Launching a business is exciting, but it can also feel like there’s a hundred things pulling at your attention. The truth is, you don’t need to do everything at once. What you need is a simple checklist that keeps you focused on the essentials.
This guide walks you through the 10 key steps every entrepreneur should tick off before, during, and right after launch. Follow them and you’ll avoid overwhelm, save money, and move with confidence.
Starting a business can feel overwhelming. You know you need a plan, but the thought of writing a 40-page document makes most people quit before they’ve even begun. That’s why thousands of entrepreneurs now use a one-page business plan.
It’s quick, focused, and gives you clarity without the fluff. You’ll walk away with a roadmap you can actually use — not a binder that sits on the shelf.
There’s a point in business where doing more just stops working.
You’re ticking off tasks, filling every hour, answering emails late at night, and yet the results don’t match the effort. You’re constantly busy, but you’re not moving forward in the way you want to.
That’s exactly where I found myself.
And the change that helped me grow wasn’t a fancy system, new productivity hack, or clever app. It was something much simpler and more uncomfortable.
I stopped trying to do it all.
And I started choosing better.
You’ve probably heard the phrase:
“Time-block your day or your day will run you.”
And it’s true. Time-blocking is one of the simplest ways to take control of your day instead of reacting to everything flying at you.
But let’s be real — it can feel a bit intimidating at first.
For a lot of people, time-blocking sounds rigid. It seems like something you have to follow perfectly, down to the minute. And when things don’t go to plan (which they often don’t), you feel like you’ve failed.
That’s not the point of it at all.
Time-blocking isn’t about following a strict schedule.
It’s about creating focus and protecting what matters most.
We hear it all the time:
“Keep it simple.”
“Simplicity is key.”
“Make it easy to use.”
And while that sounds like smart advice… it’s also one of the hardest things to actually pull off.
Because the truth is:
Simple is hard. Really hard.
It’s easy to add more.
More features. More pages. More options.
More “just in case” extras that end up confusing people instead of helping them.
What’s hard is the opposite:
Cutting. Clarifying. Stripping it back to only what matters.
Making something feel so intuitive that no one even notices how much work went into it — because it just works.
Because staying organised shouldn’t feel like a luxury.
When I created this planner, I wasn’t trying to build a product.
I was trying to survive a season of chaos — and I needed something that helped.
Something that felt supportive. Centring.
Something I could turn to even on the hardest days.
Something that didn’t add pressure — but helped take it off.
I couldn’t find it.
So I built it.
You bought the planner. You’ve got the pens. You’ve even set goals and blocked out your week.
But if you’re still feeling scattered, stuck in overthinking mode, or constantly rewriting the same to-do list, this might be the missing link:
👉 Pair your planner with ChatGPT.
It’s like adding a second brain — one that organises your ideas, breaks down your goals, and helps you plan smarter in a fraction of the time.
In this post, I’ll show you exactly how to use ChatGPT alongside your paper or digital planner to get more done, with less stress. No tech obsession. No fluff. Just a better way to plan your days, weeks, and months.
(And yes, there’s a free planner at the end to help you fix it)
You sit down to relax. Maybe you're at the gym, watching a film, spending time with your kids, or just trying to switch off after a long day.
But your mind? It’s still running:
✔️ Did I reply to that email?
✔️ I need to follow up with that client. ✔️ I forgot to post today...
✔️ I should update the website… but when?
Ever feel like you're working nonstop, but at the end of the day, you haven’t made real progress? You’re not alone. Most people are stuck in a cycle of busyness, mistaking constant activity for productivity. The truth? Being busy and being productive are not the same thing. Here’s why—and what you can do about it.
Turning an idea into a thriving business requires more than just inspiration—it takes strategy, action, and resilience. Too often, entrepreneurs get stuck in the planning phase, overthinking every detail instead of taking tangible steps forward. If you’ve got an idea but don’t know where to start, this framework will help you move from concept to execution with confidence.
Do you ever feel like you’re constantly busy but not making real progress? The culprit might not be a lack of motivation—it could be distractions stealing your focus. Every time you get interrupted, your brain takes 23 minutes and 15 seconds to refocus on the task at hand. That’s not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a major productivity killer.
In a world of endless notifications, emails, and instant messages, learning how to manage distractions is the key to deep focus and real productivity. In this article, we’ll explore the science behind distractions and how to take back control of your time.
Ever feel mentally drained before your day even begins? You’re not alone. It’s not laziness, and it’s not a lack of motivation—it’s decision fatigue.
Decision fatigue occurs when your brain gets overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices you make throughout the day, leading to exhaustion, poor decision-making, and decreased productivity. The most successful and productive people don’t just work harder—they work smarter by simplifying their lives and reducing unnecessary decisions.
Building life-changing habits isn’t about big, dramatic overhauls—it’s about the small, consistent actions you take every day. James Clear’s Atomic Habits breaks down the science of habits and how tiny changes can lead to extraordinary outcomes. Here are the most impactful lessons from the book and how you can apply them to your life.
Did you know that 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts? It’s the Pareto Principle, and it’s the ultimate game-changer for productivity and planning.
Here’s the thing: Not all tasks are created equal. Some are high-impact—they create big results. Others? Low-impact—they keep you busy but don’t really move the needle. The key to productivity is focusing on the tasks that truly matter and ditching the ones that don’t.
When a leader in the Virtual Assistant (VA) industry integrates MY PA into their toolkit, it’s truly an honour. Amanda Johnson, a respected VA coach, mentor, and trainer, has been using MY PA since 2020 to stay organised, strategic, and focused. Her approach reveals how MY PA serves as a valuable tool for business growth and personal clarity.
In an era where digital devices have become essential tools for creativity and productivity, the iPad stands out as a versatile companion for students, professionals, and entrepreneurs alike. However, many users seek a more tactile experience that replicates the feel of traditional paper. Enter Paperlike, a screen protector designed specifically for this purpose. In this article, I’ll explore how Paperlike enhances the iPad experience, particularly for those using planners like MY PA.
Let’s face it: a large majority of people quit on planning.
They start with good intentions, armed with goals and the best tools. But as life gets busy, planning slips down the priority list. Days turn into weeks, and before long, they’re off track, feeling overwhelmed and stressed again, wondering what went wrong.
The truth is, the people who succeed aren’t necessarily working harder – they’re just sticking to their plan. Planning isn’t a one-time task; it’s a commitment to yourself, your business, and the life you want.
Ever feel like no matter how hard you try to fit everything in, you just can’t seem to get it all done? Your to-do list keeps growing, and the more you try to manage your time, the more overwhelmed you feel. It’s a common problem that many of us face every day—thinking we can achieve more than we actually can in the limited time we have.
But what if you could change that? What if you could be more realistic about your time and finally feel in control of your schedule?
Sticking to a planning routine can be a game-changer in managing your time, achieving your goals, and reducing stress. But even with the best intentions, it’s easy to let planning slip through the cracks. Here’s a detailed guide on how to make your planning routine a non-negotiable part of your daily life. Let’s dive in!
