The plans will go off the rails, so you need strategic planning to make a new plan.
In the previous planning strategies post, we talked about making plans and executing them. Now we are going to talk about strategic planning when everything goes off the rails because at some point it will.
Strategic Planning to Accomplish Big Things
In part one, we talked about creating routine to save your sanity and to create a peaceful day. But how do big things fit inside a routine. I want to write a book. Or I want to start a blog. I want to upskill. How do I do all these things?
Once you have your routines down, you will start to notice more time in your day to get these big things done. And did I mention more space in your brain to think about them. Instead of wondering if your kids brushed their teeth and changed their underwear, you will start thinking about how you’re going to kill off the character in your book.
You have space to think more creatively.
We are all unique and wired differently. Whether you are an uber-planner or totally chill, here are my 3 strategic planning tips to get big things done.
1. For big tasks work consistently in small blocks
I hate dragging projects out. Working this way doesn’t come naturally to me. But life is busy, and I don’t have 8 hours to lock myself in a room to finish a project in one go.
If there are large tasks you need to accomplish, then work on them 15-30 minutes every day, which easily becomes a routine. It can be before the kids get up or during naptime. You can accomplish big things in small, consistent blocks of time.
Even though I am not of fan of small, consistent blocks, I do know that is the only way anything is getting done. You can easily fit these small, consistent blocks into any of your routines. And you are still accomplishing your goals, it is just at a slower pace. You know what, we are busy moms, we are raising humans, and they are the most important thing. So a slower pace is ok.
2. Don’t wait until the last minute to get things done
Yes, there are some things that can only be done at the last minute. But don’t wait on everything until the last minute. Get everything you can get done ahead of time and you might even have time to spare.
Waiting until the last minute causes a pile up that become impossible to get out from under. Spread out a big project and determine what can be done in advance and what is a required last minute task.
Do all of your advance tasks ahead of time, and then do only the required last minutes tasks at the last minute.
3. Create a realistic to do list for your week
There are so many things that we need to get done, but plan your week with the time that you have. Unfortunately, time is a limited commodity, so what can you realistically do.
If you are constantly failing at your to do list, maybe your list is too long, and you can only get to a few things every week. Then you aren’t going to look at your list as an accomplishment (you did get half of it done) you are going to see everything that didn’t get done. This is not setting your week up for success.
Since you created your routines, there are parts of your day that just happen on autopilot. Your to do list are add-ons to your week. Depending on the size, pick 3-5 to do every week, and write them down in pencil. You have the freedom to erase as needed.
Strategic Planning for When the Plan Goes Off the Rails
It is important to understand that you aren’t managing time, but managing yourself and how you relate to time. If you are like me, you want to take on the world and conquer it in an hour. As hard as you may try it just isn’t possible, you need at least two hours to conquer the world, after coffee of course. And sometimes your plans go off the rails, even for self-proclaimed gurus.
Your seasons of life are constantly changing, and you will need to change with it. You may find yourself in a season of pregnancy, and you are coping with the first three months of struggling not to fall asleep before lunch. Or you have a newborn that is a Klingon and wants to be held All. The. Time. Or you are adding a kindergarten to your homeschool. There are so many things that can cause your plans to go off the rails and that’s ok.
But ask yourself, if you are the reason the plans are going off the rails. Are you doing any of these things?
1. Excuses
This can go both ways. You can look for excuses not to do something or look for reasons to keep doing it when you really need to take a break. Believe it or not, we do need to take a break from our world conquering.
Are you coming up with all the reasons that you need to keep working on something? There is always just one more thing to do. Or are you avoiding things that need to get done? Let’s face it, not everything you do is pleasant, fun, or fulfilling. Anyone else make excuses to avoid the dishes?
There are a lot of things on your plate, and it is important to figure out the best way to manage all the things for you. This includes giving yourself downtime, or time to be creative, or whatever it is that helps you relax.
Managing your time means managing your workload, your downtime, and family time. Watch out for the excuses to keep working and not taking a break. Or the excuses to play more, when we actually need to finish the project. You are the queen of your schedule, so stop making excuses.
2. All the little things
Mom, it is so easy to look at EVERYTHING that needs to get done and try to do it all at once. Your day is easily sidetracked by seeing everything that needs to get done. Although these are little things they are still important and need to get done. But don’t try to accomplish them all at once because that will leave your energy depleted, and then your time isn’t used effectively. And you are too tired to do anything at all.
3. Paralysis by analysis
It is so easy to fall into the trap of over analysis. Yes, paralysis by analysis is a real thing. Honestly, I would love to keep doing research and take another class, instead of doing what actually needs to be done. There is always one more thing to research or look into that you can keep going and going and going. But you do need to reach a point when you shift gears from research to action.
You know how it is. Let me look at one more math curriculum. Or take one more marketing class before I launch my business.
Mom, you will never research everything as thoroughly as you like. So make the decision to put action to what you’ve learned. You will probably surprise yourself.
Life is always going to get crazy for us. Depending on the season, so here are some tips when life sends your plan off the rails.
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We are homeschool moms and work from home moms. We may have busy times, and then there are super busy weeks. Here are my practical tips for the super busyness.
1. Not doing my normal habits
Yes, I have certain things that I do every morning. When things get busy, I delete everything from the morning schedule because I need more time to manage the busyness of the rest of the day.
2. Skip the do list
Usually, I have a really long to do list to start off my week. But during busy weeks chunks of my time are being hijacked by everything else, I am not adding any more to the list, but I am taking things off it.
3. Figuring out easy meals to make
Using my crockpot and making things like tacos or spaghetti are simple to make and kid approved.
There will be weeks that are exceptionally busy with other things that are not normally on the schedule. Instead of freaking out about it, I need to look at it as the exception and not the rule. So I can make exceptions to everything that I normally do for each week that part of strategic planning. During busy weeks my goals and habits are paused for the moment, so I can release some pressure that is on the schedule.
However, if you find that your plan is going off the rails every week, then it is time to make a new plan.
Make a New Plan
There are seasons to everything, and seasons change. Don’t be disappointed if your plan goes off the rails. That is the beauty of working from home and homeschooling, you can make a new plan.
How you accomplish things will depend on your personality. You want to execute your plan in a way that makes your day easier, not more difficult. Finding your equilibrium with anything new is challenging. But once you found your balance, if it is still too difficult, then change it.
Let’s start with making a new plan.
1. Write it down
Write down your to do list and schedule. Whether in a notebook or planner, there are so many benefits to writing down all the things you need to do.
Writing down your to do list or ideas, gives your brain permission to stop thinking about it. Your brain switches from, I need to remember this, to I can stop thinking about it because I know that it is in a place to remind me. Get a fun notebook because nice things help and start writing down all your world conquering ideas and to-dos.
Track your time. This is not something you will do forever, but it is going to give you a clear picture of how you spend your time. Sometimes we just need a bit of clarity in order to plan our days with knowledge. We may think one thing, but does it match reality. Write down how you spend your time in a day, so you can realistically make a plan.
Find the flex time in your schedule and come to terms with the fact that unexpected things happen.
2. One bite at a time
Growing up I am sure you were asked this question, “How do you eat an elephant?” The answer, “One bite at a time.” This is the same answer to when you are trying to accomplish everything. Or are overwhelmed by everything that needs to get done. Take a deep breath and start with one bite at a time. You will get more done by consistently working at it every day, then working at large chunks sporadically.
Mom, if you are making a new plan because your other plan went off the rails, then take it one bite at a time.
3. Create habits that you do every day
Habits are a great way to consistently work towards those things you want to accomplish. You can read more on the science behind it in Atomic Habits by James Clear. It is important to know the difference between goals and habits, and how to create habits as the process to accomplish your goals.
You’re going to create these habits with routines. A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away I scheduled my day. Yes, I followed the conventional wisdom when it comes to setting goals and scheduling my day. All the experts say this was the only way to get things done, so it must work. Right?
The problem with what the experts were saying is kids weren’t really considered in any of these systems. Time blocking, deep work, or other system never consider kids in the picture. Yes, they sound great, and if I actually had the time, I could get things done. But this isn’t my life.
I need a flexible routine that will bend to ambulance rides and fire extinguisher involved science experiments. You know, normal mom stuff.
So what’s a mom to do when the gurus can’t get it right? Be a rebel mom, of course, and forge her own path. That’s what I did with creating routines.
The purpose of routines is to create a flexible framework that still allows you to get stuff done. The benefit of establishing a morning routine is your kids know what to do and you keep your sanity. And they will know what to do without needing constant reminders.
Strategic Planning Next Steps
If you are feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to juggle, and you started hearing the angels sing when we talked about routines, then let’s take a deeper dive on them.
If you want more peace, structure and productivity in your day, then check out my course on routines. Let the power of routines transform your day.
Strategic Planning FAQ
Q: What is strategic planning for homeschool moms?
A: Strategic planning is simply creating a flexible plan for your homeschool, work, home, and goals. It is not about making a perfect schedule that never changes. Because let’s be honest, that schedule does not exist. Strategic planning helps you decide what matters most, what needs to happen next, and how to adjust when life gets crazy.
Q: Why do my plans keep going off the rails?
A: Your plans may be going off the rails because your season of life has changed, your to-do list is too long, or you are trying to fit too much into too little time. Sometimes the problem is not that you need more discipline. Sometimes the problem is that your plan was unrealistic from the beginning. That is fixable. Make a new plan.
Q: How do I get big things done when I only have small pockets of time?
A: Work on big projects in small, consistent blocks. Even 15–30 minutes a day can move a project forward. You may not finish it as quickly as you want, but you will finish it faster than if you keep waiting for a magical eight-hour workday to appear. Spoiler: it probably won’t.
Q: What should I do when I feel overwhelmed by everything on my list?
A: Start by writing everything down. Then pick the few things that actually matter this week. Not everything is urgent, and not everything needs to be done right now. Choose 3–5 realistic tasks and give yourself permission to move things around. Pencil is your friend.
Q: Is it okay to pause habits and goals during a busy week?
A: Yes. Pausing is not failing. During unusually busy weeks, it is okay to simplify your routines, skip the extras, make easy meals, and take things off your list. The key is knowing the difference between an unusually busy week and a plan that is not working anymore.
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