Planning is a Creative Process - Don't Limit It

We need plans. We need written plans to make things happen. Meaning, they have to be outside of your head. The plan doesn't have to be elaborate. We don't need plans that are pages and pages long if we don't want them. And we don't need to follow any templates that restrict our way of thinking about our plans. There...I said it. 

You might be thinking... "Rubina, you create plans for people for a living, are you serious?" Yeah, I make plans, but I make plans based on what people want and what they really need. If I think you would do best with a visual plan containing some important phrases and keywords, then that's what you'll get...

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My intention here is not to bash planning. Rather, it's about dissolving the boxes we put ourselves in. And abolishing the boundaries and limitations we establish around planning. Because if you don't, you've squashed the creativity in it and you never create that plan. 

Planning is a creative process. It's energizing, electric, and thrilling. When planning, I surround my self with all sorts of tools. I don't want to restrict how that plan might manifest. It could manifest in written form as a Word doc, as a drawing in my sketchbook, or as thoughts and phrases on several sticky notes. I love that I can be very open about it and have fun. 

Now, I'm not saying get away from all templates forever. Sometimes our thinking needs to be tamed and focused. That is where templates help us decide where to begin. They can provide direction when you feel scattered. Many people desire order and organization in the form of outlines. Templates are perfect for that.

But...I have witnessed, too often, paralysis due to template use. That's when you abandon what you think you know about planning, what you've read, or what others have told you (except for me!). Just sit down with a pen and paper and start writing or drawing whatever comes to mind. Do not edit or judge yourself. Just go with the flow.

Now is a good time to start planning for the New Year. Planning for your desires and goals, the direction you want to take your business, the marketing actions you want to take, the life you want to have. These are all things you should plan for. Take out your markers, your paper, your sketchpads, your laptop, your sticky notes, your pencils...and get going. Dedicate a few hours to your project. Don't get too bogged down. Just start writing, drawing, sketching...making those goals and desires tangible and visible. 

Now go create, draw, sketch, type, outline, PLAN.​

To your Illumination,