excited and we start making our plans and/or to do list. 20 minutes later you have a list of 50 things to do and it all of a sudden becomes overwhelming. So instead you end up doing a couple of items on your list if any at all.

Do schedule and plan – Listen, please make plans and yes make a schedule, but make sure that you make smaller more manageable to-do list and schedule deadlines too. If you think you’re slipping back into old habits remember this acronym:

KISS:
Keep
It
Simple
Silly

The first step is the scariest – If you have an ambitious goal and it feels like you’re taking a huge leap from the get-go change your plans and mindset. Tell yourself you’re not taking a leap, but you’re taking a step toward your goal and plan accordingly. You might get there a little slower, but at least you will get there. Remember that some progress is better than no progress at all.

Remember that being a chronic over-planner is tricky! It’s tricky because you FEEL like you’re taking steps toward your goal by making plans for days and writing ideas etc, when in actuality you’re not taking any steps toward your goal. Really dig deep and figure out what is stopping you from taking action toward your plans and goals.

What about you? Do you think that “over planning” is holding you back from your goals?