When it comes to planning, I find businesses fall into the following categories: 
1. Planning ad nauseum. You spend a lot of time developing your plan, tracking milestones, assigning action items, etc. But you're so focused on the plan that you're missing signals in the environment telling you to make adjustments to your plan.
Some managers complain that they have planning meetings constantly, but they're really not productive. "Please, not another planning meeting." The planning process itself has become more important than actual results. You're not able to adapt quickly to change. "Hey, that change wasn't in our plan! Now what do we do?"
2. Plan and forget about it. You spent hours, maybe even days, sequestered somewhere putting together a great plan. Made perfect sense. You presented it to the troops. People were energized.
Then business gets in the way. The plan – usually beautifully bound – sits lonely in a drawer or on a shelf. No one is paying attention to it. So sad. It's soon to become irrelevant anyway.
3. What plan? "We're too busy to plan. We're just trying to keep our heads above water right now." Leaders in this category are flying by the seat of their pants. They use the out-of-control nature of their business as an excuse to justify why they don't spend time on planning.
Ironically, the more hectic things become, the greater the need to take a time out and focus on priorities. You don't need to develop an elaborate plan, but you do need to make sure people are heading in the right direction and focused on key priorities.
Planning is a good thing, in moderation. Find the rhythm that works for you or your business.
As the saying goes, "Planning without action is futile. Action without planning is fatal."
What improvements can you make in how you communicate and implement your plan?
Too many managers use planning meetings as "progress report" meetings.
Help team members project what will happen going forward. Challenge them to make adjustments when they need to, to anticipate obstacles and how they'll overcome them.
Keep planning meetings forward focused.
Speaking of which, being forward focused is critical for your own career success as well. You need to articulate what it is you really want to accomplish in the future.
What's your aspirational answer? 
That's a question I posed in my recent CATAPULT YOUR CAREER Teleseminar. We received lots of positive feedback!
Whether you're at a turning point and considering change, or you just want to be proactive in managing your career, you need to articulate your aspirations. Truth is many people can't.
If you're like many people, at some point, you'll think, "Something's got to change." Or "I wonder what could be next for me?"
During the teleseminar, I covered 5 key mistakes professionals make that keep them from achieving what they really want in their work.
You can find the replay here. But listen soon. It will only be posted for a short time.
Listen in here:
http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventID=18861915
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(Time Sensitive)
I'm launching a brand new innovative 6-week Program for those who are
serious about wanting to move forward faster in their career — or gain the clarity they need to position themselves for even greater success.
Introducing the CATAPULT YOUR CAREER Virtual Bootcamp!
Attend online after work hours from the comfort of your own home.
We start soon on Tuesday, APRIL 19!
If you, or someone you know, may be interested, we'd love to have you join us.
Learn more here:
http://www.catapultyourcareer.com/bootcamp
If you have any questions about the new program, just let me know. Hope to see you on the bootcamp soon!
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On the Lighter Side
…If I advance any higher, this would be my career. And if this were my career, I'd have to throw myself in front of a train.
~Jim Halbert – "The Office" |
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