Reverse Planning: The Surprising Hack to Finally Get Ahead

Plan Your Week Backward: A New Approach to Get More Done

Hey, y'all! Let me ask you something: have you ever ended your week feeling like you've been on a hamster wheel—running nonstop, but somehow still in the same spot? You planned, you wrote it all down, and you even bought the cute pens and stickers, but by Friday, half your list is still there, waving at you like an uninvited house guest. Girl, I’ve been there!

Today, I want to share a little trick with you that helped me get off the hamster wheel and start taking control of my week—planning backward. Before you give me a side-eye and wonder if I'm talking about some wacky time travel stuff, let me explain: planning backward is all about getting clear on what you want to achieve and then creating a path that leads directly there. Trust me, it's like mapping out a road trip with no unnecessary pit stops—straight to your destination, baby!

So, if you’re ready to get intentional and feel more accomplished, let's dive in!

What Is Backward Planning, and Why Should You Care?

Okay, imagine it’s Friday evening (the holy grail of weekdays), and you’re feeling like Beyoncé in a glittery jumpsuit—completely in control and fabulous. Why? Because you’ve achieved everything you set out to do this week. Yes, I said everything. That’s what backward planning does for you!

The idea is simple: instead of starting with Monday and throwing a bunch of to-dos at each day like a game of darts, you start by picturing what you want to have accomplished by the end of the week. Then you work backward from there. It’s like reverse-engineering your week, and it makes sure everything you do is purposeful and intentional.

Think about it: if you know what "success" looks like on Friday, it’s much easier to figure out what you need to do on Monday, Tuesday, and so on to get there. And no more guesswork or ending up on a detour that leaves you asking, "How did I get here?"

Step-by-Step Guide to Plan Your Week Backward

Step 1: Define Your End Goals (a.k.a. Friday Wins)

Grab your planner, a cup of your favorite coffee, and let’s get crystal clear on what we want to achieve. Picture it: it’s Friday afternoon. What would make you feel like a boss at the end of this week?

• Did you complete that work project that’s been hanging over your head?
• Did you finally organize the closet that looks like a "before" picture in a decluttering show?
• Or maybe you want to simply have all meals prepped for the weekend (no shame in that game, friends—meal prepping is no joke).

Write down three main goals for the week. These are your Friday Wins. You want these to be specific and achievable. None of that "become a new person by Friday" stuff—just real, tangible wins that would make your week feel successful.

Step 2: Break It Down Into Milestones

Now that you have your Friday Wins, it’s time to break them down into smaller milestones. What are the key actions you need to take throughout the week to achieve those goals?

Let’s take an example: if one of your goals is to complete a work presentation, think about the steps:

• Research the topic
• Create a draft
• Add visuals
• Practice the presentation

Each of these steps is a milestone. Go ahead and break your goals down into bite-sized, manageable tasks.

Step 3: Assign Tasks to Each Day, Starting Backward

Here comes the fun part! Instead of starting from Monday, you’re going to work backward from Friday.

• Friday: What final touches do you need to put on your goals? Maybe it’s reviewing and polishing that presentation.
• Thursday: What needs to be done before polishing? Perhaps it’s adding visuals or practicing your slides.
• Wednesday: Time to get that draft done!
• Tuesday: Dive into the research. Break it down over the day so it’s not overwhelming.
• Monday: Set yourself up for success by laying the groundwork—block out time, gather resources, and make sure you know exactly what needs to be done.

By planning in reverse, you’re ensuring each day has a clear, focused purpose that gets you closer to your goals. It’s all about intentionality, and honestly, it feels like magic.

Step 4: Add in the Non-Negotiables

Now, I know what you’re thinking: “That’s great, but what about the million other things I have to do?” I got you! Life’s always throwing non-negotiables at us—like doctor’s appointments, school runs, or that weekly family FaceTime that’s both endearing and chaos.

Add these non-negotiables to your planner after you’ve assigned your milestone tasks. This way, you know exactly how much time you have for each day’s goals. It also helps you see where you might need to adjust expectations (like moving the closet organization to next week because, let’s be real, there are only so many hours in a day).

Why Backward Planning Works Like a Charm

Planning backward isn’t just a fancy trick; it actually taps into a very powerful mindset shift. By starting with what you want to achieve, you’re training your brain to focus on the end result rather than just going through the motions. Instead of filling up your planner with random tasks, you’re creating a direct path to your goals. And who doesn’t love a direct path, especially when we’re already juggling a thousand things?

And let me tell you, it also helps you say "no" more easily. If that random Wednesday brunch doesn’t align with your plan for the week, you have a real reason to decline it—and without feeling guilty. You’ve got Friday Wins to make!

Tips for Success and Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Keep Goals Realistic: If your goal for the week is to declutter the whole house, write a book, and solve world hunger... you might need to scale back a bit. Let’s start with just the pantry, okay?

• Be Flexible: Listen, life happens. Maybe Thursday’s plan gets derailed because your kid needs a last-minute project printed, and suddenly you’re covered in glitter glue. It’s okay! Reassign tasks and keep moving forward.

• Celebrate Small Wins: Even if you don’t accomplish every single goal, backward planning will have brought you closer. Celebrate what you did get done, even if it’s just getting out of bed on a tough day. (Been there, done that.)

Ready to Try Backward Planning? Let’s Go!

So, here’s your challenge for the week: Plan it backward!

Grab that planner and start by visualizing what your "Friday Wins" will look like. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll wonder why you ever started your week without knowing where you wanted to end up.

And remember, planning is all about progress, not perfection. Whether you end up nailing all your goals or having a few bumps along the way, the point is you’re being intentional—and that’s already a huge win.

Now, go ahead and backward-plan your way to success! And if you do try it, share your thoughts. I’d love to know how it works for you—especially if it means fewer hamster-wheel weeks and more Beyoncé-glitter-jumpsuit moments.

Happy planning, y'all! 🎉🗓️