Podcast Friday! Episode 73: Planning it Out with Brian Hannon

Posted on by Victoria

One of my favorite personality assessments provides insight about planning preferences. The need for organization and predictability vs. a love of keeping life loose, open-ended and spontaneous.

I often chuckled when I worked with anyone who was in conflict with a significant other – in their personal or work lives – when they struggled with this dynamic. The duality. Some prefer life with a long, telescopic zoom lens. Seeing the mile markers, plotting the path. Others? The freewheelers. Those who prefer living in the moment, keeping options open. (And it goes without saying that many of us pivot back and forth, depending upon the situation and circumstances…but underlying preferences? I believe in them.)

My hubster, Paul, is Mr. Open-Ended…don’t fence me in with decisions too early.  My need to plan cramps his style. Here’s an example.  I’d like to know on Monday what we might have planned for the following weekend. If not firm details in place, at least a menu of possibilities. This behavior of mine – my love of certainty and predictability – drives him mad. 

“I dunno…plans for the WEEKEND?” he asks.  “Let’s talk about it on Friday.”

Whaaa? This wait-until-later routine rattles me to no end, but I learned to adapt. Over time, I’ve come to appreciate a soupcon of spontaneity, learning that my propensity for planning is like a release valve. I like the structure.  It aligns with my head space because I’ve always been the one that everyone else leans on. I need to have my act together so I can respond to the zillion and one “other” things that come up. It helps me prioritize and it was, perhaps, my first form of self-care. Am I a little tightly wound? Sure. But planning allows me to visual options and feel in control…even if control is…you know.  A myth.

Which is why I adored, adored, adored our most recent podcast with our friend Brian Hannon in Episode #73, Planning it Out with Brian. Spoiler: We are kindred planning souls. Wynne and I giggled and related to Brian’s laments about his preferences and how he, too, is often misunderstood.

Brian makes the most brilliant point (and I wish I’d thought of it sooner) that a well-crafted game plan can be motivational. Keeping us in the thick of it when we’re slogging through a tiresome task…or two. The mere thought of enticing plans – something to look forward to – can be a beacon.

I don’t want to say more, lest I steal Brian’s thunder.  You must listen for yourself. We’ll have a new community mantra on the other side.  Seven words that Brian uses when the going gets tough…leaning into his planfulness like a tonic.

Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it.

Vicki and Wynne 😊

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor Episode 73: Planning It Out with Brian Hannon

Or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Transcript for this Episode: Episode 73 transcript

Links for this Episode:

Episode 73: Planning It Out with Brian Hannon on Anchor

Two Kinds of People by Brian Hannon

Brian’s blog: Writing from the Heart with Brian

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

Other podcast episodes featuring Brian Hannon:

Episode 58: Creative Heart with Brian Hannon

Episode 44: Hot Tips for Writing About Family with Brian Hannon

Episode 34: How to Write Family Narratives with Brian Hannon

Episode 17: Building a Base with Brian Hannon

25 thoughts on “Podcast Friday! Episode 73: Planning it Out with Brian Hannon”

  2. Pingback: Podcast Friday! Episode 73: Planning it Out with Brian Hannon – The Story Lady

  4. Love how you describe it as the duality. It’s funny that Paul is open-ended. I’d have expected him, as an engineer, to be more into the planning. But your description of the comfort of planning – so spot on!!

    And what a fun podcast!! Love talking with Brian anytime but especially about vacation!

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  6. Planners unite! We need our own union. Ha ha. I hear you, my vacation planning helps give me some sense of control even if it’s all fake. I’m not sure why Wynne and you keep having me on the podcast but it’s a blast all the same!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣😎😎

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  7. Pingback: Life is better at the beach – Writing from the Heart with Brian

  8. What a fun and engaging conversation! I love the banter and laughter between you three.

    Brian’s relationship with his wife sounds lovely and I am totally with Brian – having a vacation to look forward to helps make all the trivialities of day to day life seem less worrisome and annoying.

    I do have to plan ahead though. It’s the nature in me but I try my best to leave room for spontaneity!

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  9. Ah the duality, planning or freewheeling. I think there’s a time and place for both. I have often lived by the quote, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Yet, I can travel without a hotel booking and freewheel my way to the plan that finds me.
    Brian is too funny!😂

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    1. Oh geez…I need to learn from you! One bad experience without a hotel room…a literal ‘no room at the inn’ moment has made me forever phobic about being adventurous. And yes – thank you, dear Alegria. Brian is a hoot! 🥰😁🥰

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      2. Uh-oh! You’re accurately peeking behind the “Vicki curtain”! You’re right – it was soo much fun but only because I had terrific travel companions to give the whole crazy experience an exciting edge…hmmm…. maybe story-worthy sometime. You seem to have sniffed that out! 😜💕😜

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