Plan Your Work & Work Your Plan: How a Simple Strategy Can Change Everything for You

Aug 18, 2025

by Kristina Karlsson

If you’ve been around for a while, you know I’m a big believer in the power of dreaming big. But dreaming is only the beginning.

There’s a beautiful magic that happens when we take those dreams and turn them into a plan. That’s what this recent podcast episode was all about - the timeless wisdom of Napoleon Hill’s quote:

"Plan your work and work your plan."

It’s simple, it’s profound, and if you embrace it, it can change your life - just like it’s changed mine.

The Beginning of Everything

My dream life started with a piece of paper and a 3 a.m. question: What do I want for my life?

I scribbled down things that felt bold and far away - and looking back, that simple act of planning became the foundation of everything I’ve created since.

That’s why I love this quote so much.

It captures the heart of what we do here at Dream Life - helping you not just dream, but do.

Why Planning Matters (More Than You Think)

We often set big goals in January, full of energy and excitement. But then life happens. Things get busy. Motivation fades.

This is why quarterly planning is a game-changer.

Every 90 days, you have a beautiful opportunity to reset, refocus, and recommit.

You don’t need to have everything figured out. Just your next steps. That’s enough.

Planning helps us bring clarity to our dreams. It gives our ideas shape and structure, turning the abstract into the actionable.

Quarterly Planning: The Real Secret to Momentum

We’re heading into the last quarter of 2025 - can you believe it?

Now is the perfect time to pause and ask:

What do I want to be celebrating by December 31st?
What three things would make this next quarter feel amazing?
What’s one small step I can take today to move toward that vision?

Taking time to ask these kinds of questions grounds us. It brings us back to why we started, and helps us take aligned action - even if the steps are small.

Inside my Dream Life Coaching Program, we’ll be doing exactly that in September. I’ll be walking you through my own quarterly planning process - the same one I’ve used for years to keep my dreams alive and moving.

And I’d love you to join me.

What If You Fall Off?

This is the part where so many of us get stuck. We make a plan, then something happens - kids get sick, work gets busy, motivation dips.

The truth is, you don’t need to be perfect.

You just need to keep showing up.

When life throws you off (because it will), your plan is there to guide you back.

You don’t have to start over - you just pick up where you left off.

That’s the beauty of having a structure in place. It’s like having a compass for your dream life.

Planning Can Feel Light (Not Heavy)

I know planning can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re already stretched thin. But it doesn’t have to feel that way.

When done with heart, planning can feel hopeful. Empowering. Like giving yourself permission to chase what you truly want.

This is how we approach planning in the Dream Life Coaching community - with clarity, simplicity, and joy.

Five Key Insights From This Week’s Episode

Big dreams require clear plans.
Dreaming is powerful - but dreaming and planning is transformative.
Quarterly planning helps you stay on track.
Every 90 days, you get a fresh chance to reset, even if things haven’t gone perfectly.
Your plan doesn’t need to be perfect.
You just need a next step. And then another. That’s it.
Planning gives you something to return to.
When life happens (and it will), your plan becomes your anchor.
You are not behind.
It’s never too late to realign, refocus, and dream again.

💛 Want help creating your plan?

Join me this September in the Dream Life Coaching Program where I’ll guide you through the entire process with love and clarity.

👉 Click here to learn more

Let’s make this last quarter of the year your most aligned and intentional yet.

Remember - dream it, plan it, and then work your plan - one beautiful step at a time.

With love,

💛