PLAN GOAL PLAN | Goals, Personal Growth, Time Management, Women Empowerment, Working Moms

Last week, we talked about whether play can be productive. This week, we're digging into different questions:
If play is important... why is it so hard to actually let ourselves do it? Why does rest feel uncomfortable? Why does fun feel like something we have to earn? And why do so many high-achieving women find themselves waiting for permission to stop, even when no one is asking them to keep going?
In this episode, I'm exploring:
why guilt around rest is often a learned response
how productivity culture shapes our relationship with play
the invisible ways women are socialized to earn rest and fun
why so many of us wait for external permission before taking care of ourselves
the "put on your shoes" principle and why action often comes before feeling ready
how over-functioning becomes a pattern we don't even notice
and why play is deeply connected to identity, self-trust, and knowing what you actually want
One of the biggest takeaways?
Permission isn't a feeling you wait for. It's a decision you make. The goal isn't just to make more time for play. The goal is to stop outsourcing your choices and start trusting yourself enough to honor what you need.
And maybe the next step isn't waiting until things slow down. Maybe it's putting on your shoes anyway. 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

This month on Plan Goal Plan, we’re talking about play, and honestly, I think a lot of us have forgotten how to do it.
Somewhere along the way, many high-achieving women learned that if something is serious, meaningful, or important… play has no business being there. That joy is earned. That rest has to be justified. That fun should come after the work is done.
But what if play isn’t the opposite of ambition?
What if it’s part of how we sustain it?
In this episode, I’m exploring:
whether play can actually support productivity and creativity
why so many women struggle to access play without guilt
the connection between play, nervous system regulation, and burnout
how achievement culture teaches us to treat play like a reward instead of a necessity
why planning your play may actually help you enjoy it more
and how play helps us stay connected to ourselves outside of our roles and responsibilities
I also share stories from teaching, motherhood, amusement parks, public speaking “play days,” and the ways play can become a form of resistance in a culture obsessed with output and proving yourself.
One of the biggest takeaways?
The women doing the biggest things long-term are not necessarily the ones sacrificing the most. They’re often the ones who have learned how to refuel.
And maybe play isn’t a distraction from your life.
Maybe it’s part of how you stay found inside of it.
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

Focus isn’t something you force. It’s something you create space for.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Tracy Hoth to talk about why so many smart, capable women feel mentally scattered… and how organization can actually help us reclaim our attention, energy, and peace.
And this conversation goes way deeper than bins and labels.
We talk about:
the connection between clutter and mental load
why physical environments impact focus and overstimulation
the identity stories that keep people feeling “messy” or disorganized
how delayed decisions create clutter in both our homes and our minds
why organizing starts with removing—not containing
how to create systems that actually work in real life
and how small maintenance rituals can completely change your home and routines over time
Tracy also walks us through her five-step SPACE method for organizing everything from physical spaces to calendars, digital clutter, and even our thoughts.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is the reminder that organization isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating enough space to focus on what actually matters.
And honestly? This episode feels like a deep exhale for anyone carrying too much mental load right now.
Connect with Tracy
Website: Simply Squared Away
Podcast: Organized Coach Podcast
 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

Perfectionism is loud. Invisible labor is constant. And focus can feel impossible when you’re carrying it all.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Monica Packer—host of About Progress, certified habits and identity coach, and author of the upcoming book Sticky Habits—to talk about what it really looks like to build habits that support women’s lives instead of working against them.
Monica shares her own journey from overachieving perfectionist to burnout, depression, and eventually discovering a more sustainable model for growth: progress over perfection.
We dive into:
why traditional habit advice often doesn’t work for women
how invisible labor impacts focus, consistency, and energy
the connection between perfectionism and all-or-nothing thinking
why flexibility—not rigidity—is the key to sustainable habits
how “baseline habits” help you stay consistent even on hard days
the difference between habits and routines
and why habits should support you instead of controlling you
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is Monica’s redefinition of consistency: doing your best most of the time over time—and letting your best change.
This episode is thoughtful, practical, validating, and honestly? A huge exhale for anyone who’s tired of feeling like they’re failing at habits that were never designed for real life in the first place.
Connect with Monica:
Podcast: About Progress — https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/about-progress/id1173416233
Website: https://www.aboutprogress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aboutprogress/
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

This month on Plan Goal Plan, we’re talking about focus and today, I’ve got something a little different for you.
Ryan’s back on the podcast, and we’re playing a game: agree, disagree, or complicate. Together, we’re digging into some of the biggest assumptions we make about focus, productivity, distraction, and deep work… and let’s just say we complicated almost all of them.
We get into:
whether focus is actually a finite resource
if multitasking is always a bad thing
why your environment matters (but maybe not as much as you think)
the myth of “winning the morning”
why notifications absolutely destroy focus
whether focus problems are really just a discipline issue
and what deep work actually means in real life
We also talk a lot about the tension between the kind of work we say we value and the kind of work we actually make space for.
One of my favorite parts of this conversation is how much it highlights that focus isn’t just about hacks or routines—it’s about understanding yourself, your rhythms, your environment, and the systems you’re operating inside of.
And yes… we also share some of our favorite focus tools and rituals right now (including the Brick, which we may or may not be obsessed with).
So if you’ve been feeling distracted, scattered, or frustrated with your ability to focus lately, this episode is for you. You do not need to become a productivity robot—you might just need a more honest framework.
Sign up for the 10 Day Finally Certain Challenge!
 https://plan-goal-plan.kit.com/finallycertain 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

You’ve tried the systems. You’ve tried the routines. And somehow… you’re still drifting.
In this episode, I’m naming exactly why—so you can stop blaming yourself and start doing something that actually works. Because if you can’t focus right now, it might not be a discipline problem. It might be a meaning problem.
We’re kicking off our May focus theme by digging into what’s really underneath distraction, burnout, and that feeling of constantly starting and stopping.
I walk through:
why distraction is often a symptom and not the root issue
the difference between burnout and demoralization (and why that matters)
how disconnection can keep you stuck
why focus tends to follow meaning instead of force
how identity shapes your attention, decisions, and direction
If you’ve ever felt like you keep circling the same idea but never act on it, there’s probably more going on beneath the surface than indecision.
The biggest shift? You don’t need to force more focus—you need to reconnect to what actually matters.
So if you’ve been feeling scattered, unfocused, or like you’ve lost the thread of what you want, this episode is for you. You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not behind—you might just be disconnected.
And that’s something we can work with. 
Sign up for the 10 Day Finally Certain Challenge!
 https://plan-goal-plan.kit.com/finallycertain 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

There’s a moment I see over and over again in my clients, students, and honestly, in myself too.
It’s that feeling of standing in the middle of something that’s already shifting and not knowing if you’re supposed to hold steady or move forward. And here’s the thing most of us don’t realize:
Those are two completely different skills.
In this episode, I’m wrapping up our month on change by sharing a few things I know to be true and giving you simple ways to apply them in your life right now. Because change is always happening, but not all change asks the same thing from you.
We explore:
The difference between change you didn’t choose vs change you’re calling in
Why some seasons require steadiness—and others require momentum
How to identify what this current season is asking of you
Why behavior change tools only go so far without identity work
How to write an identity statement that actually guides your decisions
Why identity isn’t something you find—it’s something you practice
How to balance strategy (your plan) with intuition (what feels aligned)
One of the biggest takeaways?
You don’t always need to push harder.
Sometimes you need to ground. Sometimes you need to move. And sometimes… you need to learn how to tell the difference.
If you’ve been feeling in-between, uncertain, or like something is shifting but you can’t quite name it—this episode is for you.
You’re not behind. You’re in it.
And that’s exactly where change begins.
 
Sign up for the 10 Day Finally Certain Challenge!
 https://plan-goal-plan.kit.com/finallycertain 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

Okay… let’s talk about that quiet feeling that something needs to change.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Michelle Schafer, and we’re diving into what it actually looks like to navigate change, especially when it’s unexpected.
And maybe it’s just the season we’re in… but spring has a way of making us pause and ask: is this still right for me?
Because whether you’re feeling stuck, burnt out, or just unsure about what’s next, it’s so easy to jump straight into action mode. To panic. To try to fix it as fast as possible.
But what if the most powerful thing you could do… is pause and create a plan?
In this conversation, we talk about:
Why panic applying keeps you stuck (even though it feels productive)
How to slow down and plan your next move with intention
The 5 reflection questions that help you get clear on what you actually want
How to identify work that energizes you—and what drains you
Why transferable skills matter more than you think
How to prepare for change before it happens
One of the biggest takeaways for me? Planning isn’t just about productivity—it’s personal development.
It’s how you reconnect with yourself. It’s how you realign your goals. It’s how you move forward without spiraling.
So if you’ve been feeling that pull toward something new—or wondering if it’s time for a reset—this episode is here to ground you.
Take a breath. You don’t have to rush this.
You can plan your next move with clarity. 
Connect with Michelle:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelleschafercoaching/
Website: https://mschafercoaching.ca/
Free Chapter (Cultivating Career Growth): https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/
Order the Book (Cultivating Career Growth): https://mschafercoaching.ca/cultivatingcareergrowth/
Free Tool (Career Focus Framework): https://mschafercoaching.ca/gain-clarity-and-confidence-in-your-job-search/
Book a Free Discovery Call: https://calendly.com/coaching-with-michelle-schafer
Email: michelle@mschafercoaching.ca
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

Okay… this conversation is one of those that just stays with you.
In this episode, I’m sitting down with Dr. Daniel Zinnel, and we’re diving into something I know so many of us wrestle with—why change can feel so hard… even when we really want it.
Because here’s the thing… we’ve been taught that change comes from trying harder, being more disciplined, or just getting more motivated.
But what if that’s not actually how it works?
We get into the deeper layers—identity, belonging, fear, and the internal work that actually leads to meaningful growth. And wow… it’s powerful.
Daniel shares his story growing up in small-town Iowa, navigating adversity, and how those experiences shaped the way he leads, sets goals, and creates impact in the world today.
We talk about:
Why real change often starts with identity (not effort)
How doing inner work can unlock clearer, more aligned goals
The role of relationships, trust, and psychological safety in growth
Why ambiguity (yes, the uncomfortable in-between) is actually where the magic happens
How bold, meaningful goals often emerge instead of being forced
One of my favorite parts? This idea that you don’t have to hustle your way into becoming someone new… you can root yourself in who you already are and grow from there.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, frustrated with your goals, or like you’re doing all the “right” things but not seeing change, this episode is going to hit.
Trust me… you’re going to walk away thinking about your goals in a completely different way.
Connect with Dr. Daniel Zinnel:
Website: https://www.proteusinc.net/ 
Email: danielz@proteusinc.net 
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com

Y’all… if you’ve ever set a goal and thought, “Why isn’t this actually changing anything?” This episode is going to hit a little different.
Today, I’m joined by my husband (and favorite conversation partner), and we’re diving into something I don’t think we talk about enough in the goal-setting space: What if the way we think about change is incomplete?
We’re bringing in insights from communication studies, rhetoric, and performance research—fields that don’t usually show up in personal development, but honestly should.
Because when you’re setting bold goals, what you’re really trying to do is create change and change is not as simple as setting the goal and following the plan.
In this episode, we talk about:
why most goal-setting advice misses how change actually works
the difference between incremental change and disruptive change
why small steps work sometimes… and sometimes they don’t
how disruption can unlock real transformation
what it means to “make the invisible visible” in your planning process
why planning is not just about time management, but awareness
how your identity and community shape whether you follow through
the surprising downside of sharing your goals publicly
why support systems matter more than motivation
how to think about “we goals,” not just “me goals”
We also share real examples—from global social movements to everyday life—that show how change actually happens when something finally sticks.
If you’re in a season where you’re setting big goals, trying to follow through, and wanting to grow without losing yourself in the process, this episode will give you a completely different lens.
Because it’s not just about what you do.
It’s about what you make visible, who you do it with, and whether your life actually supports the change you’re trying to create.
Connect with me:
Email: support@plangoalplan.com
Facebook Group: Join Here
Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334
Ready to begin? Schedule a chat about Simply Bold at plangoalplan.com