We all talk a lot about the plan.
Many of us call it different things (Vision, Goals, Aspirations) and have myriad ways to project HOW we are going to get from here . . . . to THERE.
That's the PLAN.
Some of us spend LOTS of time, energy, and resources developing this PLAN and don't quite get around to DOING anything.
Others are very expedient with their plan making process . . . and quick to DO in a very rigid way certain that as long as everything they do is "according to the plan" then they'll certainly reach the goal at the appointed time.
and then there's that enigmatic bunch of folks who never seem to plan anything, yet they always seem to get there.
Here's a little experiment.
I want you to develop a plan for a trip from where you live through a MAJOR city (Atlanta, New York, Chicago, LA) to any other city - You can drive or fly. Think of everything you can think of - create a budget - develop a time-line - gather all of the stuff and people you will need.
Write it down and leave your house just as planned . . . and follow that plan EXACTLY.
Can you do it?
Will everything go EXACTLY as you expected (planned)?
Odds are not good that it will according to plan . . . Details might be forgotten. Traffic might spoil the timeline. Other people may do things that create delays/hassles.
Don't confuse your plan (the map) with reality (the territory).
Organizations learn this the hard way every day. They create very detailed "Business Plans" for new ventures . . . and are always amazed when things don't go according to the plan but succeed (or fail).
They then put HUGE energy and effort into creating "Policy and Guidelines Manuals" and "Organizational structures" such that they can "systematize" every facet of the business so that it is quintessentially duplicatable . . . so that if ever there is a thing or person which fails to operate per the plan, they can delete that thing or person and plug another one into the mix per the plan and expect things to continue to run perfectly.
The real world doesn't work that way.
The sad truth is that most "break-throughs" happen NOT according to plan.
Seth Godin offered a cool way to develop a business plan . . . I'm using it to develop a business I am currently launching.
It's simple - and simple is GOOD - and non-rigid - and doesn't create a box
5 Parts
1. Truth - What's the current state of affairs? What's right about it - what's wrong? Who are the players?
2. Assertions - What are we going to do that's different? What gaps are we going to fill with our new venture?
3. Alternatives - If things aren't going perfectly with our "plan" (assertions), what else can we do (out of the box) that can carry us through to our ultimate vision?
4. People - who's coming with us? What do they bring with them? Are they the right people?
5. Money - Where's it coming from and how is it going to flow? What hapens if it runs out?
I simply add the 4 principles of Open Space Technology (a la Harrison Owen)
Whoever comes are the right people
whenever it starts is the right time
whatever happens is the only thing that could have
When it's over, it's over!
and 1 law
The law of 2 feet: 'If at any time you find yourself in a place where you are neither contributing nor receiving anything of value, then it is YOUR responsibility to use your 2 feet to take yourself to a place where you CAN contribute and/or receive something of value."
and finally - The FourFold Way
SHOW UP and BE PRESENT
Follow what has heart and meaning for you
Always tell the truth to yourself and other
Let it go
enough rambling.
I say: "Make the plan" and follow that plan just as you would a road map with willingness to deviate from the plan to circumvent surprises along the way.
and DO . . . Just DO.
You'll get there as long as your vision of what "There" looks and feels like is clear and specific.
I'm just sayin'
b
PS . . . What I laid out here is applicable to ALL aspects of your life . . . including your vision of "What's for Breakfast?"
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