Perhaps like many of you I’ve gotten caught up in the mire of activity that isn’t part of “The Plan”. This week, after a break in a relentless stream of tasks, requests, go-fers, and must do’s, I had a feeling of panic. It’s March! Q1 is almost over!
It’s very easy to allow the inbound stream of email, calls and interruptions to control my time. And yet, most of that activity is not in support of an imminent deal. If opportunities aren’t knocking, it doesn’t pay to be opportunistic. We must have a plan. We must act with intention. And we must put our priorities straight and keep The Plan in the forefront of our activity list each and every day.
I started this year building The Plan. I had the best intentions and I put some worthy thinking and work into it. I still feel pretty good about it. But it’s March… and I’m not tracking on target. I’ve slipped into a state of “being busy and calling it work” – and while it is work, it isn’t The Plan.
The Plan is our rudder that keeps us on our course. This year perhaps even more than ever there are strong cross-winds blowing, relentlessly driving us off the path. It is more important than ever to have a plan and to stay on course. Here’s a few thoughts about The Plan that have helped me:
- Have a “Plan”.
Write it down. Include the details. Think through it and document all of your thoughts. The consistency that you will gain from a plan will give you a benchmark to judge both successes and failures.
- Share it.
Tell people your plan. Get their ideas. I’ve found that this gives me tremendous energy and also creates accountability to keep me executing The Plan.
- Execute it – Daily!
Do something little to execute The Plan every day, no matter what. Make sure you spend at least 1 minute a day. It doesn’t matter if that is all the time you spend that day, but be sure to spend that time to keep The Plan top of mind.
- Don’t finish The Plan before you start to take action.
I have a terrible time with this -I need to have all the loose ends tied up before I get started. I won’t have all the loose ends tied up though. It is important to just let it be OK to figure stuff out along the way. George Patton said “A good plan today is better than a perfect plan tomorrow.”
- Track your progress, and adjust.
Pay attention, notice what is working and what is not, and then make the necessary adjustments. Don’t throw out The Plan – fix it!
“The dream is real, my friends. The failure to realize it is the only unreality.” -Toni Cade Bambara
How are you tracking on your plan this year?
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