April 4th 2024.
When my mother was undergoing a difficult round of chemotherapy, she came to stay with me. Years prior, she had designated me as her durable power of attorney, entrusting me with the responsibility of managing her medical, legal, and financial affairs should she become unable to do so herself. Fortunately, due to our many open conversations about her wishes, the process of writing everything down was quick and easy.
Planning can be a daunting task for many people, and it's understandable that fears can hold us back from taking action. We often allow our fears to limit our potential and prevent us from achieving our goals. This is especially evident in the month of January, when many of us make resolutions or set new goals, only to find ourselves slipping back into old habits by February. I've seen this happen with clients who become paralyzed by the mere thought of planning, placing too much pressure on themselves and making the process feel overwhelming.
There are three common excuses that can hold us back from succeeding in our plans: fear of failure, apathy or indifference, and lack of planning skills. Some of us are afraid of being wrong, while others may not have a clear vision of what they desire, leading to a sense of apathy and questioning the purpose of planning. Then there are those who want to plan but feel they lack the necessary skills. If you find yourself making any of these excuses, it's important to recognize and overcome them.
One way to overcome fear and create a clear vision for your plans is to use a technique called "visioning." Recently, I had the pleasure of speaking with Mignon Francois, the owner of The Cupcake Collection, a renowned bakery in Nashville. We discussed one of our favorite books, "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield. Mignon shared that one of the key principles she's implementing this year is dedicating more time for herself. She has set a vision for herself to work only 196 days this year, or three to five days per week.
Once you have a clear vision, it's important to write it down. This simple act of putting your goals on paper can help bring them to life and make them feel more attainable. Mignon advises not to overthink the planning process, as this can lead to procrastination. Instead, take a few minutes to write down your plan and make adjustments as needed along the way.
Mignon's own experience in business has taught her the value of efficient processes and delegating tasks to trusted team members. This has allowed her to have more freedom to pursue her passions, such as spending time with family, mentoring other entrepreneurs, and writing a book. While making a plan does not guarantee success, it can help focus your attention and prepare you for both challenges and celebrations in life. So don't let fear or excuses hold you back from planning and achieving your goals. As Mignon says, "Decide on the dream and write it down!"
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