Does the idea of planning your week ever feel overwhelming? You start with the best intentions, create a to-do list longer than your arm, and by mid-week, you’re ready to throw in the towel, off track, and wondering what went wrong.
You’re not alone.
As a mom of three, homeschooler, and business owner, I know how hard it can be to juggle priorities and stay productive—especially when your brain feels like it’s running on overdrive. Whether it’s because of your “mommy brain” making you forget where you put your keys, or ADHD convincing you to start five projects at once and finish none, the struggle is real. 😩
Let’s not forget how energy levels fluctuate throughout the month. One week, I’m bursting with creative ideas, and the next, I’m in full-on survival mode. When we don’t take these natural rhythms into account, planning feels like trying to sprint a marathon.
But here’s the truth: Most weekly plans fail because they’re not realistic. They’re built on wishful thinking instead of grounded strategies.
This year, let’s change that. Let me show you 5 simple steps to play your week effectively in 2025.
Why Most Weekly Plans Fail
Here’s the thing: most of us plan like we’re superhuman.
We create endless to-do lists, try to squeeze 10 hours of work into 6, and forget to account for, well… life.
It’s like packing for a trip and cramming your suitcase with everything you might need, only to realize it won’t close. Even worse, when you get there, you find out you didn’t pack the essentials.
I used to do this all the time. Thanks to my ADHD brain, I’d confidently plan to:
- Write a blog post.
- Record a podcast.
- Homeschool the kids.
- Deep-clean the house.
All in one day. Spoiler alert: I never got through it all.
And let’s talk about energy levels. Around ovulation, I’m unstoppable, full of creative ideas and drive. But the week before my period? I’m in survival mode, just trying to get through the basics.
Here’s the truth: Weekly planning isn’t about cramming everything in. It’s about doing less, but doing it better.
The good news? With a few simple shifts, you can create plans that work with your life, not against it.
Step 1: Reflect on Your Priorities
Before you even think about your to-do list, ask yourself: What truly matters this week?
Instead of listing 20 things, focus on your top 3 priorities—the “big rocks” as Stephen Covey calls them.
Imagine your week is a jar. If you fill it with sand (small, unimportant tasks) first, you won’t have room for the big rocks. But if you place the big rocks first, everything else can fit around them.
For me, some weeks the big rocks are business-related, like wrapping up a client project. Other weeks, they’re family-focused, like preparing a homeschool activity.
Pro Tip: Be realistic about your energy levels. If you’re in a low-energy phase, focus on maintaining the basics. In a high-energy phase? Tackle those bigger projects.
Step 2: Time-Block Your Non-Negotiables
Once you know your priorities, it’s time to protect them.
Time-blocking is like making reservations for your most important tasks. It ensures they get the space they need in your schedule.
Here’s how I do it:
- First, block non-negotiables like coaching calls, homeschooling, or family plans.
- Next, block time for my top 3 priorities.
- Finally, leave some open space for flexibility because, let’s be be real, life happens.
If your energy fluctuates, adjust accordingly. Low-energy weeks might mean shorter blocks of focus time, while high-energy weeks can handle bigger chunks.
Step 3: Batch Similar Tasks
Let’s talk about multitasking. Spoiler: it’s not a thing.
Switching between tasks all day slows you down and leaves you feeling scattered. That’s why batching is so powerful.
Batching means grouping similar tasks together so you can stay in the same mental zone. For example:
- Content creation (blog posts, podcasts, newsletters) happens on one day.
- Admin tasks get their own block of time.
- Client work stays separate from personal projects.
Think of it like doing laundry: You wouldn’t wash one sock, then fold one shirt, then go back to washing another sock. You’d do all the washing first, then all the folding.
Step 4: Plan for Flexibility
No matter how perfect your plan is, something will come up. Kids get sick, meetings run late, or you just wake up on the wrong side of the bed.
That’s I always leave buffer time in my schedule for “just in case” type of things. For me, this looks like not overpacking my day and giving myself permission to adjust if something doesn’t go as planned.
Planning for flexibility isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s an act of self-compassion.
Step 5: End with a Weekly Review
The final step? Reflect.
At the end of each week, take 10 minutes to as yourself:
- What worked well?
- What didn’t go as planned?
- What can I adjust for next week?
Think of it as fine-tuning your recipe for a productive and balanced week. Each week, you’re learning what works for you and getting closer to creating a system that feels natural and sustainable.
Feel free to grab my free reflection guide to help you with it.
Putting It All Together
To recap, here are the 5 steps to set your week up for success:
- Reflect on your priorities.
- Time-block your non-negotiables.
- Batch similar tasks.
- Plan for flexibility.
- End with a weekly review.
These steps have been game-changers for me and my clients. They’re simple, practical, and adaptable to your unique life and energy.
If you’re ready to put these strategies into action, join me for my free CEO Time Co-Working Sessions every Sunday this month.
It’s your time to:
✔️ Tackle the admin tasks you’ve been putting off.
✔️ Map out your priorities.
✔️ Start your week strong with support from a like-minded community.
Click here to sign up for CEO Time and start your week strong.
Let’s make 2025 the year of doing less, but achieving more.
