The 3-Step Planning Process That Actually Works
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We take you behind the scenes of the planning process we use for ourselves and our clients—a process that’s helped us ditch hustle-mode and actually achieve the goals we set.
If you’ve ever mapped out a dreamy business plan only to find yourself overwhelmed halfway through the year (or in burnout by February), this episode is for you. We’re breaking down our three-step planning process that helps us create sustainable momentum: assess, align, and act.
That time we used to “manifest” our way into burnout
We used to treat the new year like a vision board on steroids. Big goals, packed launches, all fueled by pure adrenaline and “good vibes.” But more often than not, we found ourselves exhausted, overcommitted, and wondering why we were still overwhelmed despite having all these plans in place. Turns out, manifesting is powerful but it needs to be paired with real, grounded systems that account for our energy, capacity, and actual life. Lesson learned.
Step 1: Assess what’s actually working (and what’s draining us)
Before we could build better systems, we had to get radically honest about what was working and what wasn’t. That meant looking at our schedule, our offers, and even our marketing with fresh eyes.
What was driving results?
What felt heavy, scattered, or unsustainable?
This part of the process helped us let go of outdated strategies and gave us permission to stop doing things just because we “always have.”
Step 2: Align our goals with our real life and energy
Once we had clarity on what was draining us, the next step was aligning our goals with the actual pace of our life. We asked questions like:
What do we want our days to feel like?
When are we most energized and when do we need to unplug?
We got clear on our non-negotiables (like no calls after 4PM or time off during kid pick-up) and started building our calendar around them. Instead of forcing our life to fit our business, we made our business support our life. Game-changer.
Step 3: Act with an actual project plan
This is where so many entrepreneurs get stuck because knowing what to do is one thing, but executing it is another. Having a clear project plan turned our ideas into action. We mapped out timelines, clarified priorities, and built in buffer time for life to life. The difference? We actually followed through. No more half-finished launches or ghosted to-do lists. Just grounded, doable action that kept us moving forward without burning out.
Why your annual plan won’t happen without a strategy
Here’s the truth: your business won’t magically align with your vision unless you give it a roadmap. Vague intentions don’t build sustainable revenue. We needed an annual plan that accounted for rest, revenue, and reality—and now we make one every year. With that strategy in hand, we can pivot when needed, stay focused when things get busy, and make confident decisions rooted in what we actually want.
Conclusion
Finding balance as a business owner isn’t a one-time fix, it’s a rhythm we return to again and again. When we assess what’s working, align with our real lives, and take intentional action, we stop operating from burnout and start building from stability. Our planning isn’t perfect, but it’s real. And that’s what keeps our business growing in a way that still feels good. Sustainable, profitable, and deeply rooted—that’s the goal.
