In Step 1, we talked about the importance of planning.  If you need a refresher, you can re-read that post here. In Step 2, we’ll talk through the steps of how the pod planner works and the importance of giving yourself time and space to do this exercise meaningfully.  Because graphics are fun and we love whales, this is an overview of how this is going to work:

Map your meaning:   This exercise helps you to identify where you find the most meaning in life to help inform your big goals.

Big goals:   We’ll guide you through setting some goals that you get excited about.

Life roles:  We’ll help you understand all the hats you wear in life and choose the ones that are most important to you each month.

• Decide: You figure out which tasks can best support your goals.

• Make it happen: Get it on a calendar so it will actually happen.

• Retro: At the end of the month, you’ll take some time to reflect on what went well and get you ready for next month's planning.

For each of these steps, therein lies science to support and increase your chance of success. Lots of science inside, there is. We’re not just making this up.

Time needed:   This exercise will actually save you time. Every minute you spend planning saves 10 minutes in execution; this means a 1-2 hour planning session will save you up to 20 hours a month! I think we can all agree that’s worth it.

Your first session is the most important. Find an uninterrupted hour block in a place where you feel relaxed, somewhere that allows you to focus (coffee shop, local pub, beach, backyard, kitchen…). Where can you get in the zone? When we started developing this exercise, we thought, “Oh, I’ll just do this at lunch” or “I’ll do this while I’m watching my favorite episode of x.” FAIL. You need time where you will not be distracted and can sit with your thoughts.

Your list of supplies

Calendars:   You’ll need a copy of any calendars you use to organize your life, whether that’s digital, physical, or a mental view of your calendar. If you keep separate calendars for work, family and/or your personal life,make sure you have them all.

A notebook:  We recommend something physical to write on.  Not only will doing this exercise offline save you from distractions, but writing things down helps you remember them better. 

A pencil:   We like pencils better than pens because they have erasers and it’s ok to change your mind.  If you’re really invested in this debate, smithsonianmag.com has a really great article about why pencils are better than pens.

A sharpener:   Dull pencils are lame.

A relaxed and positive mind:   When we get stressed out our brains go into fight or flight mode and it’s nearly impossible for us to think creatively. According to Harvard Medical School, fight or flight is the response that has evolved as a survival mechanism to react quickly to life threatening situations like saber-toothed tigers. In today’s world, this still present cognitive pattern is triggered in situations such as traffic jams, work pressure or family stress.

If you’re tired or grumpy, snap out of it before you start (tell yourself a joke, go for a walk or smile ten times in a row). If that doesn’t whet your whistle, reschedule with yourself when you’re in a better mood and well rested.

A joke to set the mood: In case you’re in a bad place right now or need a dose of good humor,we like this one. Why do seagulls live by the sea? Because if they lived by the bay, they’d be bay gulls! Mmmm…… bagels.

Got all that?  Ok, make sure you schedule some time for yourself and when you are ready, we will start a really great exercise to help you map your meaning to set the stage for those big goals!