A plan is a great place to start. Remember though, that a plan is simply that ... a picture of how things might look if life gets out of the way and things happen exactly as you think they should.
Like a recipe, miss out a critical ingredient and the meal will still be ok, but it might not hit the high notes you hoped for. It's like the roast pork without the crackle, because you forgot to use the salt. You know what I mean. (Reference Jamie Oliver for the most awesome way to get your pork absolutely perfect!!).
It's important too, to recognise that sometimes we go off plan and the outcome can be equally successful and sometimes, even more so.
Life is full of unexpected and brilliant surprises, and whilst planning is vital to the successful outcome of any endeavour, it's important to consider the size, shape and flexibility of your plan, no matter what project it is for.
There are a few tips that if followed, will deliver on planning every time.
1. Write down your goal. Do one at a time - the plan for each goal will be individual and specific to that goal.
2. Eliminate distractions. Dedicate planning time to just planning. Stay on task.
3. Go wild. No censoring! Take a blank canvas, or a piece of paper, a whiteboard, a chalkboard, and write down all the things that are possibilities of actions you can take to move you towards your outcome.
4. Put yourself on a time limit (and give yourself enough time). This increases your ability to focus on the task at hand and get the best possibilities in the shortest timeframe.
5. Phone a friend. Collaborate with a colleague or mentor if it's business and a friend of family member if it's a life goal and ask them to do the same task. When you share the results you will usually find that third unexpected possibilities arise.
6. Identify the action that you can take today to begin the journey. Then sequence the events to create a clear path forward until you reach your desired outcome. When you review this sequence the gaps in the plan will become apparent, and you can fill in the action steps.
7. Consider where life might pop up with a challenge and consider one (or more) contingencies that will allow you to keep on track. If you are relaxed about the possible interruptions and have a plan at the ready, Murphy's Law suggests that because you have planned it won't happen that way; and if it does, you're preprared to handle it, so less stress means more efficiency and you get back on track swiftly.
8. Anticipation and flexibility. Develop these two attributes. Anticipation aids preparedness, and preparedness breeds confidence. This is true in exam situations, in client consultations, in feeding the kids dinner and in achieving life's goals. Flexibility means that if something isn't working you are flexible enough to consider the other options. Flexibility means that your plan could speed up and you are responsive, or slow down and you stay motivated and responsive. Flexibility is key!
9. Quite time to review. As you progress through your plan make regular pit stops to check in on your progress and ensure that you are achieving what you want, in the way you want, and with the outcome that you want. Sometimes life sweeps us along and as long as we are ticking boxes we are happy. It's important to get it done. It's equally important to feel happy, satisfied, delighted, excited and pleased with the journey along which your plan is taking you. No point ticking the boxes if you're not having any fun along the way.
10. Celebrate with friends and be open to feedback. Because it's good for you.
And just in case you think planning's not for you, take a moment to remember the words of Richard Cushing "it wasn't raining when Noah built the ark".
