IMPORTANCE OF PLANNING

Growing up, honestly, I never liked to plan. I wasn’t one to think ahead and I thought it took up to much time and effort. I would just like to show up, which lead me to be upset with the results, due to my lack of input, intention or decision making.

Now that I’ve grown up, a little, I see the importance of planning for everything in your daily life. Planning is not just beneficial for huge events like family trips or weddings; but also, for example, planning out your meals for the week helps you successfully do your grocery shopping, so that your meal prep is super easy.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. Proverbs 16:3 | NIV

Being a born – again Christian, developing more in my faith and growing daily in my relationship with God, I’ve come to realize that it’s difficult and stressful to try and establish my own plans, without seeking God’s wisdom and guidance on the situation. 

Although I may make plans for certain things, I recognize that God’s plans for my life will always be greater & better. My heart makes plans, but ultimately the Lord directs my steps. Proverbs 16:9 | ESV

First, let’s go over the definition of PLAN

Noun

1. A detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.
2. An intention or decision about what one is going to do.

Verb

1. Decide on and arrange in advance.
2. Design or make a plan of (something to be made or built).

Planning is a blueprint & reference guide for the steps you're going to take up ahead.

Are you apart of the planner community? Trust us, it’s amazing! It’s not just about cute stickers, amazing calligraphy & hand sketches – those are just some of the perks. Planning is a true mindset change. You develop & fine-tune skills that have been in you all along. There are real-life values that you gain from planning and in this article, we are going to share some of those with you.  

Here are some 5 key points on why planning is important.

Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? Luke 14:28  | NIV

1. Clarifies your sense of direction & importance

The scripture talks about the importance of planning. Before you do anything you should sit down and examine it. This will allow you to clarify your direction, needs and evaluate what’s important. This stage is critical - for this is when you will define all the building blocks.

2. Laser Focus

Planning allows you to set your aim on something, which enables you to go after full force. Now that you have established your building blocks you have a very clear direction of where you're going. You learn new skills, find new ways to accomplish things and don’t let excuses stop you. Also when you involve God into your life, he gives you such a natural fire and desire for the plans that he has for your life.

3. Improves Time Management + Productivity + Efficiency

Planning is a huge time saver, which then causes productivity and efficiency. Again, I will use the example of meal prepping and grocery shopping. Once you have analyzed your kitchen and made a list of what you want to make/eat, now when you go to the store you are not wandering around the aisle. Instead, your walking with a purpose to buy those items listed on your list. This will help you get more things done, within that same time span.

4. Helps Future Decision Making

Now that you know what is important, and manage your time better, you will make meaningful future decisions. These decisions are in line with the new direction you want for your life. Do they align with your building blocks, goals or plans? You will soon find out how to carve out time for your plans and limit the time that would be wasted, unfruitful or leading you off the path you want to go.

5. Improves Accountability + Community

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers, they succeed. Proverbs 15:22 | NIV

When your planning, you seek out to have people help you or come along with you while you’re on your way. You want to share your newfound ideas and habits - looking for a community around you. This community also provides you with a safe space to be accountable.

What I love about planning, now is that is it helps me grow in every area of my life - whether it be at home, work or among my family and friends. See how planning can greatly improve your life with ease. Check out our new 2020 planners here.

with love, Xiomara