The Career You'll Love

You CAN find joy in your work!

Home > Career Coaching > Too much planning?

Too much planning?

Carl 16 January 2012 0
I tend to put a lot of trust into planning.  It gives me comfort that I’ve prepared for contingencies, that I know how things are going to happen, that I’ve avoided risks.But … I’ve also learned that there’s such a thing as too much planning.

The first problem is that planning can be a way to avoid doing.  I’m in the little cocoon of my plans – nothing can go wrong at this point.  So the more time I spend in creating and refining plans, there’s no risk.  Unfortunately, delaying is usually the risk I’m taking – but that’s not apparent.

The second problem is that not everything can be planned.  Especially when you’re doing something new, something creative:  Any plans are based on a poor understanding.  A house of cards.

The third problem is that planning can take away the joy of experience and surprise.  The best vacations I’ve had were where we had entire days which were unplanned, and therefore could be spent on … anything!  If we want to go sit on the beach for an afternoon, that’s just fine, because there’s no plans.  Want to eat dinner at 10:00?  No problem.

Of course, I’m not comfortable with jumping past the planning stages in much of my work.  The challenge is to find the right balance.

The most powerful example came when I joined up with Small Fish at the end of 2010.  We were warned that there would be a certain comfort in creating lists, in planning activities, and in writing blog posts.  But because our task was to get out there and sell our services, there was nothing to compare with getting out there and having actual conversations with potential clients.

And it’s made a world of difference:  I now have clients.

 

Carl Dierschow is a Certified Small Fish Business Coach and author of the career management guide, Mondays Stink! 23 Secrets to Rediscover Delight and Fulfillment in Your Work. He is a career coach for those going through interesting transitions, and works with small business owners who need to create breakthroughs in achieving their business goals. Find out more at www.Dierschow.com and www.SmallFish.us.If you are interested in individual career coaching, group coaching, or other resources which might help you with difficult choices, please contact Carl at carl@dierschow.com.

Connect with Carl on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to get timely updates and connections to a broader range of professionals.

To subscribe or unsubscribe to this newsletter, send an e-mail to newsletter@Dierschow.com© 2011 Possibilities Partnership LLC

You might also find this interesting:

  • Mentally disconnected!
  • Seize the day!
  • Disappointment
  • Dedication
  • The small voice

Posted in Career Coaching, Newsletter
Tagged Career Coaching, change, inspiration, learning
Logging In...

Profile cancel

Sign in with Twitter Sign in with Facebook
or

Not published

Previous Post: A peaceful 2012?
Next Post: Nurturing optimism

Primary Sidebar

Recent posts

  • Time to switch things up?
  • You’re in business!
  • Why bother with a résumé or CV?
  • The human journey
  • Your vocation

Follow Carl

Follow me on FacebookFollow me on TwitterFollow me on LinkedInFollow me on SkypeFollow me on RSS

Categories

Copyright © 2023 The Career You'll Love. Powered by WordPress and Stargazer.