Discipline.
A common theme with some of my clients is that they struggle with the discipline to stick with their plan.
I've a few thoughts on where to start if this resonates with you…
Firstly, we're wired to see the negative… so ask yourself how true your thoughts are. How real is the struggle? Are there particular types of tasks you struggle with, or particular times of day that you struggle to stick to your plan? When I unpick this with my clients, it is usually not be as bad as they perceive it to be.
People also tend to throw the plan out the window the moment they go off track. Know that it's ok to go off track… our plans shouldn't be set in stone. We want some fluidity there to allow us to jump on opportunities at short notice, and to allow us to deal with any issues that may crop up.
“Just because we have a set-back and the plan goes off track, does not mean that the plan was bad or that planning itself is a waste of time. It’s having the discipline to stick with it.”
The more we practice, the more robust our plans will become. People tend to overestimate what they can achieve in a day, and underestimate how long things will take to execute. The more we plan, the better we get at cultivating the skill of time estimation. Time tracking is something I do with my clients, and if you're keen to implement a change with how you use your time, getting an accurate picture of how you currently use your time is super valuable.
Each week when you're creating your plan, take a few moments to reflect on the prior week. What insights can you take from the week - what went well, and what could have been better? What lessons can you take, and what adjustments might you make moving forward? Are you trying to fill your days with too many tasks? Have you got enough time for yourself to relax and re-energise? Do you have some whitespace / buffer in your schedule?
It is possible to create new habits, and re-wire the neural pathways in your brain (it's a property of the brain called neuroplasticity), but it takes time and repetition. Start with a baby step, what's something little that you can commit to, that is realistic for you to achieve. And when you do achieve it, make sure you celebrate it. Even if it's just a text to a friend to let them know you did what you said you were going to do (you can email me or DM me on Instagram and I'll celebrate with you!).
For example, if you're trying to get up earlier in the mornings to have some time for a morning routine… perhaps aim to get up early one morning in the week as a starting place rather than trying to jump in with a daily practice.
Let me know if you give this a try, and if you'd like some help with your time management - then you can have a look at my one-to-one coaching services here.