We’ve all been there.
You’ve got the notebook, the fancy pen, maybe even a colorful Trello board. You spend hours mapping things out — your business goals, your fitness routine, even your weekend chores. You’re feeling productive.
And then… nothing.
The plan stays on paper, and life keeps rolling as usual.
If this is you (no judgment — it’s me too sometimes 🙋♀️), let’s talk about why planning is so tricky and why we often get stuck between the idea and the doing.
1. Planning feels productive — but it’s not action
When we plan, our brain gets a little dopamine hit. We feel like we’re making progress because the vision looks so clear in our head.
The problem? That same brain chemistry can trick us into thinking we’re “done” — when really, we haven’t even started.
2. We want it to be perfect before we start
Perfectionism is a sneaky dream-killer.
In business and in life, we sometimes over-plan because we’re afraid to make a move unless everything is flawless. Spoiler alert: it never will be. Action teaches you more than perfect planning ever will.
3. Life is unpredictable
You can plan your week down to the minute, but guess what? Life loves plot twists.
Kids get sick. Clients cancel. The weather changes. The trick is to see your plan as a guide, not a cage. Flexibility wins over rigidity every time.
4. We underestimate the energy it takes
A plan might look easy on paper — but real execution requires time, focus, and energy. If you don’t account for your actual capacity, you’ll overcommit and then feel like you’ve “failed.”
So, what’s the fix?
- Start smaller — micro-actions beat massive, overwhelming plans.
- Set deadlines for execution, not just planning — “By Friday I’ll do X.”
- Review weekly — adapt, adjust, and celebrate small wins.
- Act before you’re ready — you’ll never have 100% certainty, but you can have momentum.
Here’s the truth: A simple plan executed today beats a perfect plan sitting in your notebook for months.
The magic isn’t in the planning — it’s in the doing.