Random Wisdom (or DUH)

When you want to achieve big goals, that have a risk of failure, you need a great plan. Big goals require massive action, perseverence in tough times, and guts to step outside your comfort zone and do whatever it takes. If you’re like most people, there are things that you don’t like to do and things you’re even afraid to do. That could be selling, networking, anything with a chance of rejection or failure.

As you plan for your big goal, your attitude towards certain tasks may stop you from really writing down what actions are necessary. If your half way through a plan that seems impossible, there’s little chance that you’ll finish it. And even if you finish it, there’s a good chance that it will contain shortcuts around those tasks you hate. Instead, plan your goal like someone else will do the work. Be brutally honest about what it takes and leave the worries to somebody else. What needs to be done when things go wrong? How many prospects are needed? How much money needs to be invested?

Of course it’s tough to trick yourself, because you know it’s for you, right? Well, when I plan for big goals, I visualize the person who will do the work, complete with a name, a look, an attitude, etc. I imagine this person has hired me as a planner, so my only responsibility is to come up with a realistic, fool proof plan. As I’m planning, that’s my focus. I’m the planner. Whenever worries come up in my head, I ask myself: “As a planner, do I think this task is necessary or not?”. 

Focus on the plan and not on the execution. When you’re plan is ready, then you can start thinking about the execution. And when you do, remember that you might not have to do everything by yourself. Maybe you should get “that other person” to help you.

So, when you plan, just be a planner.