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Confessions of a planning overachiever

Writer's picture: Debbie BradenDebbie Braden

Every January, I get a rush of joy setting up my color-coded calendars. I know I'm not alone – if there's one thing internal communicators love more than crafting the perfect message, it's a beautifully organized plan.


Signs You Might Be a Planning Overachiever: (Yes, I'm calling myself out here!)

  • Your calendar looks like a rainbow had a fight with a spreadsheet (and the rainbow won)

  • You have different colored pens for different stakeholders... and backup pens for each color

  • You started planning Q1 2025 while writing your 2024 Christmas cards

  • You maintain SIX different journals (I'm not kidding - one for business planning, one for gratitude, one for habit tracking, one for notes, one for daily photos... and yes, I can justify why each one is absolutely necessary)

  • You've used the phrase "Let's schedule time to plan our planning session"

  • The office supply store sends you birthday cards


Recovery Tips for Fellow Planning Perfectionists

  1. The "Two-Hour Rule": If something takes longer than two hours to plan, you're probably overthinking it. Step away from the spreadsheet. Get coffee. Your color coding will still be there when you return.

  2. The "Good Enough" Timeline: Perfect is the enemy of done. And done is better than that beautiful plan sitting in your drafts folder while deadlines whoosh past.


​The Plot Twist


Here's the truth – Even the most perfect plan needs breathing room. Those white spaces in your calendar? They're not empty. They're opportunities waiting to happen. Whether it's a surprise company announcement, a last-minute leadership request, or an impromptu chance to connect with your stakeholders – some of your best work will happen in these unplanned moments.


So keep your color-coding (I certainly have), and maintain your beautiful timelines, but remember to leave room for the unexpected magic that makes our jobs exciting.


Hit reply and tell me I'm not the only one with multiple journals... right?

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