Ever wonder why some big goals or projects seem to stall out before they even get off the ground? It's not that you're lazy, unmotivated, or incapable…it usually comes down to a few common mistakes that sabotage your progress before you even realize it.
The good news? Once you spot them, you can fix them.
If you’re trying to get started (or keep momentum) on something important, a project, a big goal, a dream you’ve had on the back burner, it’s worth checking in on these three sneaky ways you might be getting in your way.
Planning in a Vacuum
It’s easy to get excited about a new project and map it all out...without actually considering your real life. A lot of plans fail because they don’t account for the day-to-day realities—like vacations, work trips, sick days, or just how full your calendar already is. Without this visibility, even the best-laid plans quickly fall apart. The solution? Always build your project plan alongside your actual schedule. Don’t just plan for the "ideal"—plan for the real.
Freezing Because You Don’t Have the “Perfect” Timeline
One of the biggest reasons people never get started is believing they have to know the perfect first step, second step, third step...before doing anything. Spoiler alert: you don't! Instead of trying to map everything perfectly from the beginning, start with a brainstorm. Write down everything you think needs to happen without worrying about the order. Once it’s all out of your head, you can start putting the pieces together logically.
Forgetting to Put It in Your Calendar
You might have the best project plan in the world, but if it’s not connected to your calendar, it’s just a wish. One of the missteps people make is keeping their project plan separate from their real-time commitments. If you want to actually make progress, you have to schedule the steps just like you would any other important appointment. Protect the time for your goal like you would for a meeting or doctor's appointment.
Big goals don’t fail because you’re “bad at planning”. They fail because traditional planning often misses these three critical pieces. By planning for your real life, giving yourself permission to brainstorm without perfection, and actually putting your steps into your calendar, you’ll finally build the momentum you’ve been missing.
Start small, stay realistic, and protect time for the things that matter. You’ll be amazed how quickly progress follows.
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This Week’s Buzz: How can I plan when I’m in survival mode or navigating grief?
When you’re going through grief or an intense season of survival mode, planning the way you “used to” just isn’t realistic—and it shouldn’t be.
This week, I’m sharing what I’ve learned about planning through grief—what helped me stay grounded during one of the hardest seasons of my life, and how I simplified everything down to just the essentials.
Whether you’re in survival mode right now or just want to prepare for life’s harder seasons, this is a powerful reminder that you can still use planning as a tool… but in a way that gives more grace than pressure.
Remember, this video is only available until Wednesday—don’t miss it! Head to The Pink Bee app to watch now.
P.S. If you’re a TOP Program student, good news! We’ve added this training as a bonus inside the program so you’ll always have access to it. We got so much great feedback on this one, we knew it was worth keeping around.
Friend, don’t forget—just 15 minutes of planning today can set the tone for your entire week. You’ve got the tools, you’ve got the tips, and now it’s time to take action. Let’s crush this week together!
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