How not to Plan – 10 Things to Avoid to get even the Worse Plans to work!
There are lots of books, posts and what-nots on how to plan. But how about how NOT to plan?
In a new year for example, most of us have laid our best laid plans ready to be executed. Yet, few weeks later how near or far are we from those plans? For many, plans are already scrapped by Easter. So lets take see if we can fathom what not to do.
##1 Not having a strategy
I don’t need to hammer the fact that making the plan is not the hardest part. The execution of our plans are more important than the plans we make.
Many times, we do not have a strategy for some of our best laid plans. We want to lose weight. We think of how we’ll eat less and exercise more. That may sound like a good plan. But if that was all that it took, then most would succeed.
What we need to consider is how are we going to eat less? How are we going to exercise more? What are these going to involve?
##2 Telling the wrong people
The worst thing to do is to have a plan, be excited about it and share it with someone who just looks at you like you are nothing more than the world’s best dreamer at best.
When we make plans, telling the wrong people can abort those plans before you have even written the P in planning! Not everyone, even with the best intentions in the world, will believe in your plans…or you.
And it is not anything to get upset about. You will find that often it is usually the people closest to you who would be your greatest critics.
Rather than be quick to think they are jealous or envious, sometimes, it is often their fears of seeing you disappointed, hurt or their own worries and insecurities.
If you have a strong conviction and you have thought your plans through, you don’t always have to wait for other people’s approval. Press on with the execution.
And with the wrong people, hold on this point here for a minute or two…there is something coming below further on.
##3 Not including financial planning
Many plans take money. To make a plan and not include the financial costs and benefits will see many plans not come to maturity.
Obviously, that is not to say that the finances should put you off. For one thing we can think the plans will cost far more than the actual costs…or even less.
However, we must make financial considerations to avoid a lot of (nasty) surprises.
##4 Not doing research or gaining more knowledge
We can get sucked up into thinking that the knowledge we have is enough for the job. Yes, we may be the only person in the world doing what we plan to do.
Perhaps you are just about to invent something. However, do research, gaining knowledge in that field. For one thing, you want to avoid accidents.
If others have done what you are planning to do, find out how they succeeded or even failed.
Learn from any mistakes. What can you improve?
##5 Not collaborating or asking for help
This is why I always say the bigger the plan, the more you should consider a coach or mentor that can guide you through the process.
Or at least someone who you can be ‘accountable’ to. So, someone who is checking on how the weight loss is going for example, perhaps doing the weigh in and recording. That kind of thing.
If you don’t have or want a mentor, fair dues. But there is power in collaboration. You can knock heads together with other people without even revealing your full plans.
And remember that asking for help does not mean you are incapable or stupid. Make sure you read this fascinating post on why we do not like asking for help!
##6 Not valuing your critics!
And with collaboration, this leads me to this next point. I mentioned earlier about negative people and holding on to thoughts regards to them.
There is a place for critics, especially with big plans. Now, I am not talking about the negative ‘discouragers’ who would even discourage the sun from shining on a summer’s day.
There are some people who are perpetually negative.
The place for critics are those who would give you valued ‘negative’ remarks on why something will not work. Don’t get into a huff and puff about it. No, no, no. LISTEN to what they are saying.
If you can hold your ground without getting offended, then let them spill, ask questions even.
They are giving you free advice on some things you may not have considered that you can then go and work on, and refine to make it work! Now, who has the last laugh?
##7 Lacking focus
Sometimes, we have so many plans (many can be big plans) and we are trying to do them all at once. The net result can be that none of them gets done in the end.
What is the most important or biggest plan or venture at the moment that is going to take the most time?
Is that the one you want to devote your most attention? If it is, then focus on it. Allocate your most energy to it.
That is not to say you ignore the others; but that you should be able to know where you are going to spend your energy, time and even money, the most.
##8 Not setting a time plan
Apart from including the financial planning, time planning is important. You may want to lose weight, but what time frame are you working to?
Leaving plans open ended, may be ‘good’ for you in that you are not giving yourself unnecessary pressure.
But it also means those plans are likely to fail or go on forever. Set milestones and target dates and reward yourself with each achievement made.
##9 Overthinking and endless refining
The first car that was ever manufactured does not look like anything we drive now. The first mobile phone does not look like the phones we use today.
Imagine if the inventors held back and kept refining their plans in order to get the gadgets we have today.
There are books you should have published 10 years ago that are still in manuscript stage because you keep going back and editing, adding and refining.
Release the book! This happens again because you have not set a time plan. Put THE END to that book and get it out as soon as possible.
##10 Being afraid of making a mistake
Some plans do not get very far, because of fear of making a mistake. There is a place for mistakes. I am not saying we just do things anyhow.
However, if we allow the fear of making a mistake preventing us executing our plans, we will always be in the same place. The thing to do with mistakes, is knowing how to handle them. Because there are benefits in making mistakes that add to our greatness!
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