HOW TO ACTUALLY GET IT ALL DONE (Without Last-Minute Panic!)

Hi Frum Minimalists!

So you did a brain dump. (Not sure what I'm talking about? Read this.)

You finally got everything out of your head and onto paper. Feels amazing, right? 

But now… what?

That list still looks long. And Purim is coming fast.

This is where my absolute favorite planning strategy comes in:

Working Backwards.

I teach this in-depth in my course because, honestly, it’s a game-changer. But I want to give you a super simple version right now—so you can start using it today.

Why Working Backwards Works

Most people plan forward—they look at today and think, What should I do first?

But that’s how we end up overwhelmed, cramming in tasks at the last minute, and running around like we’re in a Purim shpiel.

Instead, we’re going to start at the finish line and work our way back.

Step 1: Find Your Non-Negotiable Deadlines

Look at your calendar and mark the big dates.

For Purim, that might be:

📅 Purim day – When everything needs to be done

📅 Mishloach Manos drop-off day – If you’re delivering early

📅 Costumes – When do you need them ready?

📅 Seudah shopping – When do you need ingredients?

📅 Megillah reading – What time are you going, and do you need to prep for kids?

Step 2: Work Backwards from Each Deadline

Now, take each deadline and ask: What needs to happen before this? And then, what needs to happen before that?

For example:

➡️ Purim morning: You need all your Mishloach Manos packed and ready to go.

➡️ The night before: You need them in bags, labeled, and by the door.

➡️ Before that: You need all supplies bought.

➡️ Before that: You need to finalize how many to make.

See how this works? Instead of looking at a massive to-do list and guessing where to start, you now have a clear roadmap.

Step 3: Plug It Into Your Calendar

Now that you know exactly what needs to happen, assign each step a date.

And here’s the best part—since you’re working backwards, you’ll never feel rushed, because everything gets done before it’s urgent.

✨ No more last-minute costume scrambling.

✨ No more realizing the store is out of the thing you needed.

✨ No more feeling like Purim hit you like a ton of bricks.

Want to Master This?

In my course, I go way deeper into how working backwards can change not just Purim planning, but your entire life. (Yes, really!)

But for now, try it with just one Purim task:

✔️ Pick one thing (like Seudah prep, costumes, or Mishloach Manos).

✔️ Start from the deadline and work backwards, step by step.

✔️ Plug the tasks into your planner—so they actually happen!

This small shift alone can completely change how calm and organized you feel.

Hit reply and tell me—what’s one thing you’re working backwards on this week? I’d love to hear!

With you every step of the way,

Ellie