Planning for What We Really Want

An old maxim that’s been used in leadership, business, politics, marketing and even the arts goes, “Those who fail to plan can plan to fail.”

Too often the neophytes in the art world equate spontaneous thinking followed by immediate action with creativity. It does happen, but rarely. Great singers didn’t become great by following this foolish reactionary methodology. At an early age they committed to their end game by putting themselves through voice lessons, methodical practices, rehearsals and auditions.

I’ve written a number of plays and musicals as well as 16 books. In every case the process began with a plan. First an idea. Then a description of the characters in the fiction works and the principles in the non-fiction books. Soon followed the outline of the work. Within the outline I noted ideas I needed to cover for that section and the concrete examples to illustrate the principle.

Finally the time came to write. Certain times were set up for writing. A deadline for completion was established. I then followed the plan.

Directors and producers must do this. Those spontaneous moments during the blocking of a play that are near genius only come about because the director has methodically staged the play before the actors show up.

Did the plan ever change? A better question is “Did the final product exactly follow the plan?” Never... but close.

My father was an officer in the Air Force. He told me that it was standard procedure in training to heavily plan for each mission but be prepared that once you hit the field be prepared to change the plan. Adapt. Improvise. Overcome.

Michael Kami, one of the founders of Xerox, was one of the first to go against the pop trend of 3 and 5 year plans. He said they first established their general goals and general directions and considered them inviolate. Next they discussed the more specific goals for this year. Following that, the team met every Friday and evaluated the week and then laid out the goal for the next week and what they’d need to do in order to accomplish those goals. Week by week Xerox accomplished their goals. Soon they had accomplished their annual goals and eventually their corporate goals.

That’s a sound planning process.

Assuming you have end-game goals, my first question today is... “What did you do last week to accomplish your goals?”

My second question is... “What will you do this week to accomplish your goals?”

Write them down. Hold yourself accountable.

Make sure you consider all three phases of business – and if you have or hope to have a customer you are in business – marketing, operations, and finance. Do something every week on each of these. It doesn’t have to be much, but it does have to take a step toward your objective.

Marketing principle of the day: Plan your work and work your plan. You’ll thus be true to yourself and your dreams.