Plan It Out: Why Writing Action Items Helps You Win — No Matter Your Style or Setting

By

Pam Drzewiecki

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Whether you’re leading a team at work, managing a busy household, navigating life with your spouse, or caring for aging parents—having a plan helps everyone involved get on the same page. Taking time to pause and write out your action steps isn’t just helpful—it’s powerful. It transforms chaos into clarity and gives your energy direction.

As a Success Coach helping women thrive, I see it every day. Inside the Purpose Den, through group coaching programs or individual sessions, we work on building habits and plans that move you from where you are to where you want to be. Whether you’re someone who loves to organize or someone who resists structure, planning is a tool that works for you, not against you.

Here’s why writing out your plan and creating a simple list of action items is beneficial—no matter your personality type or life situation:

1. It Turns Mental Clutter into Clear Direction

Our minds are busy—especially when we’re holding space for others. From career responsibilities to home life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when everything lives only in your head. But when you stop and write down what needs to be done, it removes the pressure of trying to remember it all.

You don’t need a fancy system. Start with a simple list. Seeing it on paper helps you prioritize what truly matters—and brings peace to your day.

2. It Helps You See the Whole Picture

Not everyone is a visual person, and that’s okay. But there’s power in writing things out. It gives you a visual cue—whether that’s a daily list on the counter or a shared digital plan with your team or family. Even if planning feels uncomfortable at first, this small practice will bring alignment and reduce the “who’s doing what?” confusion.

If you’re navigating work projects, caregiving, or family schedules, this step is especially helpful. It invites clarity and shared understanding across all areas of life.

3. It Gives You Space to Celebrate Your Wins

So often, we move from task to task without realizing how much we’ve actually done. When you plan ahead and list action items, you can go back and mark off what you’ve accomplished. That checkmark? That’s proof of progress. And that matters—especially on hard days.

Wins come in all sizes—sometimes just making a call or setting a boundary is worth celebrating. Your list is your reminder that you are showing up, and you are moving forward.

Bonus Tip: Use a Simple SWOT to Get on the Same Page

A great tool to go along with planning is the SWOT analysis—looking at Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Whether you’re working with a team, your partner, or even making decisions for your family, this approach creates clarity.

  • Strengths: What’s working well? What do we bring to the table?
  • Weaknesses: Where are the gaps or struggles?
  • Opportunities: What can we grow, explore, or improve?
  • Threats: What could get in the way or create conflict?

This framework helps bring different perspectives together—so you can align goals, manage expectations, and avoid surprises. It’s efficient, effective, and invites honest communication.

I’m Here to Help You Thrive

As a coach, I meet you where you are. Whether you’re brainstorming your next steps, looking for ongoing support, or need a customized plan, I offer:

  • Group coaching through the Purpose Den Community
  • One-on-one coaching sessions for clarity and strategy
  • Custom programs designed around your life and your goals

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Together, we can create your personalized roadmap to thrive.

Next step: Take five minutes today. Write down your top three priorities and one recent win. You might be surprised how empowered you feel with just that small shift.

If you’re ready to go deeper, explore the Purpose Den or reach out for a session—I’d be honored to support your journey.

Jump on my calendar: https://calendly.com/powerful/letsconnect

Or email me: pam@powerful-purpose.com

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