Who said “it is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time”? Hmm?
How far ahead should an entrepreneur look? Nobody would advocate lack of planning but trying to cater for every future event or circumstance that is possible but cannot be predicted with certainty is exhausting. What is the impact on productivity of such an enemy of action?
A close friend called me late last night to ask what she should do in a series of situations. I got in a tangle as I tried to resolve various difficulties; finally I suggested: “‘why don’t you call me when that situation arises and I’ll address it then?”
There’s only so much planning and preparing you can do to ensure future successes and reduce future risks.
I find it much more effective to deal with the situation I am in at that moment. I’ve made this a deliberate, informed, adult decision. It’s a decision based on years of experience as a former dedicated worrier, multi-tasker, and planner extraordinaire.
Like many approaches to tackling life and business, tasks and decisions it has its limitations but the benefits to such an approach, e.g. reduction of mental stress and removal of barriers to action, are not to be taken lightly.
So why do I let others make me feel guilty about not having answers for a series of events that may or may not occur in the future due to a particular course of action I might choose to take now? I’m not sure; but guilty I do feel.
However, this feeling is much reduced when I find respected heavyweights such as the one above expressing sentiments to support my way of thinking! The quote at the top? It’s Winston Churchill.
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Amen!!!!! I think I used to be a bigger planner but got swayed by your school of thinking over the years…
…and I like it this way 🙂
You should definitely watch Sheryl Sandberg’s (COO of Facebook) TED talk on women in tech:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/24/sheryl-sandberg-ted-talk_n_800947.html
*Just watched the video! It’s well worth the watch. *
Also want to add that I find personal/career/life choices are different from business planning. As any SME business owner knows, the day that you don’t have to live hand to mouth is a happy day. If you have the luxury of being able to plan what you want to do rather than what your company has to do to survive, that’s when you know you, as MD/CEO, have done a reasonable job.
With personal scenarios/situations – I plan my workload so I can get everything I want done, done. Outside of that, I’m easy enough to go along with what’s going on.
To put it another way … I guess the point of the post is to reiterate the need to “cross that bridge when you come to it”. Well, I guess there are many bridges that I have to cross throughout my life, and as long as I cross all the ones that I do want to cross, its pointless to worry about the rest.
We all seek to find meaning in our work and lives, active planning is my way of ensuring I keep on track. It sounds like Bela’s friend is doing a lot of “reactive” planning. Tell them to get a grip. Life is too short. Put the same energy into thinking about how you can create true value and meaning for others if your life. That’s a way better use of energy.
Just my 2 pence wroth.