Planning and Doing

What is more important, planning or doing? You can create a great plan but if you don't execute that plan then there isn't a lot of value to the plan. You can do a lot of "stuff" but if the stuff isn't part of a plan then typically you are getting nowhere fast. Planning and doing are equally important as you strive to accomplish what is most important to you.

But how many times do we wake up in the morning and just dive into a lot of activities without an end in mind? Do you ever sit down at work and start checking email and find out that 3 hours later you have accomplished nothing but cleaning out your inbox of junk?

On the other hand, what about the dreams, goals and projects that you have laid out and yet have found yourself afraid to take the first step. The little voice inside your head tells you that you don't have time, that you are too old, too bald or not smart enough. The plan just sits on a piece of paper or in the back of your mind gathering dust.

Create a plan, write it down and then do it! It doesn't matter whether it is a plan of what you are going to accomplish today or the plans for the business that you are going to start - begin with a plan and then get started. Planning and doing are both critical elements that go hand in hand. Plan your work and work your plan.

Evaluate Every Influence

Here's an earth shattering statistic: According to researchers at the University of North Carolina and Rhodes College, the increase in Wal-Mart Super Centers accounts for 10.5% of the rise in obesity in the United States since the late 1980s. The study is published in the Journal of Urban Economics. Their research found that it was due to the low cost of food sold at these super centers. In other words, since it's highly convenient and accessible, people eat more. Talk about stating the obvious.

In Juggling Elephants we talk so much about focusing on your purpose and not being distracted by emotion, laziness, convenience or other factors. There will always be negative influences (like inexpensive, highly processed food) around you that can take you off course (i.e. add to your waistline). The flip side of the Wal-Mart effect is that they offer healthy food at lower costs as well-people just tend not to buy them in the same volume.

The key is to evaluate every influence and determine whether it is helpful in moving you toward your desired outcome or pushing you further away from it. If you can't remove yourself from a negative influence, at least minimize your exposure to it. In other words, don't stand in the candy or snack aisle and say, "I can resist the urge to buy that 3 pound bag of chips." Spend more time in the fruit and vegetable area admiring the oranges and apples-and then buy some.

The Fierce Urgency of Now

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. understood the importance of "Now" and the need for "Urgency." He said,

"We are now faced with the fact, my friends, that tomorrow is today. We are confronted with the fierce urgency of now. In this unfolding conundrum of life and history, there is such a thing as being too late. Procrastination is still the thief of time. Life often leaves us standing bare, naked, and dejected with a lost opportunity. The tide in the affairs of men does not remain at flood -- it ebbs. We may cry out desperately for time to pause in her passage, but time is adamant to every plea and rushes on. Over the bleached bones and jumbled residues of numerous civilizations are written the pathetic words, 'Too late.'"

As it relates to how you manage your time or focus on what is most important, what do you need to have a "fierce urgency" about-before it's too late.

That Little Something Extra

Thomas Friedman had a fantastic op-ed piece in the NY Times on October 23. While the article was entitled, The Election That Wasn't, there were several strong points made about the work habits we will need to have as we function in a global economy. His most intriguing idea to me was the idea of doing something "extra" in your job. Here's an excerpt from the article:

But just doing your job in an average way — in this integrated and automated global economy — will lead to below-average wages. Sadly, average is over. We’re in the age of “extra,” and everyone has to figure out what extra they can add to their work to justify being paid more than a computer, a Chinese worker or a day laborer.

The thought of adding "extra" to your already overworked schedule probably makes you want to scream, but it reaffirms what we talk about so often with Juggling Elephants. You can't afford NOT to get to what is most important. The stakes are too high.

The next time you are engaged in planning for your day or week, aggressively seek to delegate, delete or delay those tasks that don't offer maximum return on purpose. You simply must create room in your lineup to provide that something "extra." Go back to the circus metaphor for a moment. While you may remember the entire circus event as a positive one, It was probably one or two acts that REALLY exceeded your expectations-and created those lasting memories.

Fail to provide the "extra" in your job, and you may find yourself with a little "extra time" in your work ring or maybe needing a little "extra" to make it through the month.

A Tip From The Literary World

While working on our next book, I came across a writing tip that offers insight for those struggling with too much to do. The tip is, Eliminate unnecessary words. Sounds simple enough, but in writing it is easy to add lots of words to make sure you get your point across in full detail. Unfortunately, in that desire to get the message across people can get lost in all the explanation or illustration.

The tie with time management is simply this-Eliminate unnecessary activities. Within your ability to control, take out as many things as you can that don't contribute to your purpose or help you accomplish what's really important to you.

The goal is to bring clarity to your day, focusing most sharply on those 4-5 things you can undertake that will make the biggest difference. Making a mile long to do list and then trying to pick out what is most important is like reading a book that's too "wordy." It's easy to get lost.