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WHY THIS MATTERS

Every other decision in this kit depends on your dates. Without them, you'll keep saying yes to "just one more session." With them, you have a clear line and a kind answer ready.

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WHAT TO DO

Answer the four questions below, enter your due date and answers in My Leave Plan, look at the suggested dates, then commit to your real dates in My Non-Negotiable Leave Dates.

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WHEN TO DO IT

First. Ideally as soon as you know your due date, and before you accept any more bookings.

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How working backwards works

You enter your due date once. The planner then subtracts your buffer, your gallery turnaround time and your preferred stopping point to suggest the latest safe date for each part of your business. You choose your real dates; the suggestions are only there so you don't have to do the maths while tired.

flowchart LR
	A["Last day accepting bookings"] --> B["Last consultation"]
	B --> C["Last session / wedding"]
	C --> D["Last gallery delivered"]
	D --> E["Leave starts"]
	E --> F["Due date"]
	F --> G["Leave ends"]
	G --> H["Soft return"]
	H --> I["Full return"]

Four questions to answer first

Example

Input / Date Example
Due date 1 March
Stop shooting (weeks before) 6
Gallery turnaround (weeks) 4
Buffer (weeks) 3
Suggested last session 7 weeks before due = 11 January (buffer + turnaround is longer than 6 weeks, so the earlier date wins)
Suggested last gallery delivery 3 weeks before due = 8 February
Suggested last consultation 2 weeks before last session = 28 December
Suggested booking cutoff 3 weeks before last session = 21 December

My Non-Negotiable Leave Dates

These are the boundaries you are promising yourself. Write them as sentences, not just dates. When someone asks for "just a quick session" after a cutoff, you won't need to decide again; you'll simply point to the line you already drew.

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After this date, I will not accept new sessions.

After this date, I will not schedule consultations.

After this date, all remaining galleries must be delivered.

After this date, my business is in leave mode, and that is not a failure. It is the plan.

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Each of your key dates lives in My Key Dates below with its boundary sentence. Tick Committed when you've decided, then add them to your personal calendar too.