The Best Laid Plans …

The Joy of Priorities Driving Plans

The trip was laid out. Restaurants were researched and selected. Experiences were reserved. Everything was on a spreadsheet. We were ready to roll.

Two weeks ago, my wife and I along with another couple went on an epic one-week adventure to London, Edinburgh (no matter how you say it – someone will correct you!) and a village outside of Inverness. The “Green” in the group is a former engineer who laid everything we planned on the spreadsheet.

 This was our first “spreadsheet” vacation. I’ll tell you what, the planning allowed us to enjoy the trip without thinking through random details that can erode your time spent. You know what I’m talking about: the infamous 2-hour questions about where we are going to eat … then not eating until we are hangry. 

 What’s interesting is how the detailed planning allowed for awesome spontaneity.  However, even with detailed plans, plans can fall apart. We had an epic e-bike ride planned to a village 5 miles away. Seemed easy enough … but the area is called “the highlands” for a reason.

Just for your information … when you select “bike path” on Google maps in Scotland, you might end up on a sketchy mountain bike path through fields and forests. The plan was for a smooth country path to the restaurant by the sea not the latter … and some people weren’t too excited about it! Some plans don’t account for every detail. 

 We finally arrived at the restaurant with gluten free fish and chips and it was closed. Google Maps said it was open, but the locals say they close and open whenever they want. Even the best plans can quickly fall apart.

We were on the verge of the hangry phase and the only other restaurant in the town was a block away. The meal at IV10 was one of the greatest lunches we’ve ever experienced. It was amazing food and customer service from a family run business. No amount of planning could have prepared us for that meal, but, without the planning, we would have never ridden bikes there.

Great priority driven planning allows for spontaneous decisions to make plans better. Poor planning fosters chaos.   

 For some reason we see two extremes in business. 

• We see detailed plans and positive disruptions leading to great experiences and top performance.

• We see poor planning and leaders wasting time and resources trying to move the needle forward with the team.

Do a quick gut check:

Which camp do you tend to live in more often? _________________

Which camp would your team say you live in? ____________________

 Every business, project, and leader might plan differently. However, every leader needs a process for planning the short term and the long term. Without a solid plan how you can make strategic decisions based on top priorities that drive the business forward? 

 Here are a few questions? 

• Can you quickly share what your top priorities are?

• Does your calendar and time spent reflect your top priorities? 

• Does your team know what’s most important and are they aligned? 

 If the answers aren’t as easy as they should be – it might be time to consider coaching to help you get you and your team ready to roll through 2024 and start 2025 ready to dominate. 

 Remember – when you plan, something will go wrong. Don’t be scared. Follow the priorities and keep driving to accomplish the goal. Who knows – you might end up with something better than you planned.