Start Here

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Your job is to wreck this template! To make it actually work for your life—instead of the creator’s life or some imaginary version of someone who would use it. - Amelia Hruby, PhD. (paraphrased)

Off The Grid, Ep. 🛠️ How to Create Biz Systems (for Neurodivergent Entrepreneurs)

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Scoping the Territory & Setting My Compass

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What is my tendency?

Don’t know? Take Gretchen Rubin’s Four Tendencies Quiz.

• [ ] Rebels: Resist both inner and outer expectations
• [ ] Upholders: Readily meet outer and inner expectations
• [ ] Questioners: Meet inner expectations but question outer expectations
• [ ] Obligers: Meet outer expectations but struggle with inner expectations

What’s my sleep chronotype?

What motivates me?

Am I a sprint or a marathon?

What other distinctions define my work style and natural rythms?

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1. Who do I want to be in 3-5 years? What do I want to accomplish?

Scout's Note: If it helps, imagine yourself at your birthday three to five years from now. Think about what you’d like your life to look like (where you are, who is around you) and what milestones or accomplishments you would relish having achieved.

2. What life circumstances may impact my plan?

Scout's Note: Don’t overthink this! Just list whatever comes to mind at the moment—such as family responsibilities, finances, health conditions, etc—instead of trying to figure out what may change in 3 years.

3. What can I learn from similar artists/writers/entreprenuers?

Scout's Note: If answering this question feels daunting, ask an AI assistant like ChatGPT or Claude for help. These assistants can now browse the internet to do some of this research for you.

4. What lessons can I take from my past successes?

Scout's Note: List 5-10 major accomplishments, why you’re proud of them, and what systems or motivations helped you succeed.

Want to create your own vision board with this template? Follow this link to get the Canva template and start creating your own vision board.

Gathering Data: SWOT Analysis

Scout's Note: Make this process more fun by brainstorming with a friend, business bestie or an AI assistant like Claude or ChatGPT. (If you’re collaborating with an AI assistant, still approach the chat like a conversation with a new work friend. Share short stories or examples that you think capture your strengths or weaknesses. Provide extra context about yourself and your life. This will help you get an insightful SWOT analysis tailored to you instead of a generic response.)

Strengths to Amplify:

• Natural tendencies that support your goals
• Resources available to you

Opportunities to Capture:

• External trends aligned with your goals
• Past successes to build upon

Weaknesses to Manage:

• Specific challenges for your goals and tendency
• Internal resistance patterns

Threats to Mitigate:

• External challenges that may impact your goals
• Potential barriers to overcome

Plotting My Route

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A strategy plan is “a roadmap looking at where you are now and where you want to get to, and what are the steps you need to take to get there, and really breaking it down.” - Todd Schulkin

Happier in Hollywood, Ep. 415: Strategic Planning (A.K.A. Our Corporate Vision Board)

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True North

• Who do I want to become?

• What impact do I want to have?

• How will I know I've succeeded?

Scout's Note: If breaking down your vision into phases and quarters (in the next section) feels overwhelming, grab a thinking partner—whether that's a friend or an AI assistant. This step might feel challenging at first, but it's what transforms a big dream into an actionable roadmap. Remember, you're creating a flexible guide to get from where you are to where you want to go, not a rigid contract you're stuck with forever.

Phase 1: Foundation Building

Goals: (3-5 major objectives)

Milestones: (Quarterly markers)

Q1:

Q2:

Q3:

Q4:

Phase 2: Growth & Expansion

Goals: (3-5 major objectives building on year 1 successes)

Milestones: (Quarterly markers to scaling your achievements)

Q1:

Q2:

Q3:

Q4:

Phase 3: Authority & Impact

Goals: (3-5 objectives building on the last 2 years successes)

Milestones: (Quarterly markers expanding your impact)

Q1:

Q2:

Q3:

Q4

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