The age-old mantra of the proverbial Boy Scout reminds us of the importance to have our ducks in a row and to be ready.
So it’s a true statement that those who fly by the seat of your pants are more likely to show their backsides once in a while. We can establish that planning, preparing and being ready pays off.
I have to say though that there is another flaw that can create a different problem—inertia.
Do you know someone who spends ALL of their time planning and preparing and never gets around to digging in and getting the work done?
Is this you?
‘Getting ready to be ready’ can be an ill that can be dangerous. Opposite of the ‘fly by the seat of your plants’ challenge, this flaw can be equally as problematic. Those who suffer from too much ‘getting ready to be ready’ tend to never get anything accomplished other than the lists, spreadsheets and documents they create. The reason it’s dangerous is because to the person, it ‘feels’ like they are busy working even though without action, the plan is virtually worthless.
What it comes down to are two things: Time Management and Action Cures FEAR.
The time management elements are easy to fix: Script your day the night before; Schedule your day by the half-hour increments; and Be unafraid to say no if a new task is presented that doesn’t fit into your scripted schedule.
The second part—Action Cures FEAR—is tougher. Here’s where the rubber hits the road. Nothing can take the place of good, old fashioned action. Once you have prepared your scripted day, for this post’s purposes, we’re not talking a long-term strategic plan, just your daily scripted schedule, execute it.
Stop looking at the clock.
Refuse to skip over the plans that confound you.
Act. Act. Act.
Building better prepared businesses, one action at a time.