Crafting a Year of Content: A 7-Day Planning Journey
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Chapter 1: The 7-Day Exercise
The recent passing of my fourth decade on this earth got me reflecting on my writing journey. About a year ago, I found myself considering ways to enhance my writing skills. After years of developing a gaming YouTube channel, I was wrapping up my final video for a comprehensive strategy guide. Alongside this, I was adjusting to my new home and managing the school routine for my eldest while also caring for my toddler. The need for stability for my children in our new community weighed heavily on my mind.
However, I had no clear plan for the year ahead. All I had was a fleeting notion… a vision… a dream. I resolved to dedicate the next year to a writing project, similar to many other content creators who have made strides in this space. Looking back, I'm grateful for that decision. As the year comes to a close, I'm taking seven days (not consecutively, but that’s a story for another time) to map out my upcoming year.
This is about establishing better structure, focus, and generating more meaningful outcomes. Here's a glimpse into what I'm currently working on until the year's end.
Day 1: Reflecting on the Past Year
Throughout the year, each month was marked with its own theme and challenges. Thankfully, I documented my progress on social media platforms, including the Elon platform, which I now refer to as Twitter/X. Reviewing these threads will take some time, and I still have two months left to complete this task.
For aspiring content creators, conducting a social media audit might be beneficial. The path to evolution is often clear, though the timeline for such a shift remains a topic of debate. Platforms like X simplify the process of exporting your data, while LinkedIn and YouTube may pose more challenges. While external metrics can be misleading indicators of quality, I approach these figures with caution.
On this first day, I’m also reflecting on what topics I genuinely enjoyed writing about and how well they resonated with my audience.
Day 2: Defining Objectives
I’m setting SMART goals for the coming year concerning my writing and content production. At times during this past year, I found myself fixated on subscriber counts or follower numbers by specific deadlines, which proved to be a detrimental mindset.
Moving forward, I plan to implement 90-day sprints with two or three output-focused goals, such as the number of articles or videos I aim to produce. I have historically struggled with goals, as deadlines often induce anxiety. Long-term commitments felt restrictive, though I’ve come to realize that a fulfilling life consists of projects approached with intent, focus, and presence.
If you share a similar aversion to commitments, it may be time to confront that discomfort and recognize that some of life’s most defining moments arise from these pursuits.
Day 2 is dedicated to establishing realistic goals for the upcoming year.
Day 3: Discovering My Persona
My writing has mostly reflected my everyday self—the routine version of me. However, this next year is going to be all about "Project Presence," both as a concept and an action.
While I’ll remain true to myself, I aim to elevate my persona. Think of it like the transformation of Beyoncé into Sasha Fierce or Bruce Wayne into Batman—there's a more vibrant version of me that can emerge in certain contexts, capturing people’s attention in ways my usual self may not.
Day 3 focuses on identifying that confident version of myself that would shine on stage, fully aware of my potential.
Day 4: Strategy for Content Creation
This past year has involved extensive reading, watching videos, and absorbing insights from brilliant creators to hone my voice. I've taken time to understand what I want to write about, and now I’m ready to refine how I express my experiences authentically.
I’ve categorized my writing approach into three tiers:
- Short form: Posts and shorts
- Medium form: Newsletters and articles
- Long form: YouTube videos and potentially a book
My previous stance of sticking to a single platform has shifted, especially with recent realizations about what truly matters to me. If I have something valuable to share, I should broadcast it widely and see what resonates.
Day 4 is all about outlining a sustainable way to share my thoughts and ideas.
Day 5: Execution Planning
Thus far, the focus has been on laying a solid foundation and outlining my strategy. Today, I will delve into the specifics of execution. I'll segment my plans into quarters, months, and weekly tasks.
For those familiar with Dan Koe's "Power Planner," this approach may sound familiar. I've utilized this system effectively this year but lacked direction until now. With "Project Presence" as my guiding vision, I aspire to treat every undertaking with the same professionalism I exhibited on stage. This planning process will serve to solidify my goals for the next year.
Each piece of content holds the potential for expansion, refinement, or repurposing. Everything counts, and everything can be documented.
Day 5 is where the finer details take shape and an actionable plan comes together.
Day 6: From Ideas to Implementation
This stage in my planning process wouldn’t be possible without significant groundwork laid in a section of the Elon platform called "Money X." This community has flourished, particularly during the pandemic, providing insights and resources for digital entrepreneurs.
If you're looking to build a side income or monetize your efforts, this stage may hold value for you. Today, I’m brainstorming the various offerings I can create. While I could have approached this earlier, my mindset wasn’t aligned at the start of my journey.
I’ll be outlining low, mid, and high-ticket offerings, maybe even one irresistible option, echoing the advice from entrepreneurs like Alex Hormozi and Russell Brunson.
Day 6 is about strategizing a lineup of products and services to emerge from my efforts in the coming year.
Day 7: Bringing It All Together
On this final day, I’ll consolidate everything from the past six days into a calendar format, mapping out my goals at each milestone. While it’s likely that things won’t unfold as planned, the adage holds true: "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail."
This day is dedicated to refining and adjusting the insights gathered throughout this intensive thought process. I’m excited to share this detailed plan with you so that you can embark on your own journey of self-discovery and planning.
Project Presence… launching soon!
This is a seven-day framework designed to kickstart anyone's journey for the upcoming year. However, a prerequisite for this process is having previously dedicated time to navigating your path independently.
Reflecting on the past year, I’ve made it through the first three days of this challenge. The key lies in maintaining momentum and not pausing between days, as too much can change in that time.
On Medium, I plan to offer two programs shortly:
- A seven-day self-discovery journey for aspiring writers
- A seven-day guide to strategizing a multi-faceted content creation approach
Like many aspiring content creators, I'm still figuring things out. I may not follow conventional business wisdom, but I’m diving in headfirst now that I’ve reached 40. This is my journey, and I hope what I share will support you in yours.
Thank you for reading to the end! Remember, not all microwaves heat food evenly, people rarely remember your last post, and your dog will always find a way to snatch that treat from your toddler’s hand, regardless of where they stand.
Chapter 2: Engaging with Fitness
In this chapter, we explore how planning workouts can enhance your overall content creation strategy.
This first video documents a personal challenge of committing to a 7-minute workout for a week. It raises the question: does this quick exercise routine actually yield results?
The second video offers insights on planning effective workouts over a week, which can be a valuable addition to your content creation process.