I used to think planning was for other people, the ones who had it all figured out.
My life was a chaotic reaction to whatever came my way. I drifted from one thing to the next, stuck in a cycle of instant gratification—gaming for hours, overeating, and avoiding the things that truly mattered. I wasn't in control. My habits were. The idea of a "plan" felt like a cage, something that would suffocate the little freedom I thought I had.
But I was wrong. True freedom isn't the ability to do whatever you want whenever you want. That’s a trap. True freedom comes from discipline. It comes from building a life with intention. Planning isn't a set of rules meant to restrict you. It’s the tool that helps you build the life you actually want, one small step at a time. It’s how you go from being a passenger to being the driver.
If you feel overwhelmed and stuck, I get it. I’ve been there. But you can change your course. Here are 10 techniques that helped me go from chaos to clarity.
1. Start with Just One Day
Forget five-year plans for now. That’s too big. It’s intimidating. Instead, just plan tomorrow. Before you go to bed tonight, grab a piece of paper and write down the three most important things you need to do tomorrow. That’s it. You’ll wake up with a clear purpose instead of a sense of dread. Master the day, then you can start planning the week.
2. Define Your Deeper "Why"
A plan without a purpose is just a to-do list that you’ll eventually ignore. You have to know why you’re doing it. Why do you want to be more productive? Is it to provide better for your family? To free up time to pursue a hobby? To have more energy to serve your community? For me, a huge part of my "why" became my faith. I wanted to build a life that honored God, and that meant taking care of the body and time He gave me. Your plan needs an anchor. Find it.
3. The Power of Three
A to-do list with 20 items is a recipe for failure. You’ll look at it, feel overwhelmed, and do nothing. Instead, use the Power of Three. Each day, identify the three most critical tasks that will move you forward. These are your non-negotiables. Anything else you get done is a bonus. This brings focus and makes progress feel achievable.
4. Create Focus Blocks
Most people think they need to work eight straight hours to be productive. That’s not how our brains work. I found my sweet spot with short bursts of deep work. I schedule 2-4 hours of focused, uninterrupted time for my most important work. No phone. No distractions. Just me and the task. When the block is over, I step away. This method respects your energy and produces better results than trying to "grind" all day.
5. Plan for Rest
This is huge. Burnout is real, and it happens when you think "go, go, go" is the only way. A good plan includes rest. Intentionally schedule downtime. Plan for a walk. Plan to read a book. Plan to do absolutely nothing. Rest isn’t laziness. It’s recovery. It’s what allows you to come back stronger for your next focus block.
6. Do a Weekly Check-In
A plan isn’t written in stone. Life happens. At the end of each week, take 15 minutes to look back. What worked? What didn’t? What did you accomplish? What challenges did you face? This isn’t about judging yourself. It’s about learning. Adjust your plan for the next week based on what you discovered. It’s a living document.
7. Tackle the Toughest Task First
We all have that one task on our list that we dread. The one we keep pushing to the end of the day, which then gets pushed to the next day. My advice? Do that one first. Get it over with. The mental energy you save from not worrying about it all day is incredible. Plus, you start your day with a major victory.
8. Get It All Out of Your Head
Our minds are for having ideas, not for holding them. When you feel overwhelmed, do a "brain dump." Take a blank sheet of paper and write down everything that’s on your mind. All the tasks, worries, ideas, and reminders. Don’t organize it. Just get it out. This single act can clear the fog and make it easier to see what actually needs your attention.
9. Celebrate the Small Wins
Change is a marathon, not a sprint. When I started my journey to lose over 110 pounds, I didn't focus on the final number. That was too scary. I focused on winning the day. I celebrated making a healthy breakfast. I celebrated going for a walk instead of sitting on the couch. Each small win built momentum. It proved to me that I could do it. Whatever your goal is, break it down and celebrate every single step forward. It rewires your brain to seek progress.
10. Pray Over Your Plans
This is the most important step for me. Before I start my day, I commit my plans to God. I don’t just ask Him to bless my agenda. I ask for His guidance to align my plans with His will. There's a peace that comes from knowing that you’ve done your best to prepare, but the ultimate outcome is in His hands. It replaces anxiety with trust. It reminds me that my strength is limited, but His is not. This humility is the foundation of any good and lasting plan.
Planning didn't put my life in a cage. It gave me the keys to unlock a better one. A life of purpose, health, and peace. It’s still a daily practice, and I’m far from perfect, but every day I plan is a day I choose to move forward.
So, what about you? What’s one small thing you can plan for tomorrow that will move you one step closer to the life you want?
