“If we fail to plan, we plan to fail” Why do most of us ignore this sage wisdom? Continual success requires the planning habit. Those who sporadically succeed usually don’t have planning bedded down as a habit but still do it occasionally. However it is well known that those who find success elusive usually don’t plan at all!
It is clear that to have a great life and enjoy what we choose to put our time into, planning is something we just need to learn and do. Planning needn’t be stressful or a chore, in fact it is anything but! So, here are a few guidelines and tips. Give them a go and you may be surprised at how effective you become, not to mention the higher proportion of favourable results!
What is a plan? A plan is a step by step roadmap or a set of predetermined instructions of how you will go about achieving the object of your desire. A plan can be used to achieve a great life change or to get a small quick job done as well as possible. Either way the principles and the basic method are the same – it is just that bigger achievements required more detailed planning.
Why plan? It is all about nailing the result as effectively as possible to allow your business to just plain work! Planning drives preparation and preparation is vital for all great achievements. When it comes time to execute the actions, great preparation ensures the delivery of the best result possible in the required time frame with the least amount of issues. You wouldn’t ask a builder to build a house without a plan would you? You would get a result that wasn’t what you really wanted and there would be constant trouble and dissatisfaction with the outcome. This is not a good way to live!
The planning process. Good planning has structure and good structures allow strength in the outcome.
Other requirements. Clarity (clearly defined goals and reasons for achieving them), structure, flexibility, accountability, buy in, review, communication and action are all vital.
What level should you plan at? You can use the planning process at any level as long as it helps you achieve what you want to achieve. This could be from connecting up a new trough to planning intergenerational farm succession.
What format should you use? Start with a pen & paper. GrowFARM clients use the ProfitLIVE Strategic Planner for recording, updating and communicating their planning. Other formats are commercially available so make sure you use something. You might record your plans using chronological order (indented down the page) or you may use mindmapping which is just brilliant.
What are the benefits of planning? More consistent application of effort; focus; savings of time, energy and money; efficiency and ultimately excellence are just a few. The more you do the more a mental habit is built. In time this will lead to instantaneous mental planning using the process i.e. thinking and reacting on your feet. This is a sure way to be ahead of the game and feel better about where you are going.
So, will you plan and achieve or will you not plan and fail? It's your choice!