Planning – Make Your Roadmap

Think of planning as drawing your map before you hit the road. You wouldn’t just hop in the car for a cross-country trip with zero idea of where you’re headed (unless chaos is your love language). Planning is about intention. It’s your way of saying, “Here’s where I’m going, and here’s how I think I’ll get there.”

Planning doesn’t guarantee a smooth ride—detours happen, construction happens, flat tires happen. But without a plan, you’re just wandering and hoping for the best. Planning is setting goals, breaking them into steps, and putting those steps on your calendar so they actually happen.

Here’s the kicker: planning isn’t about perfection. It’s about clarity. Even if you don’t follow your plan exactly, the act of writing it down helps you focus on what matters most. It keeps you from being hijacked by every “urgent” thing that pops up.

ROBYNE RECOMMENDS: Personally, I track all appointments, events, and “must do” tasks on my phone calendar. Then I transfer them to my weekly planner in pencil (because my schedule is often subject to change). I also try to answer emails and calls in specific time blocks to give myself solid chunks of time to work. I work at home, so I realize that I may have more flexibility there than some of you, but even in a work environment, there is often a way to group similar tasks together to maximize productivity.

FAITH FOCUS: Planning is about clarity, but ultimately we hold our plans loosely. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us: ‘In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.’ When you plan with prayer, you’re not just organizing your life—you’re aligning it with His direction.

SUMMARY: Whether you’re sketching out your week in a paper planner, mapping personal and professional goals, or just making a grocery list, remember: planning is about creating a path forward, not carving your life in stone. Make a plan, work the plan, but be flexible.