GR-002: The Road Less Travelled

Alexis

....Hey everyone, welcome back to Gratitude Reflections—Real moments, Real gratitude, and Real growth.

Max

We’re your hosts, Max and Alexis. Every episode, we share a real gratitude journal entry and unpack the deeper lessons hiding in everyday life.

Alexis

Today’s entry is about messy mornings, doctor visits, and an unexpected moment of insight. Let's read it now—and then we’ll talk about what stood out. Max?

Max

March 20' 2025: "Today, I took my wife for a scheduled doctor’s visit. Picture it: the Doctor is an hour’s drive away, and the appointment is for 9 a.m., so we need to leave home not later than 8."

Alexis

A sensible picture, so far.

Max

"It goes on: It was a familiar routine: 7:30 a.m.: She’s making breakfast for the kids. 8:00 a.m.: “I’ll be ready in 10 minutes,” she says. 8:25 a.m.: She’s headed to the car—bag of veggies to drop off at her brother’s in one hand, medical forms in her teeth, and breakfast in the other. 8:26 a.m.: Her breakfast spills all over the floor while she’s trying to open the door. 8:31 a.m: She returns with a fresh sandwich. 9:00 a.m, at the Doctor's office? At this stage the only thing we're early for...is being late. "

Alexis

Ouch! That's been me, not gonna lie.

Max

"Then comes the frustrated exclamation:I’ve seen different versions of this play out many times—and I can imagine the mental distress behind those moments. Hell, for years I lived similar ones myself. "

Max

"But what I’m thankful for today is something I had to learn to survive in the corporate world:

Alexis

Aha! The plot twist.

Max

"Start from your end goal: That means: So what do I need to get done before I leave? How long will those things take? What can be prepped the night before?What time do I need to get up? What time do I need to go to bed to make that happen? And then—Because, y’know…

Alexis

100%

Max

"More often than not, you’ll get to the church on time.And this approach doesn’t just apply to appointments—it applies to life goals of any size.Here’s what else I’m grateful for: the deeper insight.

Max

"Remember when Jesus talked about the wide gate and the narrow gate? Yeah, we usually think of that as a warning about sin and damnation But maybe—just maybe—there are levels to what He was saying. Maybe He was also pointing out a universal truth:

Alexis

Ooh, they went biblical! I love the "There are levels to this" bit.

Max

And they entry ends with the gratitude. "So I’m thankful for the understanding that anytime I find myself following the same routine as everyone else, that’s a signal. time to mix it up.Time to take the road less travelled. Because that’s usually where the peace is hiding."

Alexis

That hit me hard. Like—life happens, right? And the “shit happens” part? That’s real. Most people don't build that into their plans, and then they wonder why everything feels rushed and chaotic.

Max

Exactly. It’s not just about tackling chaos when it hits but also about shifting your mindset to expect it. I mean, think about it—we often plan for the perfect morning, assuming everything will go right. But it almost never does. So really, how do we start making plans that embrace the unpredictable and roll with it?

Alexis

And the idea of working backward from your end goal? That’s next-level mindset. That’s not just time management—that’s clarity.

Max

Absolutely It’s such a simple idea, but it’s one of those things we don’t really do naturally. Start at the end—what’s the goal?—and then piece it together backward until you know what step one actually looks like.

Alexis

Yeah—But you might ask, how’s it different? Like, isn’t that what we’re doing anyway? Setting a goal, breaking it down?

Max

Not quite. See, most people start where they are and inch forward, step by step, hoping it’ll, you know, magically connect to the finish line. With backward planning, you're flipping the script. You’re anchoring in that final goal first, and only then figuring out what milestones you’ve gotta hit—what to prioritize and what isn’t even worth your energy. It’s like reverse-engineering your success.

Alexis

Huh, so you're saying it’s, what—less about the steps themselves and more about making smarter choices along the way?

Max

Totally. And here’s the kicker: most people avoid this because it, well—it forces you to think differently. It’s not the wide gate, Alexis. It’s the narrow one.

Alexis

Smooth segue to that Jesus reference! That wide gate vs. narrow gate? It’s so easy to forget that sometimes the spiritual metaphors have real-life, daily applications.

Max

Absolutely. It’s not always about sin and salvation—it’s also about growth, discipline, and making conscious choices when everyone else is reacting on autopilot.

Alexis

This entry reminded me that stress is often optional. Not always—but a lot of the time, it comes down to

Max

And more than that, it’s a call to when we’re falling into default routines. If everyone’s doing it, maybe it’s time to pause and ask, “Is this the wide gate?”

Alexis

Okay, let’s really unpack this backward planning thing. What does it actually look like in practice? No buzzwords—just give us the real, tangible stuff.

Max

Okay. Imagine you're standing at the finish line. You’re not just looking forward from point A to point B, hoping you’ll figure it out. You're starting at Z, that final moment, and working backward step by step until you know exactly where you need to start and what comes next.

Alexis

Alright, but let’s be real—not everything plays out like a straight line. Life’s messy. It’s more like spaghetti than a road map. How do you handle the curveballs?

Max

That’s the beauty of it! Backward planning forces you to build in space for the chaos. You start seeing those curveballs ahead of time—or, at the very least, you leave room to adjust for them.

Alexis

Like spare tires for your timeline?

Max

Exactly! And it’s not just about timelines. Think about the decisions you make every day. If you’re clear on your end goal—whatever that looks like—then every choice along the way gets sharper, more meaningful. It’s not this wide, sprawling path where you’re just guessing your way through. It’s narrow. It’s intentional.

Alexis

Ah, the narrow gate again. So we’re saying most people stick to the more obvious, well-traveled road—planning forward, one baby step at a time—because it’s easy. Where does backward planning make people uncomfortable?

Max

Oh, it’s uncomfortable because it makes you think differently. It asks, “Are you really clear on what you want?” I mean, that's the part most people skip, right? They dive into the “how” before understanding the “what.”

Alexis

Huh. So before we even start planning out steps… we need to figure out the win.

Max

Yes! And once we do, it’s like flipping on a spotlight. You stop wasting time on all the paths that don’t lead there.

Alexis

Alright, alright—so tell the listeners, where does this actually shine? Like, does this work outside the boardroom?

Max

For sure. Think about something as basic as your morning routine. You’ve got a 9 a.m. appointment. Instead of just reacting to every little thing that pops up, backward planning makes you ask, “What’s gotta happen between now and then?” Suddenly, you’ve got clear checkpoints—and fewer sandwich spills.

Alexis

Oh boy. Let’s not even talk about dealing with a sandwich-mageddon.

Max

Alright, Alexis, we mentioned morning routines—so let’s dig into that. Sandwich spills aside, how do we really make backward planning work in the chaos of a Monday morning?

Alexis

Oh, you wanna go there? Okay, picture this. Back when I didn’t plan… I’m scrambling in the morning. Alarm snoozed three times. I think I’ve got everything under control—until, bam, something spills. Or, worse, I realize I’ve forgotten something crucial, like… I don’t know, my keys or my phone.

Max

Classic. So basically, chaos reigning supreme?

Alexis

Exactly. But once I started thinking differently—working backward—it all changed. It wasn’t just mornings that got smoother. I realized I’d been “late” to a lot of things in life. Goals, opportunities, you name it. Backward planning made me see where I was putting energy into stuff that didn’t matter.

Max

Wait, wait—you’re saying this isn’t just a “get-there-on-time” trick? It’s, like, an overhaul?

Alexis

Absolutely. It’s about mental energy. Every decision you make drains something, right? So if you’re not prioritizing—if you’re letting chaos dictate instead of anchoring in the end goal—you’re spending that energy on all the wrong things.

Max

Okay, I see where you’re going. Like, conserving focus by streamlining the noise?

Alexis

Yes! It’s like… triaging your tasks. What absolutely needs my attention? What can be done before? And what’s just noise I need to tune out?

Max

Alright, let’s loop it back to the sandwich incident—because, y’know, that’s our crown jewel of chaos.

Alexis

Ha, yes. The infamous spilled sandwich. Let’s say you’ve backward planned the morning: breakfast for the kids? Done the night before. Medical forms? Prepped. Sandwich? Already packed, because you know you’ll be too rushed. Now, when time gets tight, it’s not an all-out disaster. You’re ready.

Max

And if the sandwich still spills?

Alexis

Then you’ve built in buffer time—or, at the very least, you’ve saved enough mental bandwidth to handle it without flipping out.

Max

Huh, so I guess what we’re saying is—it’s less about perfect execution and more about giving yourself the space to be human, to handle what life throws at you.

Alexis

Exactly. And the thing is… when you get into this mindset—working backward—it’s not just about mornings. It’s about your bigger plans, too. Ask yourself: what’s the end goal? From there, everything gets sharper.

Max

Alright, I like this. Let’s dig deeper—can backward planning help break us out of those, uh, stale routines we fall into?

Max

So, Alexis, backward planning sounds like a great solution for breaking stale routines. But what happens when life throws you a curveball? Does this approach still hold up, or does it get too rigid to adapt?

Alexis

Not at all. In fact, it’s the opposite. Backward planning doesn’t trap you—it frees you. It’s like… a roadmap, right? You still have to adjust for detours, but at least you’re clear on where you’re headed.

Max

Mmm, okay. But let’s play it out. Say you’ve got this big shiny roadmap, and suddenly—you know, curveball—the destination changes. Now what?

Alexis

Then you tweak the plan! The thing about working backward is that it’s flexible—it’s about knowing what matters most and adjusting without losing focus. Like, if your end goal evolves, the steps will shift too, but you’re still moving with intent.

Max

Okay, I see that. But let’s bring it down to ground level—how does someone actually start doing this? Like, day-to-day practical, not corporate boardroom planning.

Alexis

Oh, for sure. Take something super basic, like, uh—dinner prep. You want to eat by 7, right? So you work backward: cooking takes half an hour; chopping veggies, maybe fifteen minutes. Suddenly, you know you’ve gotta start by 6:15, no later.

Max

Hah, okay, but what if you forget you’re out of veggies? Or the stove’s busted?

Alexis

That’s the beauty of it—you’ve already anticipated wiggle room. Start planning with a buffer—give yourself time to roll with the punches. And, y’know, have a backup plan. Maybe it's ordering takeout.

Max

Backup takeout—now we’re talking.

Alexis

Ha, exactly! But seriously, the magic isn’t just in the planning—it’s in the clarity. Once you know what your ultimate goal looks like, the small daily decisions align with it. You stop wasting energy on stuff that doesn’t get you there.

Max

Okay, but let's think about the bigger stuff: Career goals, life milestones—all that heavy-hitting, soul-searching kind of thing?

Alexis

Definitely works there too! And here’s the kicker—you’ve gotta start by asking yourself the tough questions, like, “What do I really want?” Not what society says, not what’s easy—what do *you* want? That’s the hardest part, and people skip over it all the time.

Max

Huh. So it’s not just about time management—it’s really about self-awareness.

Alexis

Yess! Self-Awareness. Now you're cooking! Backward planning pushes you to be honest with yourself. You’re not just reacting to life anymore; you’re stepping into it with purpose.

Max

Alright, so what’s the first step for someone trying to shift their mindset like this?

Alexis

Start small. Pick one thing—a project, a goal, even just your morning routine—and work backward. Ask yourself, “What’s my win? What’s the outcome I really want?” Then break it down from there. Once that clicks, you can expand it to bigger plans.

Max

Alright, I like this. But I gotta ask—where’s the balance? At what point does planning too much kill the spontaneity?

Alexis

That’s a great question, Max—finding the balance is important, and it’s all about using planning as a tool, not a straitjacket. So here’s what you can try in your own life: number one—work backward from your goals. Whether it’s big life ambitions or just getting out the door on time, start at the end and reverse-engineer the steps to get there. But always leave room for the unexpected—you don’t want to over-plan every minute.

Max

Okay, but let’s pause there—how do you actually reverse-engineer without overcomplicating it? What’s the trick to keeping it simple?

Alexis

It’s all about clarity. You don’t start by overloading yourself. Just pick one outcome—what’s the end goal? Then lay out only the most critical steps needed to hit it. Skip the fluff.

Max

Got it. Long-term clarity, short-term simplicity. That brings me to takeaway number two—leave space for the unexpected. What does that actually look like though?

Alexis

Think of it this way: life isn’t gonna stop throwing chaos your way. Build buffer time into your plans. Give yourself breathing room so if something blows up—like, uh, say, sandwiches hitting the floor—you’re not scrambling to fix it last minute.

Max

Buffer time. Seems like common sense, but people really don’t do it enough. Alright, what’s up with default patterns? We mentioned working against the grain earlier—care to explain?

Alexis

Oh, totally. Takeaway number three: notice when you’re running on autopilot. If you always find yourself doing what everyone else is doing—or scrambling at the last minute—it’s a sign you’re stuck in the wide gate, y’know? Time to shake it up. Start taking the narrow path, even if it feels uncomfortable.

Max

Alright, and the narrow path leads to… what exactly? Peace, clarity? Like what, really?

Alexis

Both, but it’s also about intent. Takeaway number four: when you’re intentional, every choice aligns with what actually matters to you. The narrow path isn’t glamorous, but it’s what cuts through the noise and gets you to the good stuff.

Max

Huh. Alright, so to summarize: backward planning aligns your choices, buffer time keeps the chaos manageable, and breaking out of default patterns helps you find clarity. Did I cover it?

Alexis

Spot on. And once you’ve got all that down, life stops feeling like something you’re surviving and starts feeling like something you’re steering.

Max

Alright, I can get behind that. Let’s challenge ourselves—and the audience—to actually try this. Start small, right?

Alexis

Spot on, Max. So, as we take on this challenge, let’s keep in mind the power of stepping back and reflecting. Honestly, backward planning and stepping onto the narrow path—it really does shift how you see the world. Start small, try it, and if this sparked something for you… maybe share it with someone who could use a little less chaos and a little more clarity.

Max

And hey, if you’ve got your own tips—or even just a story about finding peace in the middle of life’s messes—we’d love to hear it. Who knows? We might reflect on your entry in a future episode.

Alexis

Yeah, do that! And as always, take what we’ve shared today, and remember: it’s not about getting it perfect—it’s about showing up with intent and making room for whatever life throws at you.

Max

Because shit happens, right?

Max

And on that note of wisdom… we’ll catch you next time. Keep walking those narrow roads.

Alexis

Remember: Find peace, Plan backwards, and Double bag the breakfast. See ya next time!