#251 – Is your planner tripping up your True Self?

Planning is easy. It creates the illusion of control, and who doesn't love that? The feeling of safety; the sense of power over our actions; the freedom we foresee.

The problem is, as I'm sure you've experienced one time or another in your bones, plans can just be changed. Canceled. Scratched out.

And what are we left with?

Disappointment, remorse, even guilt, maybe, for not following through what we promised ourselves we'd do – what we were 100% certain that we'd do, back at the planning board.

None of that inspires your True Self, the part of you that not only "feels" can handle anything, but that is effectively able and ready to handle it.

I noticed that on Tuesday, when I started working on my new writing job. In my head, I created the perfect schedule fitting everything I wanted to do: wake up - meditate - work out - shower - breakfast - morning pages - work - meditate (PM session) - newsletter writing - book writing - startup pitch-deck crafting - grocery shopping - cooking.

Or should I work out first and meditate after the shower, and do the morning pages during breakfast...? And when would I write the newsletter?

I spent so much time "tetris-ing" the pieces that by the end of the planning session, I wanted to do nothing. I'd run out of ideas for the newsletter, never opened the book writing app, and didn't even feel like cooking.

Today I've understood what was going on: my Ego, out of fear, wanted control, so it filled my head with ideas for a perfect plan. Noticing the plan was squishy, it hardened its grip.

With each turn of the metaphorical wrench, my True Self lost a bit of gas.

So, what's the alternative?

Live.

First, live through the situation, knowing that you may not get it 100% right the first time – remember the curve!

Then, assess – what went well, what needs adjusting?

Finally, capture the adjustments in a schedule – it'll work because now you've tested it. But if it doesn't, throw it away and merely live!

Where in your life might your planner be serving your Ego rather than your True Self?

Love,

Carolina