This blog was originally sent as an email to my subscribers on January 16, 2026. This is an archive, so it’s possible some links are missing or expired. If you want me to deliver these emails directly to your inbox, click here to join my email list.
Subject: a plan without a vision is just someone else’s to-do list
Who doesn’t like a well-organized plan?
Knowing what to do next without having to think about it is a gift in a world that is constantly demanding more of your attention.
Having a plan also makes it easier to complete really big projects.
For example, creating Sabbatical School and designing the Press Pause workshop simultaneously has been a gargantuan amount of work in a short amount of time. The vision was clarified in October; we started working earnestly on the project in November; and now, in mid-January, we’re prepping next week’s workshops and preparing to open enrollment for Sabbatical School on Monday!
We did it with ease (for the most part) because we had a step-by-step plan to follow. Without it, there’s no way we’d be where we are today.
But here’s my big secret…
The plan was only effective because my vision was crystal clear.
I’ve been holding the seed of this idea since 2021 — just waiting for the timing to feel aligned to bring it to life. The waiting can be excruciating!
But every time I started to work on the project, it felt forced. I had more questions than answers. There was zero ease. It felt like chopping vegetables with fogged-up glasses. Truly a recipe for disaster.
The vision was not clear enough to proceed. Full stop.
When we feel pressure to do something meaningful now, it’s easy to bypass the visioning phase and jump straight into logical planning — especially in the business world.
As entrepreneurs, we’re taught that having a plan is the ticket to success.
>> Build it, and they will come.
>> Decide what you want to do, and do it well.
>> Make an annual plan, and you will reach your goals.
But are the goals you’re working towards actually meant for you?
Or are you following instructions — doing the logical thing you’re supposed to be doing, or making a plan based on what someone else told you was a good idea?
If the vision isn’t coming from inside of you, don’t waste your time.
Otherwise, your big plan will go…
.. right in your face. (Speaking from experience here.)
Here’s the truth:
A plan without a vision is just someone else’s to-do list.
Do you want to spend the rest of the year checking boxes off of somebody else’s to-do list? No! Of course you don’t!
You want to nurture your vision — the ideas, offerings, and projects that want to come through you. You want to spend your time doing work that feels aligned, exciting, and so meaningful you shed tears of happiness just thinking about getting to do it.
But cultivating a soul-level vision is hard to do when you’re running the rat race inside of our capitalist system. Like, really hard.
That’s why I’m hosting the Press Pause workshop.
During the workshop, I’ll guide you through a journey to illuminate your vision. The amazing thing about being human is that we always have a vision that’s ready to bloom.
You just need to press pause on the busyness of life long enough to see it, feel it, and let it know that, yes, you’re ready to bring it forward.
You can read all about the workshop here.
And then, join me on Monday at 3pm PT or next Friday, 1/23 at 9am PT.
I am so excited to do this work together.
Here’s to YOUR vision for the year ahead,
Maegan
