Plan, Manage, Prioritize

thought 19

There are generally three things that make up an effective person. As you might have guessed, a good plan is the first.

Planning as a concept seems pretty simple but the implementation of this time-tested formula sometimes gets thrown to the side with sayings like “shoot, shoot, aim”. In my humble opinion, shoot, shoot, aim is a great way to get someone killed. That isn’t to devalue execution or taking risks but the very idea that you’re going to just do it without a plan is stupid.

Tesla has a masterfully said quote about Edison’s 1000+ experiments to invent the lightbulb.

“If he [Thomas Edison] had a needle to find in a haystack, he would not stop to reason where it was most likely to be, but would proceed at once with the feverish diligence of a bee, to examine straw after straw until he found the object of his search. … Just a little theory and calculation would have saved him ninety percent of his labor.” — Nikola Tesla

Managing or executing the plan is the next very important concept that effective people get right. Just as having no plan before you shoot is dangerous, taking aim and never pulling the trigger can be just as bad if not worst! You waste your time and resources only to leave with no results.

Sometimes waiting for the right moment is important and knowing when to not shoot is important as well, but it should be planned. Like Kenny Rogers says

“You got to know when to hold up, know when to fold up” — Kenny Rogers

Last, but not least, is prioritization is the catalysis. This list should really be a triangle with prioritization at the top. Understanding how to prioritize a plan and its management across life can be the difference between success and failure, especially when you have limited resources.

If you understand the principles of planning, management and prioritize, you’ll be ahead of 90% of the population and I doubt there is anything you’ll not be able to accomplish.

stay tuned.
Sterling