Cruel Irony # 2: Half-Cocked Beats Perfectly Planned Every Time
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I have a lot of systems in place to help ensure that work simply falls into my lap and, when it does, that work goes smoothly and efficiently. To the outside observer, these systems seem intricate and well-planned. But that’s not the case… anymore.
It should come as no surprise that I am a writer. As such, if there’s one thing I hate, it’s a blank page. And, when it comes time to take on a new project, my natural inclination is to formulate a plan.
The problem is, I LIKE planning. I like imagining all of the what-ifs, the challenges, the potential roadblocks, and coming up with solutions for them.
Why is that a problem?
Action vs. Analysis
Because, if you spend all of your time planning, you’re not actually doing anything. And if you invest a lot of time in your plan, then when the unexpected happens (and the unexpected ALWAYS happens), it is disappointing. It is discouraging. And it can render the rest of your beautiful plan completely obsolete.
Another reason it’s a problem is that it gives you an excuse. A reason NOT to move forward. It’s a little something known as Analysis Paralysis. You haven’t gotten your plan ironed out yet so, of course, you can’t act on it.
Of course, this problem is really the symptom of two bigger problems: fear of failure and a belief that screwing up is the same as failing.
Rapid Prototyping
While my systems seem well-planned and intricate… the truth is they are working smoothly now because I ironed out the kinks as I grew and developed the systems… not before.
I got tired of planning and planning and planning some more… only to end up tossing that plan in the trash after an unexpected hiccup. Instead I borrowed a page from some very innovative companies (groups like IDEO and Google), called Rapid Prototyping.
The basic philosophy is this: you have an idea, you build a prototype, you push it into the water to see if it sinks or floats. If it sinks, you fix it, and push it into the water again. And again .And again. Until it floats. Then you see if you can make it float better.
Build it. Launch it. Tweak it as you go.
A lot of ideas just won’t float no matter what. And at some point you just have to cut your losses. But many will. The smooth-running, flawless systems I have in place today are mostly the result of five or six years of tweaking them and shoving them off the pier… and staying flexible enough to make sure that this “failure” isn’t simply a glitch with an easy fix.
The Ultimate Success Formula
Success isn’t something you plan for and execute. It’s something you dig for. It’s a dirty, ugly, messy process. But ther IS a formula… a method to the madness (Full Disclosure: I didn’t come up with this I stole it from Tony Robbins):
- Determine what you want and commit to getting it.
- Take massive action
- Observe what’s working and what isn’t, and change your approach accordingly.
Look at that again. Success isn’t a linear path. Decide what it is you want, and get moving forward. If it doesn’t work, try again… just don’t try the same thing over and over and over. If something isn’t working, figure out another way and try that.
Just don’t give up.
The REAL Perfect Plan
Now, all of this said, I do have a planning process that I use:
1. I take an index card, and I write what I want, is as much detail as I can, on one side. On the reverse, I write five to ten general milestones toward achieving it.
2. I take out a new index card, and write down the first milestone, and five to seven action steps that will get me there… including one thing I can do RIGHT then. Something to start building momentum and begin feeling the sense of accomplishment that comes from completing steps on the way to something bigger.
3. If that doesn’t work, I flip it over and create a new set of action steps. If that doesn’t work, I get a new card and try again.
4. When I reach that milestone, I get out a new index card and make a rough plan of attack for milestone 2.
5. I keep at it until I’m done.
At any given time, my entire plan for this goal, whether it’s a personal goal or a business project of some sort, is contained entirely on two index cards, with the knowledge that I’m free to throw them away and start fresh with two completely new index cards if I need to change my approach.
There is no Analysis Paralysis. There is only “is this working, or isn’t it?” And then I move forward accordingly.
This is how I’ve approached my business from day one. It’s how I’ve build up a client roster that’s in the three digits. It’s how I’ve built systems that let me concentrate on the things I enjoy, and not get bogged down in the details “running the business.”
And it’s how you’re going to make a successful go of this freelancing thing.
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