Knowing where you are going
One of the hardest parts of success is realizing where you want to go.
I have written about setting goals many times, among others, here, here and here .
How do you plan on getting there?
But what many forget is what to do once you have set your goals.
It is equally as hard and takes more time, planning how you are going to accomplish your goals.
Like it has been said many times;
“Failing to plan, means planning to fail”.
If you are to succeed you have to sit down, see where you are now and where you want to go and then start making plans.
The act of setting goals makes a big difference and starts attracting opportunities into your life, but if you don’t know what you are going to do you will miss a lot of chances.
Your plans aren’t written in stone
On the other hand you must be flexible. If an unexpected opportunity comes your way you have to be able to update your plans to take advantage of this opportunity.
But having a detailed plan gives you the chance to see how this new opportunity ways in to the rest of your efforts into a “master plan”.
If you don’t have a “master plan” all the activities will be counteracting each other, fighting for your time and energy instead of working in harmony and letting you leverage all the resources at the common goal.
Your Master Plan
Once you have set your goal, take the time to start thinking about what you need, how you are going to get it and what steps you need to take to make your dream a reality.
Like has been said time and time again “Every minute spent on planning saves X minutes in execution”. Substitute the X for anything from 2-10. I have heard all of them being used.
I usually say 10 minutes is saved per minute spent on planning.
That is how important it is.
Just look in the small scale when you plan your day (read more in the article Planning Your Day).
You organize your activities, focus your work and do a lot better when you have planned.
These days I spend about 2 hours doing what used to take 10 (I know that is just 5 times the time, but bear with me).
Investing Time On Planning Is The Key To Winning Time On Execution
If you take this to a larger scale and look at the planned start of a company.
By spending time forming your plans, goals, mission statements, your requirements and so on, you will save lots of time on the execution of the plan.
Because if you don’t have a plan you don’t know what to do, you won’t know how many people you need to hire, what is the most important activity for you to do, what should be delegated, what you can hire a consultant to do, how to market your services, if you need sales staff or a marketing division and so on.
The more you have planned the better everything will go.
Just look at one of the best generals of all time.
Napoleon
As a young man Napoleon decided to learn everything he could about logistics and about how to move an army fast.
Whenever he started a new campaign he planned out every detail, down to the number of rounds of ammunition he needed. This way he could move his armies fast, react to unexpected situations and see when things weren’t going according to plan.
How do you know if it isn’t going according to plan if you don’t have one?
This was the question that really opened my eyes to the importance to planning.
If you don’t know exactly what needs to happen, at what moment and in which order, how do you know if you are on track or not?
The answer is, you don’t.
You don’t need a complete plan, but you do need a partial one.
Making a complete step by step plan might feel a bit daunting.
That is the reason it has taken me so long to start planning. You don’t know what EXACTLY is going to happen and therefore it is hard to make those detailed plans.
But if you plan a bit, make a skeleton with a few key points that are important, list things that you know need to be done and done right to succeed, you will probably start to find more things that need to be done in order to do them and so on.
By having a partial plan you will at least have a much better idea than if you don’t have one at all.
Action Exercise
1. Set your goals in clear words (read Setting Goals for more information).
2. Spend an hour making plans to make those goals a reality.
3. Take action on the first thing that needs to be done and start doing something every day to bring you nearer to your goals.
Photo Credit: Kopfjäger
Related posts:
Daniel,
I loved your Napoleon reference. Have you read The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene?
He has quite a bit about Napoleon in that book.
I agree with everything you say about planning things out.
It’s very important.
A lot of people get tangled up with planning, because they are too afraid to start. They feel as they need the PERFECT plan. The truth is, we must start now, because we really don’t know where our roads will ultimately take us. The person who delays action will surely meet with no success.
It’s very important to start with the ending in mind.
By the way, you need to fix this comments box. When I type, the box really stretches out and the aesthetics become absolutely unproportional. Maybe something is wrong with the coding or the plugin you are using.
Hello Numair,
Thanks for leaving your comment.
I haven’t read The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene, but I’ll definitely look into it.
I recently read an autobiography about Napoleon that has kind of gotten me on a Bonaparte streak.
What you say about over planning and having the “perfect” plan is completely true.
You want to make your plans but you have to take action before anything can happen.
I am looking into the commenting problem but I have at the moment no idea what is wrong.
Hopefully I will find it soon.
Hope to see you here again soon.
//Daniel
Absolutely, man!
Sorry it took so long to respond. I was on vacation, and I had NO internet access whatsoever. Can you imagine being without internet for five days?
I have more of your blog posts to read.
I can really resonate with your message, and I’m glad you love to read. Kevin Trudeau says, “leaders are readers”. I really believe that. I received your e-mail, and it’s awesome that you have the book reserved on your Amazon list.
This book will seriously change your life. It’s one of the three books that have made the greatest impact on me.
- Numair
Hey Numair,
Great having you here as always.
Welcome home, now you can spend those hours you need on the net
I am glad you liked my post and well books are the source of knowledge.
It would be madness not to use them
//Daniel
Hi Daniel, i found this post through Stumble, and yes you’ll be getting a thumbs up as soon as i’ve typed this out.
I agree that planning is very important, however I’ve been suffering from poor health for the last year so my plans have been somewhat kicked into touch. I do what i
i can when i can and i know that i am moving forward.
I go back into hospital at the end of the month so once i’m discharged i will be able to pick up my game plan and continue on my road to success.
Your comment box is very off putting as part of my typing is disappearing from view, i just hope my spelling is ok lol.
Have you heard of the 100 blog comment challenge?
Pop over to my blog and have a look to see if you’d be interested in taking part.
I have a dedicated page for the contributors, it’s on the top right of your screen and gives you all the details.
We have 86 people involved and need just 14 more.
Jump in Daniel and let’s have some fun while working
Regards, Barry
Hi Barry,
Thanks a lot for this awesome comment.
I hope you feel better soon and that you will be able to get yourself back on track.
The only thing to do is update your plans
I am working on the comment problem…still don’t know what is wrong though.
I’ll take a look at your blog and se what are working on.
Speak to you later
//Daniel
Hi Daniel, excellent news!!
I’ve added you to the contributors page and let it be known that you’re taking part in the 100 blog comment challenge.
Best of luck and i hope that you enjoy it.
R&R, Barry
Hi Daniel,
Well, I just saw what you mean about the typing! It just drifts of the end of the page!
Great post, very well outlined. I totally agree that planning is important.
Good luck with the challenge!
Enjoy the journey.
Mandy
Thank you Mandy,
I hope to see you back here again and hopefully the commenting problem will be solved by then
.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
A important post you have here.
Planning indeed is important not only it gives you
the direction you need, but most important of all
is the best way to organize our thoughts.
Putting our goals, plan and thoughts on paper
gives us a “base” to improve, fine tune or change
our approach when things do not goes according
to our..well, “PLAN” with much more clarity.
Your point on how our plans aren’t written
in stoneis very important one also.
I once read a very brilliant book called
[The Grand Strategist] which says something
that goes like this
A 1st class execution of a 2nd class plan
is better than a 2nd class execution of a
1st class plan.
IS the best quote I had known so far to remind
ourselves the trap of over planning.
Cheers
Jason Ser
Hi Jason,
Thank you for this great comment.
You are so right about the importance of action and execution.
Many people plan their whole life and never start a project that means that for all their plans, nothing ever happens and they never succeed.
Thanks again for visiting and I hope to see you again soon.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Called to see you through the 100 blog challenge and what a great article on planning. I am as guilty as anyone of failing to plan sufficiently. And this is one of the powers of this challenge namely to meet others who can help others in so many ways.
Thanks for this and I look forward to reading more.
All the best
Richard
my recent article http://richard-davy.com/if-we-hold-on-together/
follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/Rich1d if you dare!
Hi Richard,
Up to just about 2 years ago I was an awful planner.
When I realized it and started making changes, it has really made a difference.
So far I have found the “challenge” very intriguing and I look forward to seeing how it continues.
//Daniel
Hi, Daniel,
Thanks for the planning reminder! I have been flying with only an end goal in mind. . Cold you please check on your comment box? I have no idea if my fingers were even on the right keys because I can’t see what I am typing. LOL! Now I will have a daily plan.
Thanks for the tip!
Fran
Hi Fran,
It all looks right to me
I am looking into the comment box problem.
Having an end goal is of the utmost importance, but like you say making a plan makes it all a lot easier.
Thanks for the visit and I am glad I prompted you to make a daily plan
Hi Daniel,
Great post there, lots of good information to take in.
I agree with your comments and know how important planning is! I see so many guys creating products and running their business on the fly it’s ridiculous.
Poor planning can leave so much still on the table your income is wasted.
Create your plan, stick with the outline and build on it. Brainstorming and mind maps work great for me, also and outside look at your plan goes a log way. I usually ask my peers opinions and advice, this can usually add to your plan to increase value.
Hey Daniel,
Thanks for the comment, using mind maps and brainstorming are great techniques.
Just getting things on paper make a huge difference for more.
I try to never be without my trusted pen and notebook so that if a flash on inspiration comes along I will be prepared to take advantage of it.
“Failing to plan means planning to fail” is the great quote about why you cannot run a business without a good plan.
Thanks again for the comment and speak to you later.
Hi Daniel, A building doesn’t just go up. An architect makes a
plan and then workers build according to plan. the same stratigy
should be taken in creating your business. Good post.
Terry Conti
Hey Terry,
Great analogy!
That is precisely what I mean.
Thanks for visiting.
//Daniel
“Failure to plan is planning to fail.” My problem has always been getting stuck in the planning phase. I’ve learned how to move into action. That’s where the fun is.
Great post!
Mary
Hi Mary,
Thanks for visiting and for leaving your comment.
Just like you say, all the planning in the world won’t get you success.
If you don’t put those plans into action.
Great job in taking that step and beginning your journey to success.
//Daniel
Oh, I agree. But acting without a plan won’t get you much further. The two work together to bring success.
Exactly Mary,
Finding the right balance is what is hard, it is different for every individual, but at least some of each is required
Thanks for stopping by again, hope to see you here again soon.
Hi Daniel,
Good to meet you here on the 100 post challenge.
There was a time when I tried to get my planning perfect
before I started anything…but now things are good.
Thanks for your great post and the reminder.
Cheers
Bryan
Hi Bryan,
The challenge has been fun so far
Finding the right combination between planning and action is important.
You need both, but if you pick only one, that one should always be action.
Talk to you later!
//Daniel
Hi Daniel
Excellent post! I think every one of us is guilty at one stage or another in our lives of not planning. As we all know it is such an important tool in business.
As other blogers have mentioned taking immediate action is another one of those must do items.
I think I remember hearing a Tony Robbins tape saying never leave a planning session with out doing at least one action item to its attainment. No arguments from me about the amount of time saved by good planning. If you had to list one item of importance in planning what would that be?
Many Thanks
Hi Stan,
Thanks for this awesome comment!
I have heard Tony say that as well. It is a great lesson to learn.
The one most important point in planning, to me, is having a goal.
If you don’t have a target in mind when making plans, the planning process becomes superfluous.
At the same time if you don’t take action nothing will happen, but if you don’t have a goal you have no idea of what you want to or are trying to achieve.
//Daniel
A useful post on planning Daniel.
I didn’t realise Napoleon planned his battles to such fine detaail, just goes to show that genius is 95% perspiration and only 5% inspiration. 
I think your comment box is too large, which is why the type runs too far. You need to get into the HTML code and alter the width. I think that will work.
Good luck with the 100 comment challenge Daniel.
John
Hi John,
I am working on a completely new design so hopefully this problem will be gone before long.
Napoleon is a very interesting read, I just published a book review of the book:
http://lookingtobusiness.com/personal-growth/book-review-napoleon-by-paul-johnson
You should take a look.
Hard work, smarts and planning are the keys to any success
Hi Daniel
Planning is something that I am always doing.
Setting goals on a daily basis, weekly and monthly…then reviewing every thing.
It’s the only way to know if you’re making real progress.
Welcome to the challenge it’s good to have you on board.
I hope you enjoy the blog hopping
Cheers
Steve
Hi Steve,
Great job on the goal setting, that mentality and those habits are really going to make your future bright.
It is great finding so many new blogs to read and I have added a few to my RSS.
Thank you for having me and I look forward to new challenges in the future.
Hello Daniel,
You’re so right! ““Failing to plan, means planning to fail”.
Sometimes I thought I have a whole plan in my mind but I didn’t write it down. Until I do, I found most of the answers or solutions are missing…and I lost the connections of all the skeleton of plan. Thus my goal become very blurred and untouchable. This post is very accurate about how to plan out the whole idea. You are great, Daniel.
Thanks for sharing.
Connie
Thank you very much for those kind words Connie.
I learned about planning in a similar way, I would come up with, what I thought was, a brilliant plan.
But without anything on paper details started to be forgotten and before long it all blew up in my face.
Working with detailed plans has really helped me
Hi Daniel:
Awesome post. I liked it and you have organized factual contents in a methodical way.
That makes it more easy to follow. Planning and goals work hand in hand. I will like to read future posts from you. Now please go to my blog post “How to wrie an ebook that is included in the best seller list” URL is showing on the top of the box. It is a part of 100 comment challeng.
Talk again
Hi Fran,
Thanks for stopping by. I am on my way through all the posts so I’ll comment on yours soon
Hi Daniel
Planning is the key to making in progress, when I fail to plan for a day it feels horrid, I look at the blank page and wonder what I am supposed to be doing next. With the plan laid out, I can rattle through the list and actually have some free time at the end of the day to prepare the next day.
igor
Igor you are just like me. When I don’t know what needs to be done, I feel lost.
What is supposed to be done next? What is important and when am I finished with a atask?
Great seeing you here and I hope you will be back soon
I think you touch on some important point,s like the importance
of a well planned process. But you know what they say about the
best laid plans of mice and men.
Just something to keep in mind.
Action ALWAYS speaks louder than words (and plans) – just what I have found anway.
Nice post Daniel, found you through the challenge
Hi Alex, Thanks for the comment.
You are completely right, making a plan is worth nothing if you don’t take action.
Hi Daniel,
I agree with you about planning.
Most people (read: me) go out and just start doing things
according to what seems good in the moment and then they
don’t end up getting anywhere.
This will kill you with business.
Thanks for posting this!
Peace,
Darren L Carter
Hi Darren,
I am glad to hear that this will help you.
Let me know how it goes for you, I would love to hear it
Pingback: Contributors to The 100 Blog Comment Challenge | Mark Sherman's Blog
hi Daniel,
thanks for stoppin gby my blog.
One challenge I have with planning anything is that my family is
so large, I never know what to expect!!
I can plan to do something, but when the kids get up, or I get home
from work…..I never know what to expect!
School projects, back to school night, dinner (that takes a lot of
planning itself!!)Need something for school, TV is broke,
computer is acting up, etc.
So I just do what I can and make my list of things to do and when I
get a minute I start going down the list!
Deadlines for me at my house are non existent. I set my goals, with
a tentative date, and do what I can!
Thanks for the post.
One question…what do you think about the Law of Attraction?
Thanks,
Lisa~
Great point Lisa.
Sometimes things out of your control mess up your attempts to plan.
I think your approach is great. Try to make plans and when you have the time, do what you can
What you need to remember is to rela as well, don’t let your plans and list take all your time and energy.
The Law of Attraction is a very central principal, for those unformiliar with it, it states that whatever you think about most of the time you attract back into your life.
Situations will always come that reflect you and your goals.
I believe it to be true, but mostly in the sense that you start to see the opportunities.
The opportunities were there before, you just didn’t see them.
People of course will be attracted to people with the same type of goals and ideals, opening up even more opportunities for you.
Thanks for commenting Lisa, hope to see you back here soon
Hey Daniel,
We all need a master plan. I am constantly adjusting and
tweaking my own. Thanks for this post.
J
The Cartoon Coach
Thanks for stopping by Carstarphen.
Good luck with your master plan
So very true Daniel. I am sure you will have heard of the 6 P’s.
(the more polite ones say 5). We used in a lot when I was in
catering but I know others use it too. “Prior planning prevents
piss poor performance”! Need I say more?
Sandy
Very true Sandy, the (5)6 P’s are another way of saying “failing to plan means planning to fail”
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you here again soon.
Hi Dan,
Cool post. I have been reading a book lately called Superself written by
Charles Givens. In this book he goes into great detail about making a
dreams list first. The things that you would like to accomplish
in your lifetime without worrying about if you had enough time, money talent,
skills or support from your family. He says to write out at least 25.
This is the srtarting point. From there you take each dream and make goals based on that dream.
It’s a really cool book. I highly recommend it.
It has been said that 83 out of 100 people have no dreams or goals at all.
14 of them have goals but they are mental and not written. Only 3%
have written dreams and goals.
That’s what separates the wealthy from the average for sure.
Take Care and good posting.
Steve
Hey Steve,
Writing out your life long dream goals is a awesome technique.
I don’t remember who taught me it but the advice I got was to write down 100goals for my life.
The effect writing down all your goals is immense, it really puts things into perspective.
I work a lot with goal setting, I write down my 10 most important goals every morning and then work on them each day.
It is a great exercise and it has made a big difference in my life.
I’ll definitely take a look at your book
Thanks for stopping by Steve, hope to see you here again.
Hi Daniel,
Some great words of wisdom. If we don’t plan on what we want how
are we going to achieve our goals.
We need to stick to our plans with daily tasks that bring us closer
to our goals.
This post has made me realize I have not got a proper plan for my
next product. I have the idea in my head and have started but no
real direction and where it is going.
So thanks for the kick up the backside.
Craig
Hey Craig,
I am glad I could help, good luck with your launch.
Let me know when you get there and I’ll check it out
//Daniel
Hi Daniel…
Planning and goals are something that I’ve just recently learned
to plan out.
Goals can be a lot like business plans…think about what it is
you want to accomplish at the end and then work backwards…
figuring out what you need to do to get there.
Is is the action steps that will complete the “Law of Attraction”
Notice how the word “action” is the last word in Attraction…
its all about the action and the better prepared we are to take
those action steps the quicker we’ll see our dreams manifest
Thanks for the reminders!
Kathy
Hey Kathy,
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment.
You are so right, taking action is the centre of any endeavor.
Making plans becomes the map that will help you find your way, without it it is like trying to find a store without knowing where it is.
If you run hard enough for a long enough time you might find what you are looking for, but a map will make it easier, but of course no matter how good the map is, it won’t help you if you don’t go out the door.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel
!
Ah planning!
I’ve lost count of the number of plans I’ve put together,
started to use and then deviated from
They are of course live documents, living things,
and that just it , life gets in the way-so change them and keep
them up to date is what I say.
I’m off to do just that.
Best wishes
Mike
Hey Mike,
Great having you and good luck with your planning.
Remember that even though they aren’t written in stone you have to push yourself to follow them.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel
Great post. I agree that having at least a partial plan is essential as without one you just end up chasing your tail. Believe me, I know!
Good luck with the Challenge.
Lynn
Hey Lynn,
Thanks for visiting.
A plan is much better than no plan and a complete plan is better than a partial, but taking action is what will make your endeavor a success or not.
//Daniel
Thanks for this post. It is very true, a detailed plan saves so much energy. Instead of being torn between the various taks, a plan allocates the exact time for each task. Also, a good plan will also make you ready for surprises: If you plan ahead what you shall do in each situation, you will not be devastated when things don’t go by your more optimistic hopes.
Hi Daniel
Thanks for the advice about planning, I’m guilty of working without a real plan, I’ll have to sit down with your post and come up with one!
Hey Stuart,
A plan, even if it is just basic and gives an outline will help.
Hi Daniel
Great advice. It’s not just making a plan – its sticking to it!
I make plans for my internet marketing online business but then
another “shiny new object” (latest product launch) comes along
and I get distracted!
I’ve posted a link to this page on identi.ca for you (makes a change from Twitter!)
Hey Martyn,
Thanks a lot for the share.
I know exactly what you mean, it is so easy to get caught up in the day to day events.
But staying the course and focusing on your plans will over time yield the best results.
This not to say that you shouldn’t jump at opportunities that come your way, just remember that they have to help you move towards your goals.
Hi Daniel,
Great post on goal setting and planning which I have to admit I
don’t do thoroughly enough.
I especially like your heading -
“How do you know if it isn’t going according to plan if you don’t
have one?”
that sums up the situation perfectly. You have just given me a
kick up the backside, thanks for that.
Regards,
Bill
Thanks for the kind words Bill.
I hope my article helps and that you can start moving faster and faster towards your goals.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel, how’s it going? Your article is a good read and on
Be well, Steve D.
a topic that everyone needs to get a major grip on. There’s no
visible end to all of the task’s ahead so we must get the ones
that are most important at the top of our list and knock ‘em out.
Then line up another batch and keep knockin’ ’til the house
starts rockin’.
Hey Steve,
Thanks for stopping by, so far I must say all is so good
Hope to see you here again soon.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
I finally got here!
I was working down the list of blogs and then decided to work up the list!
Woh This comment box is weird!
OK Re Goal Setting and planning. I completely agree to all of it. I have a pinboard and a white board above my head on my desk to help keep me focused. The pin board has my monthly goals pinned to it on different cards. The white board has my daily and weekly tasks written on it. Plus I have a third pin board that has pictures of my dreams!
About 5 years ago I read a fantastic book on goals by Brian Tracey called ‘Goals’
It was brilliant. It taught me how to break down my big goals to little goals. Since doing those techniques I have achieved so much more!
Hope you are finding the challenge good. Phase one is over we have all the contributors, now for phase 2 the commenting. Hopefully everyone will get around to everyone’s blogs so we all succeed. I will see you back here soon in a couple of days. I am keeping a tally of everyone’s blogs of who has commented and who hasn’t.
Have Fun & Happy Blog Hopping!
See you back here soon!
Cheers
Jacinta
Hey Jacinta,
I am a big fan of Brian Tracy, I have actually reviewed his book Goals!:
http://lookingtobusiness.com/personal-growth/book-review-goals-by-brian-tracy
Keeping your goals obvious and working methodically towards them is imperitive to success.
Hi Daniel,
A wake-up call indeed.
I find the planning is not too difficult but sticking to
).
your plan is not so easy – so many temptations
You have to be completely ruthless with yourself and
stick to the plan.
We usually learn the hard way about this!
Good post – got me thinking.
Regards,
Dave
Hey Dave,
I am glad to be of service.
Making plans is usually very fun, like you say, the problem is sticking to them.
Good luck and keep up the good work.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Goal setting and planning, brainstorming and brain dumping are a big part of most anything no mater what it is, doing something without a plan is like you said planning to fail. Thanks for the post.
Mike Fleming
Thanks Mike,
Glad to have you here.
Brainstorming and Brain Dumping are great techniques to get the mind flowing and the creative juices pumping.
Hope to see you here again soon
//Daniel
Your are so right you absolutely need a plan! Thanks for sharing.
Hi Daniel,
I’m totally with you on the importance of setting your plans
down on paper if you know where you’re going and keep moving
forward you can’t fail to get there in the end.
Once the challenge is over I’ll be back for more
To your success
Michelle
Hey Michelle,
Thanks a lot for those kind words, I look forward to seeing you here again.
This challenge really takes up a lot of time doesn’t it?
//Daniel
Hi Daniel
Nice post. I learned so many new things on this challenge that I
have to reassess my goals with all that I learned. So many new
concepts to integrate. I’ve only been up a couple months, so this
challenge came in at a good time. Time to choose the most relevant
next goal and pursue it.
Thanks
Alex
Good luck to you Alex, I am sure you will do well
(I have looked at your blog).
Hope to see you here again soon and that you can use my advice to fuel your success.
Hi Daniel,
We have something very similar in software developing – spend more time in your design (before coding) and that will save you more time fixing bugs! A design is basically a plan – and it will help you find all the kinks before you put the in the software! Planning is important regardless of whatever your task is – even a 100 Comment Challenge! You need a plan of attack to be successful and a way to see your progress. When people fall off their plan, I think that’s when they fail – but like you said its OK to change your plan. I’m going to stop typing now because the comment box is moving side-to-side and I’m not sure what I’m writing LOL
I hope you enjoy the challenge!
Gwen
Hey Gwen,
Thanks for the comment and analogy.
I had never thought of it in software form (of course I don’t work with software so that might be why).
My new design should be launched within a week which will get all these commenting kinks smoothed out
Planning is about the ‘What’
Executive management is about the ‘How to’
And, within a plan, we have to accept that change is inevitable.
So many people fear change and hide behind
‘It ain’t broke so don’t fix it’ the words of a politician not a
business person.
The scientist, Albert Einstein said ‘Insanity is doing the same
thing over and over expecting different results’
Plan and plan for change
Great post thank you
John Edler
Author of ‘Sticky Memory’
http://johnedler.com/blog/sticky-memory-have-i-coined-a-new-term-/?/html
Hey John, Thanks for the great comment.
The quote by Einstein is so fitting for many reasons.
Good luck with your blog and I hope to see you here again soon again.
Hi Daniel,
“Fail to plan, plan to fail” no truer words were spoken.
When I first started out, this was my biggest failure, I had no
plan. I couldn’t work out where I was going wrong. Then it dawned
on me. I didn’t have a business plan.
I then found a mentor that taught me about business.
Now I have a plan.
Pete
Hey Pete,
Congratulations on having a plan.
It really does make a difference as I am sure you have noticed.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel
Plans .. I’ve been shying away from this for quite sometime, I admit. Currently, I have a short term goal, small milestons and working on a plan. Will also get the master plan in place soon.
But I agree with the 1 minute spent on planning can save 10 minutes of execution ..
Again another thing that strikes me is “How do you know if it isn’t going according to plan if you don’t have one?” … actually very true, you just keep on working not knowing where you are in the whole process, are you running in the right direction, what’s your pace, etc etc.
Excellent post … Nice to meet you and will come back to read your posts on goal setting as it would help me
Cheers!
Abizer
Hey Abizer,
Thanks for the great comment.
I am very glad to hear that you are working on your plans and your goals.
This will surely make a big difference to your future successes.
You are very welcome to return and I hope you will be back soon to share your thoughts.
Hi Daniel
A plan of action is definetely needed right from the start otherwise how do you know what you need to do to make your goals come true.
Love your blog and will be coming back for sure.
Regards
Dawn Kay
Hey Dawn,
Thanks a lot for stopping by and I do hope you keep coming back
I worked for many years without a firm plan and it is really like trying to run a race with a chain around your leg.
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Great post, I have to agree planning is so important but not just with your business life but also your personal life. We have to plan to have holidays, plan to buy a new house plan for our future. Planning and goals are very important but you should always put a date on you goals because a plan without a date is just a dream.
I look forward to visiting your blog again very soon.
Take care.
Robyn
Very true Robin.
Planning si required in all aspects of you life just as goals are.
I am glad you touched on the subject of deadlines as it is something I am a firm believer in. If you don’t have a deadline, you never have anything pushing you to succeed now! you might as well succeed later…
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you here again soon
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for a very important reminder of the importance of making plans.
I always try to plan and follow a road map, because if I have no route to follow, how will I know where you will end up? I could end up on the road to nowhere!
Great to visit your excellent blog Daniel, I will be stopping by again soon for more of your great advice.
Regards,
Brian
Hey Brian,
I am glad to hear we will be seeing you here more.
Planning is essential and like you say, you don’t want to find yourself on the wrong path.
Great having you and see you soon again
//Daniel
Hi Daniel,
Without a plan you are just planning to fail! Well you know the quote “Failing to plan, planning to fail”. Setting goals is important. What I am doing is setting small and big goals (short-term goals and long-term goals). By completing the smaller goals I am able to complete my biggest goals too.
Take care,
Andreas
Great methodology Andreas,
By setting a big goal and then working towards milestones on the way you break the big goal down into “bit sized chunks” making it seem less daunting and more motivating.
The next step is planning out how you are going to complete the milestones and you will be well on your way.
Hello Daniel,
My first visit to your blog
The best laid plans go to waste, do they not say?
Don’t you hate when things have contradictory meanings, I do lol,
I have my plans all set out, but like you said they are not set in stone, and are always open to change.
I think it’s important to be flexible with your plans and not too rigid, sometimes head of course and need a few little minor adjustments to get me back on the right track too!
Nice post I enjoyed reading it, speak soon, Sally
Hey Sally,
Let me first say welcome to my blog
“The best laid plans go to waste, do they not say?” – I think the reason most people say this is to motivate you to take action, it is the most important and all to many get stuck in the planning faze. It is better just to get a decent plan and go out and acting then spending years trying to improve the plan.
I am glad to hear you are prepared to be flexible with the plans and are out testing them in reality by acting
Hope to talk to you later and good luck with your goals.
Great points… it is so easy to jump up and run with the next new idea and not think about the what and why of it all…
You got it, failing to plan is planning to fail. With all the information on the internet these days, it is so easy to get caught up in hype and misinformation. A plan is imperative. I concur.
Stopped by on my 11th hour visit for the 100 comment challenge.
Best,
Elizabeth
Hey Elizabeth,
Thanks for stopping by.
I think I missed the challenge (commented on all the blogs but got only about 50 on mine) but that’s life, it was fun
Planning is important especially in a fast moving environment, you have to know what will help you move towards your goals and what, even though a good possibility, don’t help you reach it.
Hi Daniel,
Planning is an essential part of your business however, it should not be the business as you can’t plan enough. Sometimes, what’s unplanned will come up and that’s what you got to be flexible with.
In our modern times, everything is quick with information in abundance and without some planning, all hell does break loose. But I think what we can plan for is what we need for now, later, we don’t know until it comes. So short-term planning makes more sense, anymore than that, you’re planning for the unexpected.
Thanks for the discussion and I’ll see you after the 100th comment!
Thu
Hey Thu,
Great having you Thu and thanks for contributing to the discussion.
I would probably say the opposite about planning. It is better to plan your long term goals and visions but be more flexible about the short term.
By knowing where you want to go you can chose to follow the short term opportunities that move you towards those goals.
Of course the most important thing is always to take action, even years of planning don’t move you closer to your goal, only action will.
Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your goals