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The self-help industry is a massive, multibillion-dollar market — and most of it is for entrepreneurs. It makes sense. We entrepreneurs are always looking to better ourselves, enjoy more freedom, and achieve that famous work–life balance. But too many self-help gurus focus on the planning rather than the doing.
Be honest: how many books and planners have you bought that are now gathering dust? Have you ever tried to form some healthy habits only to fall back into your Netflix-and-pizza routine a few days later?
The problem with these self-help “hacks” is that they’re essentially Band-Aids for the problem. To truly strike a balance, you need more than a plan. You need a blueprint.
Planning vs. Mapping
Many people love planning because it feels like getting something done. Don’t get me wrong: it’s important to make lists and identify your goals. But where many people struggle is in putting those plans into action.
So, you need more than a list. You need a plan to implement your new habits. You need to map out the tasks that support your goals.
Think of it as the difference between an architect’s rendering of a house and the actual blueprint. The rendering gives you the big picture: what kind of life do you want? What’s the overall shape and style?
