Making long-term plans

​Hello again,

​Our theme this month is long-term planning, something we like to keep a check on in the Pod. In all the work I’ve done with fellow freelancers around long-term planning I’ve noticed a tension…

​On one hand there’s an understanding of the benefits; an appreciation that having something to work towards can help make the day-to-day activities count or that we can use a long-term goal as a lighthouse and a lens for decision making.

​On the other hand, there’s a resistance to commit because the future seems too uncertain or because we’re scared of getting stuck or failing to make progress.

​Here are a few ideas for how to ease that tension:

• ​Rebrand it as “longer-term” planning — this allows you to choose our own timeframe. You don’t need to look three, five or 10 years into the future. Longer-term could mean a month, a quarter, a year… you decide!

• ​Make it actionable — dedicate some time to breaking the longer-term plan down into smaller time pockets. If you’re thinking a year ahead, identify milestones for each quarter, then activities you need to do each month, and finally what tasks need to happen each week. Try out this framework for quarterly planning we’ve used in the Pod.

• ​Hold your plan loosely — don’t be afraid to change things as you go along. Revisit and review your plan regularly to make sure it’s still appropriate or if it needs updating.

​What is your relationship to long-term planning? We’d love to hear how you approach it. To get in touch, reply to this email or find us on Instagram.

​Until next time,
Emma

​Upcoming events

​Our next monthly planning session is coming up on Monday 27th February. Join us to review what has happened in February and preview what’s on your schedule for March.

​We’ll also be back with another virtual co-working session on Tuesday 7th March.

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