Making Planning Work For You

Life is a tug of war between disruptive chaos and the things we want and need to do. Lots of cool things happen along the way, but this struggle is the business end of things.

Medical researchers keep a close eye on the chaotic disruptive potential of arthritis and other illnesses. They call it life impact. Life impact is the sum total of all the ways having an illness influences the ability to live, work, play, and make important life choices on our own terms.

Over time, any chronic illness can inject chaos and uncertainty into an adult’s ability to pursue their goals, accomplish self-care, and live independently.

Where does planning come in?

It would be irresponsible to promise that simply planning ahead could halt or reverse the life impact of chronic illness, but I know that planning gives patients more options around how we live with chronic illness and disability.

Modern journals and planners cover too many subjects to name here, but some of the most widely available options are goals and vision, self-care and wellness, productivity, caregiving, budget and finances, holidays, and special events.

Here are my top 5 questions to help make planning work for you

What do you want and need to do?

Setting priorities is one of the most important aspects of life. Sometimes they’re explicitly defined projects or activities like doing our work, caring for our home, doing laundry, or grocery shopping. Other more complex responsibilities like budgeting, getting ready for tax season require more steps.

We might also have a set of hidden priorities in the form of distractions, soothing behaviors, or seemingly automatic routines.

Homework: Identify your core tasks & how to track them.

Do certain days and tasks match?

I try to do most of my meal prep and basic household tasks on Sunday and Wednesday. Planning YouTubers put me onto the power of starting the week off strong on Sunday to set up the rest of the week. Our meal prep food starts to wane by Thursday, so Wednesday is a good day to regroup and restock.

Homework: Identify your week’s natural flow.

How often should you check-in with goals and tasks?

Managing goals and tasks is a complex mix of tasks, scale, and timeframe. This might require anything from a project management plan, detailed list, or sticky note reminder.

Homework: Consider what worked in the past and build from there.

What’s getting in the way of your important work?

Have you ever started out with a neatly written to-do list only to have dinner time roll around with nothing or 20 different things done instead? You’re not alone.

Homework: Take stock of routines, distractions, and current abilities to help us understand what’s happening.

Bonus: Keeping a list of everything we do is a good start.

What makes you happy?

Everybody needs and deserves something to look forward to, but fatigue, finances, and crowded schedules  can get in the way. The “right” time to do what fulfills or makes us happy may never come.

Homework: Put happiness on top of your list.