A stitch in time saves me taking longer to do things last minute...

Have you ever realised you’ve forgotten to do something so you panic and start trying to do it and suddenly the world is utterly against you and everything goes wrong- like the internet drops out, you’re out of paper, the phone rings, the budgie needs feeding?

Unfortunately, we forget things, it happens but I can absolutely promise you that trying to then do it quickly will ultimately result in panic, stress and everything taking ten times longer.

I always find communication planning is like that, trying to do it ad hoc is the most stressful thing you can do and it adds layers of pressure into your already busy life. However, I am a firm believer in planning a month in advance and getting as much pre scheduled as possible.

Somebody asked me the other day how I do it, what clever tools I use, I let them in on my secret and I thought I’d do the same for you lot. I use, what I think, is the most effective tool in the world, low cost, really visual which I love (and my brain needs) and flexible.

Are you ready for this?

It’s called a pen... and a piece of paper.

Yeah, old school I know. But the honest truth is that I print out a blank calendar for the following month, grab and pen and some highlighters and create my plan. There might be scribbling, arrows moving things about and I might re-write as a neat, final version but for me getting that visual plan created is the most important thing.

I said low cost because I like nice, colour changing pens and pretty highlighters. I guess you could keep it super cost effective with a bic biro and leave it at that... to each their own.

My point is, plan ahead, it’s better in the long run I promise.