Ever wonder what happens AFTER someone sets their goals? Well, buckle up because I'm pulling back the curtain on how I'm planning 2026—the messy parts, the exciting parts, and everything in between!

In this episode, I'm sharing my complete goal-setting process, from the journaling I started back in October (yes, October!) to how I'm turning big dreams into actual calendar blocks. You'll hear about the weekend my husband and I spent mapping out our family goals, why I only set 8 goals a year, and the exact system I use to move from "wouldn't it be nice" to "this is actually happening."

Here's what we're covering:

• How to move goals from ideas to your actual calendar (this is where the magic happens!)
• My framework for choosing just 2 goals per quarter instead of overwhelming yourself with 12
• The difference between planning in your natural rhythms vs. fighting against them
• Why starting early doesn't mean having it all figured out (I'm still working on my word of the year!)

Plus, I'm announcing some BIG changes coming to Plan Goal Plan in 2026:

• Monthly themes for every episode (January is all about "Begin"!)
• More solo episodes where you get my unfiltered thoughts
• Guest episodes with major authors (January's guest is chef's kiss)
• New quarterly retreats and intimate group coaching cohorts

If you're a woman in a high-pressure job who wants to pursue bold goals without losing yourself—even when life feels banana pants—this episode is your permission slip to plan with intention AND lightness.

Ready to make 2026 your year? Let's do this together.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals)
• Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner
• Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats)

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

In this episode, I sit down with Dan Cumberland, the founder of The Meaning Movement and Dan Cumberland Labs, to explore a different side of artificial intelligence. Instead of just talking about how AI can make us faster or more productive, we dive into how it can actually help us slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most.

I share my own experiences and questions about using AI for deeper thinking, journaling, and aligning my daily actions with my values. Dan brings his unique journey from ministry and psychology to entrepreneurship and AI consulting, and together we discuss:

• Why adopting new tech sometimes makes us busier, not freer
• How I use AI as a mirror for self-reflection, not just a productivity tool
• Dan’s “POWER” framework for integrating AI into your workflow with intention
• Real-life ways I use AI for journaling, coaching, and surfacing deeper insights
• The importance of being intentional and clear about your values when working with AI
• How AI can support (or sometimes challenge) our intuition and creativity
• Practical examples from both my family life and business

If you’ve ever felt curious about AI but worried about losing your humanity in the process, this conversation is for you. I hope it helps you find new ways to use technology as a tool for awareness and meaning.

Connect with Dan:

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dancumberland
• Dan Cumberland Labs: dancumberlandlabs.com
• The AI Training Guide: aitrainingguide.com

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

Ever wondered what would happen if you stopped running on fumes and started living on purpose? Well, you’re in the right place! In this episode, I get to chat with the amazing Kerri Patt—a coach, podcast host, and all-around champion for working moms who want to reclaim their calm, set boundaries that actually stick, and find rhythms that nurture both ambition and wellbeing.

Kerri and I go way back, and I just adore her energy and wisdom. She shares her wild ride from managing properties in NYC during Hurricane Sandy (yes, really!) to realizing she needed to make some big changes for herself and her family. We talk about the messy, beautiful journey of setting boundaries at work and at home, the myths about time management (spoiler: four hours of deep work is NOT a thing for most moms!), and how to celebrate those tiny wins that add up to big changes.

We also get real about saying “no” (even when you want to say yes to everything!), giving yourself grace, and teaching our kids that every day is a fresh start. If you’re a working mom, a dreamer, or just someone who wants to live a little more intentionally, this episode is for you!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• My favorite tips for setting boundaries (and why it’s so hard!)
• Kerri’s story of finding purpose after burnout
• How to spot your biggest time-wasters (hello, Instagram and TV!)
• The magic of morning routines and “top three” priorities
• Why saying “no” can be the most loving thing you do for yourself
• How to start small and build momentum toward your big dreams

So grab your coffee, pop in those earbuds, and let’s dive in together! 💖

Connect with Kerri

• Website:https://www.momwifecareerlife.com/
• Podcast: Mom Wife Career Life
• Freebies: https://www.momwifecareerlife.com/freebies/
• Social: https://www.instagram.com/mom.wife.career.life/
• Email: momwifecareerlife@gmail.com

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

Hey friends, Danielle here! In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Yvonne Trost—transformational leader, happiness coach, and co-founder of Limitless You. Yvonne’s journey from divorce and single parenting to leaving a successful career for her true calling is nothing short of inspiring.

We dive deep into the myths around self-love (spoiler: it’s not selfish!), how our subconscious programming shapes our lives, and why upgrading your mental “software” is essential for real success. Yvonne shares practical wisdom on building self-trust, breaking free from limiting beliefs, and daring to dream beyond your current reality.

You’ll hear us talk about:

• The difference between self-love and selfishness
• How childhood conditioning impacts adult decisions
• The “realize, recode, rewrite” method for personal transformation
• Why honesty with yourself is the first step to change
• How to move from autopilot to aligned living

If you’ve ever felt stuck, doubted your worth, or wondered if you’re truly living your purpose, this conversation is for you. Yvonne’s story and actionable advice will help you see that you are, in fact, limitless.

Ready to break free from old patterns and step into your most authentic self? Let’s do it!

Connect with Yvoone:

• Website: https://unlocklimitlessyou.com/

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

Welcome to this episode where I get real about time blindness—why it happens, why it’s not your fault, and how I’ve learned to work with it instead of against it. As a woman who juggles multiple calendars and responsibilities, I know firsthand how slippery time can feel. I’ll share my own experiences, the science behind why our brains struggle with time, and three ritual-based strategies that have helped me (and my clients) make time visible and tangible.

You’ll learn:

• Why time blindness is neurological and cultural, not a personal failure
• How modern life and multiple roles make it harder for women to “see” time
• My favorite rituals for externalizing time: visual timers, time mapping, and event-based anchors
• The importance of community, shared rhythms, and collective support

If you’re ready to stop feeling guilty and start working with your brain (not against it), this episode is for you. I also share ways you can join my community, from group coaching to retreats, so you never have to do this alone.

Ready to reset your relationship with time? Let’s do this together!

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

In this episode, I sit down with Michelle Gauthier—life coach, podcast host, and former corporate leader—who has made it her mission to help busy women like us reclaim peace, purpose, and balance. Michelle shares her own story of moving from corporate burnout and overcommitment to building a life filled with intention, spaciousness, and joy.

We dive into:

• How to recognize the signs of burnout and overwhelm in your own life
• The hidden costs of people-pleasing and perfectionism (and how I’ve struggled with them too)
• Creating and sticking to a “to-don’t” list that actually frees up your time
• Real strategies for saying no and setting boundaries, even when it feels uncomfortable
• The power of making decisions from your future self, not just your present circumstances
• Tools and mindsets I use (and Michelle teaches) for managing stress and building resilience
• Michelle’s “Love and Fit Test” for managing your calendar and commitments
• Inspiring client stories and actionable tips you can use right away

Michelle also offers a free “Overwhelm Audit” quiz to help you pinpoint the root cause of your stress, plus resources to help you start your journey toward a more balanced, fulfilling life. If you’re ready to break the cycle of overcommitment and step into a life of ease, this conversation is for you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Connect with Michelle

• Visit her website and take the free quiz: michellegauthier.com
• Listen to her podcast: Overwhelmed Working Woman

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334

Hey friends, in this episode, I’m diving deep into the science and soul of setting bold, impossible goals versus those safe, realistic ones. If you’ve ever wondered why chasing a big dream feels both thrilling and terrifying, you’re in the right place! I’ll share the seven science-backed differences between realistic and impossible goals, and how you can use these insights to grow without losing yourself.

We’ll talk about identity-based motivation, why your boldest goals require you to become a new version of yourself, and how to handle the wild emotions that come with stepping outside your comfort zone. I’ll spill the tea on why strategy, not just effort, is the secret sauce for impossible goals, and how meaning and purpose—not just belief—fuel your motivation.

Plus, I’ll get real about my own journey, the power of support systems, and why failure is just data, not a stop sign. Whether you’re neurodivergent, a planner nerd, or just someone ready to make 2026 your boldest year yet, this episode is packed with actionable tips, personal stories, and a whole lot of encouragement.

Links & resources:

• Stuck Assessment: https://www.plangoalplan.com/stuck
• Plan Goal Plan Planners! Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334