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Is being a chronic over-planner getting in the way of your goals?



September 21, 2017

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? 

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CATEGORIES ~ Goals, Self Improvement 16 Comments

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Comments

  1. Emily Anne says

    September 30, 2017 at 5:00 PM

    I love this!!! 100% me!! Or at least it used to be. I’d plan until the cows came home with zero actions to back up my plans. Thank you for this awesome post!

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      September 30, 2017 at 11:56 PM

      Yes, completely agree! It’s something I have to constantly remind myself of.

      Reply
  2. Brandi @Chickenscratchdiaries.com says

    September 30, 2017 at 7:56 PM

    Oh how I needed to read this! Chronic overplanner here too! Thanks for the diagnosis & the tips. 🙂

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      September 30, 2017 at 11:55 PM

      I’m glad I’m not the only one! Thank you!

      Reply
  3. ALISON says

    October 1, 2017 at 6:33 AM

    Hahaha! GUILTY! AS MY HUSBAND SAYS, JUST DO IT ALREADY! FOCUS! RECOVERING PERFECTIONIST, CHRONIC OVERPLANNER…BUT IT IS THE ACTION THAT COUNTS.

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      November 10, 2017 at 1:09 PM

      Yes! Our husbands do know us pretty well!

      Reply
  4. Rebecca says

    October 16, 2017 at 10:03 PM

    Thank you for this post. I, too, am a chronic over-planner. and it really does feel like i am making progress on my goals, then I wonder why nothing seems to be accomplished! well, all i am doing is planning. no executing! i also listened to one of Gretchen rubin’s little podcasts earlier today and in it she said her father told her “frequency is more important than duration”. i love that because i get it into my head that I cannot work on a project unless i have the time and energy to do it for a good chunk of time. this is ridiculous. if i can work doing yoga into my day in 5 minute increments then surely I can work on projects in smaller increments than setting aside an hour every time. i actually think ahead on what day of the week i can allot an hour to working on projects. if something comes up at that time then i have to wait until next week or wait for another good day to come along. no wonder i don’t get nearly as much done as i have time to do. i have a million logistics i have to plan for. time to cut the cord and just get to work!

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      November 10, 2017 at 1:11 PM

      I definitely agree with you one the time issue. If you sit down and get to work you’d be surprised at how much you can do in a small period of time!

      Reply
  5. Casey says

    November 15, 2017 at 2:30 PM

    I’m definitely still learning how to balance my type a love for planning and control and the benefits of going with the flow. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      January 25, 2018 at 5:38 AM

      Yes, It’s a daily struggle for so many of us!

      Reply
  6. Ngumabi says

    November 15, 2017 at 2:39 PM

    I really agree with you
    I do make plans and they just remain plans for a long time
    This post got me thinking about the things I have spent time perfecting instead of just going for it
    Thanks for sharing this post

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      January 25, 2018 at 5:39 AM

      Love the saying “done over perfect!”

      Reply
  7. Kayla Sloan says

    December 15, 2017 at 9:38 AM

    I really like this post because I think it can speak to all of us about something we may not even be aware of. We should all stop an make a quick study of what holds us back from achieving our goals.

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      December 21, 2017 at 10:29 AM

      Definitely Kayla! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment and sharing your insight!

      Reply
  8. sHAWNA says

    January 23, 2018 at 10:15 AM

    I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THIS. i THINK i’M AN OVER PLANNER, AS WELL. (ESPECIALLY WITH MY MEAL PLANS, i’LL MAKE ONE UP EVERY WEEK AND FIND IT SO HARD TO STICK WITH, EVEN WHEN i MEAL PREP AND EVERYTHING.)

    Reply
    • gretchendauzat says

      January 25, 2018 at 5:40 AM

      I totally agree! Meal prep is tough for me to get accomplished many weeks and Pinterest doesn’t help at all!

      Reply

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Gretchen Dauzat is a wife, mom to 4, entrepreneur, and writer. Her passion is to empower moms to realize, cultivate, and pursue their passions beyond motherhood. When not folding loads of laundry, you can find her having a dance party with her family or listening to a great audiobook.

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