How to Plan for the "Messy Middle" (aka Real Life)
Image by Opal Hour Photo
When you're planning for the week, what usually comes to mind? Do you envision a week with plenty of time and abundant energy, where everything goes according to plan? As a mom of two and a business owner, that rarely happens for me — or any of my clients.
Life is full of curveballs and obstacles. Someone in the family gets sick, schedules change, energy dips, work runs longer than you planned — it's all a part of life's ebbs and flows.
Being able to plan for the "messy middle" is a skill that will help you to prioritize healthy habits, which will help to make your goals sustainable.
Instead of one rigid plan that depends on a "perfect week", create three versions of your plan:
Plan A: Your ideal week
Plan B: A shortened/flexible version
Plan C: The bare minimum that needs to get done
(P.S. The bare minimum still totally counts! Give yourself credit for the things that you ARE able to accomplish.)
This way, when things don’t go as planned, you’re not starting from scratch. You’re adjusting.
Here are some examples of what this could look like, in different planning areas:
Example 1: Movement
Plan A: 45-minute strength workout
Plan B: 20-minute circuit
Plan C: 5–10 minute walk
Example 2: Nutrition
Plan A: A home-cooked meal
Plan B: A simple, quick option
Plan C: A protein + something easy and accessible, from the store or carry out
Example 3: Self-care
Plan A: A full reset evening routine
Plan B: One grounding habit
Plan C: A deep breath and permission to rest
The goal is to help you change your mindset by adjusting your plan and focusing on what you have the ability to accomplish.
You're not lowering the bar. You're removing "all or nothing thinking" that has kept you stuck in the past, by reframing your mindset.
A Follow-Through affirmation could be: "I don't need perfection; I need something that fits my schedule today."
