Hey, Reader!

It’s January 30. We’re almost through the first month of 2026, and if you’re like a lot of people I talk to, you’ve already felt the shift.

The shiny New Year’s excitement has worn off. Some habits stuck, some slipped. Maybe you restarted a few times. Maybe you’re wondering why your to-do list still feels like a weight instead of a map.

Here’s the question I hear most often from clients and listeners: “Mark, can you teach me how to plan better?”

My answer always surprises them: “No. Not yet. First we need to figure out your why.”

Most people start at the wrong end. They open their calendar or planner and ask, “What should I schedule?” Then they try to fill it with “productive” stuff—meetings, tasks, workouts, side hustles. But without a clear why and solid goals, it’s just busywork dressed up as progress. That’s why so many feel overwhelmed even when they’re “organized.”

I used to live in that trap. I’d block my day wall-to-wall, chase every new productivity hack, and still end up frustrated. Then I flipped the order, and everything changed.

The Right Order: Why → Goals → Plan

1. For me, my why is rooted in serving people—helping them stop feeling overwhelmed so they can live with more peace and purpose. That’s bigger than any tactic. When the why is clear, decisions get easier.
   • Why do you want to protect your evenings with family?
   • Why do you want to build that business or finish that book?
   • Why does it matter to you personally?
2. Keep them clear, meaningful, and tied back to the why.
   • If your why is deeper family connection, a goal might be “no work after 6 p.m. three nights a week.”
   • If it’s growing your business, maybe “book two speaking gigs this quarter.”
3. Plan Only now do you open the calendar. Block time for the goals first—protect those blocks like they’re sacred appointments. The rest of the day fills in around them.

When you reverse the order (plan → goals → why), you end up with a packed schedule that doesn’t reflect what really matters. When you start with why, the plan becomes a servant, not a master.

A Light Spiritual Anchor

This isn’t just productivity advice—it’s stewardship. Ephesians 2:10 says we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Our purpose isn’t something we invent; it’s something we discover in relationship with Him. When our why aligns with the calling He’s placed on our life, productivity stops being about proving ourselves and starts being about faithful obedience. And when we stumble? Grace is there (Psalm 103:14—He knows our frame). We don’t have to be perfect; we just have to keep returning to the why.

Quick Real-Life Example

I limit myself to two coaching calls a day, never back-to-back. Why? Because my deeper why is to serve each client with full presence and energy. That’s the goal. The plan flows from it: no more than two slots, with breathing room between. It’s not about “maximizing revenue”; it’s about serving well. The right clients still show up.

Your January 30 Reset

Before February hits, take 20 minutes to do this simple exercise:

1. Write your why (one clear sentence).
2. List 3–5 goals that directly support that why.
3. Block time on your calendar for those goals first—start small if you need to.

That’s it. No fancy apps required. Just clarity.

Reflection Questions

• If you stripped away all the “shoulds,” what’s the real why behind your biggest goal right now?
• Where are you planning without purpose—spending time on things that don’t move the needle?
• How might Jesus be inviting you to realign your days with the good works He prepared for you?

Action Steps

1. Grab a notebook (it’s National Handwriting Day—perfect timing) and write your why.
2. List your 3–5 goals tied to it.
3. Block the first small step on your calendar for next week.
4. Enjoy a slice of pie (it’s National Pie Day) as grace for the journey. You’re not behind—you’re just getting clearer.

I’m walking this with you, one faithful step at a time. Let’s finish January strong and head into February with purpose, not just busyness.

Mark
Mister Productivity
Host of The Mister Productivity Podcast (listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts).

P.S. If you’re ready for productivity that sticks—rooted in faith and fueled by action—my 90-day coaching spots are open. Let’s talk. Reply with I'M READY!