Episode 294
When Planning Becomes Procrastination (and What Actually Helps)
Ever find yourself “planning to plan”… and somehow never actually starting?
In this episode, Shannon and Janine talk about how perfectionism sneaks into planning—especially when the stakes feel high. What starts as wanting to be responsible (hello, disaster prep and estate planning) can quietly turn into overthinking, avoidance, and doing nothing at all.
With a real-life interruption (tornado sirens!) and a very relatable conversation, they explore what it actually looks like to move forward—without waiting for the perfect plan.
What We Talk About
- 02:08 — Sy’s first marathon and the joy of choosing to do (and support!) hard things
- 05:04 — Tornado sirens interrupt the recording
- 06:15 — How the interruption shifts the conversation to emergency preparedness
- 07:21 — Having supplies vs. having them accessible when it matters
- 07:54 — Why planning for disasters feels so tense and overwhelming
- 11:00 — “Planning to plan” as a form of procrastination
- 11:32 — Starting small: the go-bag and one simple first step
- 13:13 — Estate planning as another high-stakes thing we avoid
- 15:47 — Post-it notes, jars, and choosing a doable next action
- 17:48 — Perfectionism and the myth of the “right way”
- 20:07 — How this shows up in vacations, closets, and everyday life
Key Takeaways
- Perfectionism often shows up as planning—especially when something feels important or high-stakes.
- Waiting to figure out the “right way” can keep you from doing anything at all.
- Small, imperfect actions (like pulling out a backpack or writing a list) create momentum.
- You don’t need a perfect sequence—just a starting point that leads to the next step.
- This pattern shows up everywhere: disaster prep, estate planning, organizing, even vacations.
- “Anything is better than nothing” is a surprisingly powerful strategy.
The Bottom Line
When something matters, it’s easy to believe you need to get it exactly right. But that pressure is often what keeps you stuck. The truth is, there’s no perfect plan—just a series of small steps that build on each other. Start with something simple: pull out the backpack, write down a few ideas, pick one and do it. You can adjust as you go. For now, let “started” be enough.
Want More Like This
A foundational episode on why we put things off—even when they matter—and how to get moving again without overthinking it.
Episode 121: Productive Preparation
A great companion to this conversation about planning without getting stuck. Helpful if you tend to over-plan instead of take action.
Episode 240: Low-Hanging Fruit
A reminder that the easiest next step still counts. Especially useful when everything feels too big to start.
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- Leave us a voicemail: 413-424-GTGE (4843)
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- Email: gettingtogoodenough@gmail.com
