I often work with leaders who express frustration about the constant busyness of their days, leaving them no time to think ahead, plan, and organize their personal priorities. They find themselves reactive rather than proactive, and important matters such as family time get neglected.
But personal planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By investing just a little time in strategic planning and protecting key dates, you can make a significant difference in your life.
Bonjour, in this video I want to share a valuable tool that has helped me effectively plan and visualize my year.
As I write this email, I am surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of Corsica, also known as the “Island of Beauty,” with its crystal-clear blue waters and magnificent mountain ranges. TK, the kids and I are loving every minute of our time together here.
At the start of every year, TK and I set aside dedicated time to plan the year ahead. This doesn’t need to be overly detailed but provides an opportunity to discuss our aspirations and align our priorities. Early this year we dreamed of having a two to three weeks family vacation in the south of France.
We then took steps to protect that time and make our dream a reality. I use a tool called calendarpedia.com to help me visualize and plan. On the website, I select the Excel 2023 template for my country and region. I choose template number eight, which provides a year-at-a-glance view on a single page.
Using this calendar, I mark important dates such as children’s school holidays, family events, business training, and off-site activities. We protect the time for our planned vacation, even if we don’t have the exact dates or destination figured out at the beginning of the year. It’s important to block out the key dates for the year ahead.
From there, TK takes charge as the master planner and organizer of our remarkable vacations, like the one we’re currently enjoying in Corsica.
It all begins with dreaming together, followed by structured planning. I highly recommend using a tool like calendarpedia.com or any other visualization tool that suits you. Seeing your plans visually can make a significant difference.
Now, here’s a question for you: Is it worth investing a bit of time into planning and visualizing using a tool such as the one the one I’ve suggested?
For me, the answer is a resounding yes! It’s 100% worth it, and the results speak for themselves.
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip helpful.
Wishing you a lovely day.
A bientôt,
Cyril
