Graham🐝 Edwards

7 years ago · 3 min. reading time · 0 ·

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It "sorta" went according to plan... working in the spectrum.

It "sorta" went according to plan... working in the spectrum.


We all love when it "goes according to plan" because it confirms we know what we are doing, we get to celebrate, and revel in the emotion that comes with winning — There is no denying it. 

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We are also aware that no matter how much we plan and cover all of our proverbial bases inevitably "things" will not go exactly the way we had planned... this we do not love as much. We tend to look at success of our plans in terms of a black or white situation where either it "went according to plan", or "did not go according to plan". In reality thought, it is a spectrum of grey that says, and I quote, "It sorta went according to plan"


It is this so-called spectrum gray that we find ourselves working in and not something black and white. 

Our plans are aligned with our personal goals or agendas and fit very nicely into what we want, but where our execution challenge lies is with a world that is indifferent to what we want and tends to get in the way... all of those people out their with their own plans that may not align with yours, or simply the randomness of the universe with it's laws, weather, and those other things that get in the way. Managing your plans' expected results in an absolute sense may not be the most effective way in achieving success, but rather managing degrees of success as an on going way to achieve your plan. 

In fact it is far more important that you are moving in the right direction towards your planned results and when you ask yourself if you further ahead this week than you were last week you can say, "Yes"

Some thoughts for working in this spectrum of gray... 

Have your plan written down: Yes this may be obvious, so let's just call it good housekeeping. What is important is to have measurements in place so you can determine success of your plan and activities. This way you can determine how successful you are and the status to plan when you say, "It sorta went according to plan".

It always takes longer then you expect (Be Patient): People (as a species*) are notorious for underestimating how long something will take to do, as well as underestimating how difficult it will be, overestimating our capability, underestimating what is needed, et cetera. This is even before the randomness of the universe gets involved with weather delays, recessions, real-estate busts, et cetera. I should point out I'm a big believer in driving urgency to stimulate innovative thinking and creativity but not necessarily as a driver for a deadline.

It is an intellectual activity not an emotional one: Working in the spectrum, as with most activities in business, is an intellectual activity... problems to be solved and opportunities to be capitalized on. Intellectual work executes plans... not emotional work. With that said, utilizing emotional intensity can help you work through challenging times.

You continually need to be moving in the right direction: Success is measured in moving towards achieving your plan and ultimately your goal. If you find yourself moving the other direction then there is more work to be done. This is why you need a plan that can be measured, so you can determine if your efforts are moving you towards success.

Do not quit: It will get difficult every so often; very difficult. If you believe in your plan and your goals, you need to work through this. Sometimes it will be simple will power (emotional intensity) that gets you through the day.

Measure often: Measure how you are doing relative to the plan... more often than not you will be farther ahead than you think and you will be able to course correct faster.

Plans do evolve: This is not to say that if things get difficult that you should change your plan but rather to say as plans are being executed and circumstances (as well as managing the spectrum itself), may require the plans to evolve. My experience in this regard is plans tend to become loftier and playing in the spectrum offers an infinite number of possibilities to build upon.

I saw a friend the other day and asked how it was going, and he said, "Two steps forward, and one step back".

To that I replied, "That sounds about right".

iamgpe 

* artistic licence, with a splash of humour.


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Comments

Graham🐝 Edwards

7 years ago #1

#3
Thanks for pointing this out Rick Delmonico. It is appreciated.

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