Plan for Great: How to Design a Day (and Life) You Love
- kayeadamson
- Dec 3, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 16
A great day doesn’t just “happen.” It’s created - on purpose, with intention, and with a mindset that supports who you want to be. When you plan for great, you’re choosing to shape your energy, your actions, and ultimately your life in a way that aligns with your values and your vision.
If you’ve ever ended a day feeling frustrated, overwhelmed, or like you “didn’t do enough,” you’re not alone. Most of us have been conditioned to measure our success by the length of our to-do list. But planning for greatness isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about deciding what truly matters - and setting yourself up to experience more of it.
In this blog post, inspired by my book An Ideal Day, we explore how to plan for great using mindset, clarity, and simple but powerful tools you can use every single day.
Why Planning for Great Matters
Your day is shaped by the intentions you set before it begins.
How do you want to feel?
What energy do you want to bring?
What outcome would make today a “good day” for you?
When you don’t plan for great, you default to reacting. You fall into busyness instead of purpose. You get caught in urgent tasks instead of meaningful ones.
But when you set the tone - emotionally, mentally, and practically - you step into your day with confidence and calm. You shift from hoping for a great day to creating one.
Why Results Lists Create a More Intentional Day
Long to-do lists create pressure, comparison, and self-judgment. Even worse, they often leave you feeling like a failure if you don’t complete everything - regardless of what you did achieve.
Instead, focus on results. Ask yourself:
What outcomes matter most today?
What would make today feel meaningful?
What emotional state do I want to experience?
A results list shifts your attention from tasks to impact. For example:
“Spend quality time with my kids”
“Move my body today”
“Have one focused hour of deep work”
“Add joy into my afternoon”
“Cook a nourishing meal for the family”
These outcomes are based on feeling, value, and experience, not arbitrary productivity.
This is what it means to plan for great.
Five Life Areas for Planning a Great, Intentional Day
Part of planning intentionally is knowing what “great” actually means to you. Consider these five key areas, and ask yourself: Where do I want to grow? What feels meaningful right now?
Health & Wellness
What routines, habits, or actions help you feel energised, grounded, and strong?
Think: movement, sleep, nourishment, self-care.
Career & Money
What goals excite you?
What habits support your financial wellbeing?
Think: saving, spending, career direction.
Fun & Happiness
Where does joy naturally show up for you?
What simple pleasures could you weave into your week? Think: passions, interests, hobbies, surroundings.
Relationships, Friendships & Love
Who fills your cup?
How can you nurture more connection, communication, or companionship? Think: friends, family, spouse, significant other.
Purpose, Spirituality & Meaning
What inspires you?
What legacy are you building?
What practice helps you feel grounded and aligned?
Think: meditation, reflection, gratitude, personal growth, contribution.
When you plan for great, you’re intentionally choosing to elevate these areas one small step at a time.
The 3 W’s: A Simple Framework for Everyday Greatness
To bring your plans to life, use the 3 W’s - a grounding tool from An Ideal Day.
WHAT - What do you want to achieve?
Clarity is powerful. But if you’re unsure where to start, choose one great thing for the day.
Small steps create big momentum.
WHY - Why does this matter?
Your “why” is your fuel.
It gives your goal meaning.
It drives you when motivation fades.
It strengthens your courage and resolve.
WHEN - When will you act?
Timing turns intention into action. Decide when you will do the thing - today, this week, or over the next month. If a goal feels overwhelming, break it into steps to maintain momentum.
How to Plan for Great - By Design, Not By Chance
Planning for great means approaching your day with foresight and purpose. Here’s a simple mindset blueprint:
Know Your Vision
What does “great” look like for you today?
More energy? More ease? A sense of achievement?
Know Your Priority
What is the one thing that matters most right now?
Let that anchor your decisions.
Know Your Challenges
Life will always throw curveballs.
Prepare for them.
Ask yourself: If stress or distraction shows up, how will I respond?
Know Your Presence
How do you want to show up today? Calm, focused, kind, joyful, purposeful?
Your presence is your personal power - it influences every interaction and experience.
How Planning for Great Shapes Your Ideal Life
Every ideal day begins with intention.
Every shift begins with awareness.
Every great outcome begins with a choice.
When you plan for great, you’re not just organising your schedule - you’re designing the emotional, mental, and energetic quality of your life. You’re choosing alignment over autopilot. You’re choosing impact over overwhelm. You’re choosing to create a life that feels good to live.
And the beautiful part? You only need to start with one small, meaningful step.
READY to turn your intentions into momentum? Take the next step now.
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