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The Pre-Launch Plan Calendar I Love (And Sometimes Question)
A few years ago, I added a Pre-Launch Plan Calendar to the Pre-Launch Plan program and it seemed like a simple solution.
Students wanted more clarity around what to work on and when. So this Pre-Launch Plan Calendar that I created mapped out all 12 weeks of the program, complete with suggested timelines and action steps.
Simple, right?
Well, yes and no.
What I’ve discovered since introducing the Pre-Launch Plan Calendar is that the exact same resource can create completely different experiences depending on who’s using it.
Why I Created the Pre-Launch Plan Calendar
The original goal was straightforward: help students stay organized.
The program is curriculum-based, which means every module builds toward a larger outcome. I wanted participants to have a clear roadmap showing what they could focus on each week if they wanted to complete the program within the cohort timeline.
For many students, that’s exactly what the calendar does.
They print it out, follow along, and use it as a guide throughout the program. It removes decision fatigue and gives them a clear sense of what to work on next.
When the Calendar Creates Pressure
But there’s another side to the story.
Not everyone moves through a program at the same pace.
Life happens. Businesses get busy. Family obligations come up. Unexpected challenges appear.
And even though I regularly tell students that there is no “ahead” or “behind,” some people still feel behind when they compare their progress to the suggested calendar.
The calendar was designed to create clarity, but for some people it can accidentally create pressure.
Different People Need Different Things
OOne of the reasons I’ve spent so much time thinking about this is because the feedback is so divided.
Recently, a student messaged me to tell me how much she loved the calendar. She said it helped her stay focused, understand what was coming next, and get back on track whenever she got off schedule.
At the same time, I’ve heard from students who prefer to move through the content in a different way.
Neither approach is wrong.
It’s simply a reminder that people learn differently, work differently, and need different levels of structure.
The Real Question
The calendar isn’t really the point.
The bigger question is how we create programs that support different types of people without making the experience feel rigid or overwhelming.
That’s why I’ve tried to build flexibility into the Pre-Launch Plan through multiple learning formats, different ways to consume content, and encouragement for people to move through the material in the way that works best for them.
The calendar is a tool.
For some people, it’s super valuable. For others, it’s something they barely use.
In this episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on why this one resource generates such different reactions and what it’s teaching me as I continue to evolve the program.
Listen to the full episode to hear the complete story behind the Pre-Launch Plan calendar and the lessons I’ve learned from the feedback it’s generated.
Have thoughts on this? Email me at brenna@brennamcgowan.co.
Next Steps:
- Let’s work together! Book a strategy call
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Thanks for Listening!
Brenna
