Courage & Clarity Podcast - Episode 119 Summary

Title: 15-Minute Weekly Planning Method (Updated!): 4 Steps to Prioritize, Focus & Grow Your Business
Host: Steph Crowder
Release Date: March 3, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 119 of the Courage & Clarity podcast, host Steph Crowder delves into her meticulously crafted 15-Minute Planner Method, a time management system she has honed over nearly a decade. Crowder emphasizes the importance of balancing courage to take bold steps with the clarity to implement straightforward, effective strategies. This method is designed to help entrepreneurs and business owners prioritize tasks, focus on growth, and ultimately expand their businesses efficiently.

The 15-Minute Planner Method Overview

Crowder introduces her 15-Minute Planner Method, a system that enables individuals to plan their entire workweek in just fifteen minutes. Developed in 2017, this method has been instrumental in her ability to manage a multi six-figure business while juggling personal responsibilities, such as being a mother of two. She highlights the method's adaptability and its proven success, having been adopted by over 10,000 users.

"This system for planning your time, managing your time, prioritizing and getting stuff done has seen me through so many seasons of my life." – [00:45]

The Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand Analogy

A significant portion of the episode centers around the Rocks, Pebbles, and Sand analogy—a fundamental principle borrowed from a college professor's demonstration. Crowder uses this analogy to illustrate effective time management:

• Rocks: Represent big commitments or fixed appointments (e.g., meetings, family events) that must be scheduled first.
• Pebbles: Symbolize Growth-Based Actions (GBAs), which are crucial for business growth but often neglected due to their non-urgent nature.
• Sand: Denote administrative tasks that, while necessary, can consume time if not managed properly.

"Just because you buy the fancy tool and you have the beautiful kitchen doesn't mean that you're actually making the dinner, that you're actually fulfilling the task of getting it done." – [04:00]

Step-by-Step Guide to the 15-Minute Planner Method

1. Brain Dump

The first step involves offloading all tasks from your mind onto paper. This includes personal and professional responsibilities, ensuring nothing is forgotten.

• How to Execute:
  • Draw a vertical line down your paper, dividing it into two columns.
  • In the right column, titled Brain Dump, list every task that comes to mind, regardless of priority or urgency.

"Get everything out on paper... Personal projects, work projects, everything in your darn brain." – [17:30]

2. Scheduling Big Rocks

Next, identify and schedule your big commitments—the rocks. These are non-negotiable appointments and obligations that occupy fixed times in your calendar.

• How to Execute:
  • In the left column, label it This Week, and list out your scheduled commitments.
  • Ensure all fixed appointments are accounted for before moving on to other tasks.

"These are your big rocks, because we first need to identify what time do you even have to work on things." – [22:15]

3. Incorporating Growth-Based Actions (Pebbles)

Growth-Based Actions are the essential tasks that drive business growth but don't have urgent deadlines. Crowder emphasizes their importance as the "gasoline in your car."

• How to Execute:
  • From your brain dump, highlight or mark GBAs with an asterisk or another symbol.
  • Allocate dedicated time slots in your calendar for these pebbles, ensuring they receive the attention they deserve.
  • Examples include creating content, developing new products, or strategic marketing initiatives.

"Growth-based actions are the gasoline in your car. Eventually, the gas is going to run out if we're not putting gas in it." – [28:50]

4. Adding Administrative Tasks (Sand)

Administrative tasks are necessary for daily operations but should be time-boxed to prevent them from overwhelming your schedule.

• How to Execute:
  • Identify ongoing tasks like email management, social media updates, and client follow-ups.
  • Batch these tasks into specific time blocks (e.g., one hour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings) to enhance efficiency.
  • Avoid continuously checking emails or social media to maintain focus on higher-priority tasks.

"You have to really commit and this is where discipline is required to only doing your sand tasks... Just like going down the rabbit hole." – [35:20]

Implementing Flexibility and Adjusting the Plan

Crowder acknowledges that life is unpredictable, especially for entrepreneurs managing both personal and professional spheres. She advises incorporating flexibility into your planning:

• Strategies:
  • Use tools like Google Calendar to visualize and adjust your schedule easily.
  • In case of disruptions (e.g., a sick child), reassess and shift tasks, prioritizing GBAs over sand.
  • Start the next week's planning midway through the current week to stay ahead.

"When life gets crazy... you have already prioritized your week, so you can really look at it and let something go or get bumped to next week." – [46:00]

Tips and Updates on the Method

Steph Crowder shares several tips to enhance the effectiveness of the 15-Minute Planner Method:

• Use Visual Aids: Download her 20-page PDF from stephcrowder.com/plan for visual guidance, including examples of her notebook and real-life applications.
• Digital Integration: While paper planning is traditional, she recommends integrating with digital tools like Google Calendar or using an iPad for those who prefer digital planning.
• Batch Processing: Group similar tasks to maintain focus and improve productivity.
• Review Commitments: Regularly reassess your scheduled commitments to avoid overcommitting.

"We've got absolutely no time for bs... Just sustainable business strategies for good humans with big dreams." – [01:00]

Conclusion and Encouragement

Crowder concludes the episode by reiterating the transformative potential of the 15-Minute Planner Method. She encourages listeners to embrace this system to achieve greater productivity and business growth. Additionally, she invites feedback and engagement through social media, emphasizing community support.

"I literally have so many people who are like, I've never gotten this much done before and it truly is because of the prioritization that rocks, pebbles, and sand really gives us." – [58:30]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• [00:45] "This was the only thing that I had ever tried that moved the needle forward in my business."
• [04:00] "Just because you buy the fancy tool and you have the beautiful kitchen doesn't mean that you're actually making the dinner."
• [17:30] "Get everything out on paper... Personal projects, work projects, everything in your darn brain."
• [22:15] "These are your big rocks, because we first need to identify what time do you even have to work on things."
• [28:50] "Growth-based actions are the gasoline in your car. Eventually, the gas is going to run out if we're not putting gas in it."
• [35:20] "You have to really commit and this is where discipline is required to only doing your sand tasks... Just like going down the rabbit hole."
• [46:00] "When life gets crazy... you have already prioritized your week, so you can really look at it and let something go or get bumped to next week."
• [58:30] "I've never gotten this much done before and it truly is because of the prioritization that rocks, pebbles, and sand really gives us."

Final Thoughts

Episode 119 of Courage & Clarity offers a comprehensive guide to efficient weekly planning tailored for entrepreneurs with limited time. Steph Crowder's 15-Minute Planner Method provides a structured yet flexible approach to managing commitments, fostering business growth, and maintaining administrative responsibilities without feeling overwhelmed. By adopting this method, listeners can achieve a harmonious balance between bold actions and clear, actionable strategies, paving the way for sustainable business success.