# Before You Plan: Reflecting on Where You've Been to Move Forward ![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/2pevd3vXMb8/maxresdefault.jpg) ## Introduction and Framework - The goal of the video series is to create a loose, simple, and flexible framework for the year ahead using the "pray, plan, do" framework [(00:00:06)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=6s). - The previous video in the series focused on surrendering the new year to the Lord, and it's never too late to stop and surrender all areas of life to [[God]], regardless of the time of year [(00:00:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=28s). - There are two types of people when it comes to planning: Type A's who love to plan and those who find planning overwhelming or unimaginable [(00:00:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=53s). - The "pray, plan, do" framework is a simple way to jump-start planning and get back on track, allowing for freedom to adjust as needed [(00:01:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=91s). - The host, Sarah, is an imperfect planner who has been overwhelmed by planning in the past and is sharing her approach to help others [(00:01:50)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=110s). - The mission of the channel is to make much of [[Jesus]] by helping women know, apply, and live the gospel, and to live on mission for God's glory [(00:02:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=121s). - The gospel is relevant to all areas of life, including planning, and no area of life should be compartmentalized or lived without purpose [(00:02:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=153s). - Before creating a plan for the year, it's essential to reflect on where you're starting from, and a free printable with helpful questions is available in the video description [(00:03:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=185s). - Many people make the planning mistake of not being honest with themselves about where they're starting from, and using simple questions can help re-center and adjust plans as needed [(00:03:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=237s). - The next step in the process is to reflect on where you've been before moving forward with planning, and this will be the focus of the current video [(00:04:30)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=270s). ## Reflecting on the Past - To move forward, it's essential to reflect on where you're at and be honest about your current life, responsibilities, and situation, which will help create a flexible plan for the future [(00:04:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=272s). - The Abundant Life planner and its framework can be used to help women move forward, which was created after years of struggle and finding that traditional planners didn't work [(00:05:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=302s). - The planner offers a variety of templates, including weekly, monthly, and daily layouts, to accommodate different seasons and needs [(00:05:49)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=349s). - Reflecting on the past year is crucial, whether it was filled with hardship, struggle, or mountaintop experiences, to understand where you've been and where you are currently [(00:06:57)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=417s). - Carving out space for reflection, even if it's just a few minutes, is essential to understand your starting point before moving forward [(00:06:44)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=404s). - The pray, plan, do framework is used, and before planning, it's necessary to reflect on where you've been, which involves answering simple questions [(00:07:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=472s). - The reflection process involves taking note of where you've been and where you are currently to determine your starting place and move forward effectively [(00:08:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=500s). - The reflection questions were created after walking through a series of hardships and feeling the need to reflect on the past before moving forward [(00:08:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=512s). - To move forward, it's essential to reflect on where you've been, and to do this, you can use a free printable or a notebook to write down and reflect on what went well in each area of your life, such as finances, home, family, hospitality, homemaking, self-care, health, and spiritual growth [(00:08:52)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=532s). - When reflecting on each area, think through what went well and what didn't, and be honest with yourself, even if the year hasn't been great, try to pinpoint one or two positive things in each category [(00:09:14)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=554s). ## Prioritizing and Focusing - After identifying what didn't go well in each area, put a star next to your greatest need right now, as this will help you focus on the most critical area that needs attention and will allow for growth and momentum to spill over to other areas [(00:11:41)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=701s). - If struggling in multiple categories, it's essential to prioritize spiritual growth and get your spiritual life right first, as this is the foundation for making progress in other areas, and the [[Bible]] teaches that the Lord should be the Lord of your life and first in everything [(00:13:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=782s). - By putting the Lord first, you'll receive the strength and ability to make progress in other areas, such as marriage, children, job, finances, and health, and remember that [[God]] should be first in everything [(00:13:35)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=815s). - To move forward, it's essential to align with God and make Him Lord of your life, which allows you to see and fit into other areas of your life, and He will give you the wisdom and ability to move forward [(00:13:54)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=834s). - When feeling overwhelmed with goals and progress, identify your greatest need and focus on that area first, then move on to the next area of greatest need once progress is made [(00:14:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=879s). - Ranking areas of greatest need can be helpful, starting with the most critical one, and then moving on to the next once progress is made, remembering that it's about surrendering to the Lord and asking for wisdom and ability to move forward [(00:15:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=910s). ## Remembering God's Faithfulness - As the year progresses, note the ways [[God]] is working in your life and the blessings He has bestowed upon you, and revisit His faithfulness to renew your mind with truth and bask in His goodness [(00:16:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=970s). - Reflecting on the past year, revisit the blessings God gave you throughout the year to fight battles of fear, anxiety, depression, sorrow, and grief by renewing your mind with what God has done in the past [(00:17:08)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1028s). - Look for how God revealed Himself to you last year, whether through His word, prayer, or someone speaking truth into your life, and remember that He may be calling you back home if you're in a season where God feels far away [(00:17:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1041s). ## Identifying Necessary Changes - To move forward, it's essential to identify the changes needed to make progress, as continuing with the same habits and choices will hinder progress [(00:18:46)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1126s). - Brainstorming what habits to get rid of or adopt, and what lifestyle changes are necessary, can help in making progress [(00:19:10)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1150s). - Reflecting on areas that didn't go well and thinking about what changes would be needed to make progress in those areas can be helpful [(00:19:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1180s). - Taking a practical approach and looking at problems from a logical standpoint, rather than an emotional one, can aid in finding solutions [(00:20:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1201s). - Evaluating current circumstances, identifying what's standing in the way, and asking good questions can help troubleshoot problems [(00:20:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1240s). - Breaking down problems into smaller, manageable parts, and thinking logically, can help in finding solutions [(00:21:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1281s). - Sometimes, problems may need to be revisited multiple times before they can be fully resolved [(00:21:40)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1300s). - Keeping a record of reflections and questions can be helpful in identifying what's going well and what areas need improvement throughout the year [(00:21:56)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1316s). - Reflecting on life and identifying stumbling blocks can help in moving forward and making progress [(00:22:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1331s). ## Seeking Guidance and Help - Asking for help and guidance from a higher power, such as through prayer, can provide wisdom and problem-solving abilities [(00:22:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2pevd3vXMb8&t=1348s).