Aha Moment Monday
At some point in school, a teacher or your parent quoted Ben Franklin by saying, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
“But Mom, PLAN is a four-letter word!”
I think some people have an affinity towards planning – or not – and that it’s personal.
Some people love to live spontaneously and feel that by over-planning they’re not living in the moment and receiving life’s gifts as they arrive.
Then there are others who shop in August for Christmas and wouldn’t dream of taking one step out of the door without a map for the day.
(And if those opposites are partners in business or in life, they either balance or drive each other crazy!)
Probably many of us live somewhere in between and prepare based on our motivation and desire.
To the “whimsicals”, planning that seasonal retreat is way more fun than thinking through a succession plan so the retreat gets more of their attention.
The “securers” wouldn’t think of a vacation if it took resources from the blueprint to pay off the family home within the next five years.
So, what’s the middle ground? How tied to our plans and preparedness to do we need to be?
And why would greats like Winston Churchill say things like, “Plans are of little importance, but plans are essential”?
Aha – “Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” ~ Abraham Lincoln
That’s why.
Without a vision, stated intention, and plan, you’re apt to get what you get, rather than getting what you desire.
Your plan includes people, resources, training, celebrations, support and all the things required to go the distance. Success is not a straight line. Without a plan to handle the highs and the lows, you’re in a constant state of reaction, as opposed to action.
After all, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.” ~ Yogi Berra
Plan for YOUR ‘someplace’.
Oh, and IN TWO DAYS my friend, Linda McLean is launching an incredible book entitled, Snapshot Business Planning (it’s excellent – I’ve read it!).
Jump on this link September 6th for YOUR COPY!!
https://www.amazon.com/Snapshot-Business-Planning-Quick-Steps/dp/0983052913
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