I am a huge fan of Kendra Adachi, aka the Lazy Genius. She is funny and down-to-earth. Her tagline is “Be a genius about the things that matter and lazy about the things that don’t.” This is basically another way of saying decide what matters and what does not, so when I first heard her podcast The Lazy Genius, I felt like she was speaking my language! The framework of this post comes from her book The Lazy Genius Way. You can find Kendra at The Lazy Genius Collective. .
In her book, Kendra outlines thirteen principles to follow as you work toward becoming a lazy genius. I decided to use these principles as a framework for making a plan to get my blog up and running.
Principle #1 – Decide Once
Blogs come with so many decisions, and decision fatigue is a real thing! I wanted to reduce the number of options I had to consider by deciding once on a few key things.
First, I looked at building the actual website. I decided to go through Wix, and I picked a simple template to use. I had already picked a name, so that was done. I picked a font; it’s called Shadows into Light. I then picked a primary color (purple) and a secondary color (gold) and wrote down their HEX codes. With these decisions out of the way, I was able to turn my attention toward content.
I looked at my calendar and made the decision to start on July 1st. I knew I would be in Orlando for a week starting June 29th, so I figured I’d have enough time get something up.
The last “decide one” I did during this beginning process was pick a few posts that I would start with and then some recurring themes that I wanted to blog about on a regular basis.
These decisions, once I made them, helped me move forward with the planning and not be distracted by all the choices for blog layouts, fonts, colors, and post ideas.
Principle #2 – Start Small
I had already gone through and picked what mattered to me and what did not. These priorities guided my plan to start small. My goals were set to write a little each day and to publish at least one post a week until the end of 2025. If I posted more than once a week, awesome, but there was no pressure to do so. If I decided in December that I wanted to continue into 2026, that would be wonderful, but I am starting small.
Principle #3 – Ask the Magic Question
Kendra’s magic question is “What can I do now to make life easier later?” I decided on a couple of steps to help my future self out.
First, I went ahead and set up my blog website. I planned it for a Saturday, and I sat down and worked until it was acceptable to me. Then I told myself I was going to leave it that way until Christmas. I have the week of Christmas off, so I can play with it again then.
Next, I went back to my list of ideas for my first few posts that I did in my Decide Once, and I wrote some of those posts. I decided I would edit and post them that first week of July.
Finally, I started drafts for some other ideas that I could go back and edit later when I might run into writer’s block.
This helped me feel like I was ahead of the ball for now.
Principle #4 – Live in the Season
My second post was about seasonal living, and this topic is my jam! I had already followed this principle when I made the plan to reassess how blogging was going at the end of December 2025. Maybe it will be going great, and it will be full steam ahead into the new year! Maybe blogging won’t be a part of my season as 2026 begins. Maybe I will pick it back up in another season. Remembering to dig deep into this season without expectations for the season to come will help me be kind to myself (which is a spoiler for principle number thirteen!)
Principle #5 – Build the Right Routines
Since my main priority, which I discussed here, is to write a little bit each day, I knew the right routine was going to be important. I decided on two routines. First, I would write a little bit each morning. That means that before noon, I will have written at least a sentence. Second, I would make sure that week’s post was published by the time I left work on Fridays.
Principle #6 – Set House Rules
This one took a little stretching. House rules are things that happen in your house to make things function well. Kendra has genius house rules, and many people who post on her social handles have genius house rules. I decided on four for the blog.
First, I would welcome all readers no matter their opinions or beliefs.
Two, I would always strive to be kind with my rhetoric.
Three, I will be true to myself in the things I post.
Four, I will listen to critiques that come in, use them to make my writing better, and then let go of any shame that may creep in.
Principle #7 – Put Everything in Its Place
It took a little time to set up the website, but now everything is in its place! I am hoping WordPress will make it easy to maintain this. I will reassess the week of Christmas.
Principle #8 – Let People In
This one was hard for me. I started by showing Sean the work I did on the website, and next I am going to invite him to read some of my posts. Eventually I will share with friends and family. I am not sure about how to let more people in. I think I will consider that more if I want to keep blogging in the new year.
Principle #9 – Batch It
I started by batching my first few posts. I definitely want to have a few more days where I batch some posts. One Saturday a month is already committed to meal prep in our family. I am hoping I can sneak some additional Saturday for writing, but it is busy around here!
Principle #10 – Essentialize
Kendra says, “The word essentialism was coined by Greg McKeown in his book Essentialism.” I already talked about naming what matters. That is the first step to essentializing. The second step is to get rid of everything that is in the way of what matters. The final step is to put energy and resources toward supporting what matters.
I had already been spending time reducing distraction in my life, so I knew I had the time to write. I then added a recurring task to Sunsama to write each day. No time limit or word count. Just sit down and write. I am hoping to read Greg McKeown’s book soon and apply what he says to the blog if I continue it.
Principle #11 – Go in the Right Order
Going in the right order can feel subjective. For me, the right order felt like getting all the distracting parts out of the way. Most distracting was setting up the website, so I got that out of the way first. Then, I was able to focus on writing.
Principle #12 – Schedule Rest
I knew I wanted to write a little everyday, but I definitely did not want to write a whole post every day! I also knew I would need to take a day off at some point. Additionally, I knew I wanted to take the week of Christmas off. Batch planning on a few days would mean that I had a bank of posts to post during these times. I plan to create a bundle of maybe ten posts with “evergreen” content to use when I get behind writer’s block or needing a break. Then, I plan on getting all the post for the week of Christmas written ahead of time!
Principle #13 – Be Kind to Yourself
This principle is going to be key. I want writing to feel natural and unstressed. I want to be proud of myself for writing a little, not disappointed that I am not writing enough. I plan on being kind to myself throughout this process. I am sure that will come up in my posts.
So not I am posting my tenth post! I am excited to see how this goes. I knew I wanted somewhere to document our journey of Embryo Adoption (read more in Post #8) and to advocate for others to consider discerning whether they might be called to adopt this way, too! I am excited to write about other things, too! If there is something you’d like to see me write, email me at elisabeth@mission-today.com
Mission Today 