198: The 5-Minute Monthly Planning Ritual That Actually Works

Send us a text

The 5-Minute Monthly Planning Ritual That Actually Works

Struggling to stick to monthly planning routines that actually work? Most entrepreneurs abandon their monthly plans by week two, leaving them feeling reactive and overwhelmed. In this episode of Thrive in Five, business coach Cindy Gordon reveals her proven 5-minute monthly planning ritual that busy entrepreneurs actually maintain month after month.

Discover why elaborate monthly planning systems fail for entrepreneurs (and what works instead), learn the psychology behind sustainable planning habits versus overwhelming systems, and master the exact 5-step process that takes just 5 minutes but keeps you aligned all month long.

Perfect for overwhelmed female entrepreneurs and business owners who need a simple monthly planning routine that works with their dynamic schedules. This episode includes a free downloadable Monthly Planning Checklist that makes implementation effortless.

What You'll Learn:

• Why traditional monthly planning fails for entrepreneurs (hint: it's not designed for dynamic business realities)
• The 5-Minute Monthly Planning Ritual: Last Month's Wins, Priority Setting, Energy Check, Implementation Planning
• How to choose just 3 monthly priorities that actually move your business forward
• Why focusing on "next actions" eliminates decision fatigue and creates momentum
• Real client transformation: from overwhelming project-jumping to focused business growth
• How to make monthly planning a sustainable habit you'll actually stick to long-term

Stop abandoning your monthly plans by week two. Start using a planning ritual designed for real entrepreneurs with real lives. Download your free Monthly Planning Checklist and transform your business focus today.

👉 Tag @ExclusivelyCindy on Instagram/Facebook and share how you're using this tip as an overwhelmed entrepreneur - I'd love to connect and hear your story!

💡 Don't forget to subscribe for more quick productivity tips for overwhelmed business owners and female entrepreneurs!

💌 Get exclusive overwhelm solutions and productivity strategies for entrepreneurs straight to your inbox - sign up now! https://cindygordon.myflodesk.com/countmein

The OVERWHELM CURE - Beat entrepreneur overwhelm in one hour! Perfect for overwhelmed business owners who need fast results - https://exclusivelycindy.thrivecart.com/the-overwhelm-cure/

Daily Success Framework - Productivity system for overwhelmed entrepreneurs: https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/get-my-daily-success-framework-now

Get your Printable Success Affirmation Cards for Business Owners here: https://stan.store/cindygordon/p/success-affirmation-cards-digital-download

Connect with Cindy Gordon - Reality Check Method Coach for Overwhelmed Entrepreneurs:

• Website: ExclusivelyCindy.com
• Instagram: ...

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Can I share something that mightsurprise you?
The most successfulentrepreneurs I know don't spend
hours creating perfect monthlyplans.
In fact, most of them use asuper simple five minute ritual
that keeps them aligned withoutthe overwhelm.
And honestly, this was a gamechanger for me when I finally
figured it out.

Speaker (00:21):
Welcome back to Thrive in Five, where I give you a
quick burst of motivation andproductivity in five minutes or
less.
I'm Cindy, your host, aself-made entrepreneur, busy
mom, and a business coach.
I've built and sold severaldigital businesses ranging from
five to six figure successes.
So when it comes to managingtime and priorities in both life

(00:43):
and work, I get it.
I've been there and I am here tohelp you thrive.
Today, I am sharing my provenfive minute monthly planning
ritual, the exact system thatsaved my sanity and keeps me
focused on what actuallymatters.
This isn't about creatinganother perfect plan that you'll
ignore.
This is about building asustainable habit that works

(01:05):
with your real life and notagainst it.
Okay, real talk time.
How many of you start each monthwith the best intentions?
Maybe even spend a wholeafternoon creating this
beautiful detailed plan, andthen by week two, you've
completely forgotten it exists.
Anyone?
Just me?
I don't think so.

(01:26):
Here's what I see constantlywith the incredible women that I
work with.
You're either over planning andthen feeling like a failure when
life happens or you're flying bythe seat of your pants and
constantly feeling behind.
There's this weird guilt cyclewhere you avoid planning because
you feel bad about not followingyour last plan.

(01:46):
But here's the thing I wishsomeone had told me years ago.
The problem isn't that you'renot disciplined enough.
The problem is that most monthlyplanning systems were designed
by people who apparently don'thave businesses, kids, or real
life happening.
We need something that actuallyworks for busy entrepreneurs and
not lifestyle bloggers withperfect schedules.

(02:09):
So here's what I've learned thehard way.
Complicated planning systemsrequire way too much mental
energy to maintain.
As business owners.
We're already making about amillion decisions every single
day.
And the last thing we need is aplanning process that feels like
another full-time job.
I used to think I needed theseelaborate systems so that it was

(02:32):
professional.
I'd spend Sunday afternoonscreating color coded
spreadsheets, detailed projecttimelines.
But you know what happened?
By Tuesday, something wouldshift in my business and the
whole plan would feelirrelevant.
The breakthrough came when Irealized that planning for
entrepreneurs isn't aboutpredicting the future.
It's about staying connected towhat matters most, even when

(02:55):
everything else is shifting.
We need alignment and notperfection.
Alright, here's a system thatchanged everything for me.
Minute, one of the five minuteprocess, you're going to
celebrate your wins.
We start by looking back at themonth and writing down three
wins, not just the bigvictories, but include the small
progress too.

(03:16):
Maybe you finally organized yourfiles or you said no to that
project that would'veoverwhelmed you.
This isn't bragging, this isbrain training.
You're teaching yourself tonotice progress instead of
focusing on what didn't getdone.
Minute two and three.
This is the power of three.
Here's where we get strategic.

(03:37):
You are going to choose justthree priorities for this month.
Yes.
Three, not 33.
We're gonna choose one.
Revenue generating activity, onebusiness building focus, and one
personal priority that supportsyour overall wellbeing.
I know it feels scary to chooseso few, but trust me on this

(03:57):
constraint creates clarity.
Minute four.
This is the reality.
Check time.
Look at your calendar.
Honestly.
Do you have a crazy travel week?
Is it a kid's school break, amajor project deadline?
We are planning around youractual life and not a fantasy
version where everything goesperfectly.

(04:19):
This step alone has saved mefrom so much frustration and
self-judgment.
Minute five.
Next steps only is what we'regonna focus on for each of your
three priorities, write down thevery next action you need to
take.
Not the whole project plan, justthe immediate next step.
This eliminates thatoverwhelming, where do I even

(04:40):
start feeling and gets youmoving quickly.
Here's how to implement this tomake it stick in your real
world.
First, put it in your calendaras a non-negotiable appointment.
I do mine the last Sunday ofeach month, and I treat it like
a client meeting that cannot bemoved.
I seriously protect this time.
Second.
Keep it simple and use the sameprocess every single time.

(05:04):
No decision fatigue, noreinventing the wheel every
month.
Just keep it simple and keep theprocess the same.
And here's my favorite tip.
Write your three monthlypriorities on a sticky note and
put it somewhere you see everysingle day when opportunities
come up.
And they will.
You can quickly ask yourself,does this support one of my

(05:24):
three priorities?
If not, it's probably a no.
And this is such a sanity saverfor me.
Here's what I want you toremember.
You don't need perfect plans tobuild an amazing business.
You need consistent alignmentwith what actually matters.
This five minute ritual isn'tabout having all the answers.
It's about staying connected toyour priorities.

(05:45):
When life gets crazy, theentrepreneurs who thrive aren't
the ones that are the mostdetailed and have the most
detailed plans.
They're the ones who can adaptand pivot while staying true to
what matters most.
And that's exactly what thissimply monthly ritual gives you.
This kind of sustainablerealistic planning is at the

(06:07):
heart of my reality check methodbecause success isn't about
working harder.
It's about working smarter withsystems that actually fit your
life.
And remember you've got this,

Speaker 2 (06:20):
Thanks for tuning into the Thrive in Five podcast.
If you found value in today'sepisode, I'd love for you to
leave a review.
It helps more listeners discoverthe show and don't forget to
subscribe so you never miss adose of productivity,
motivation, and success tips.
And hey, share this episode witha friend that could use a little
extra inspiration.
Until next time, keep thriving.

(06:42):
And remember, you've got this.