If there is one thing that I have heard my dear friend Tim Berry (founder of Palo Alto Software and my personal Obi Wan Kenobi of business planning) say over and over through the years, it is:
“All plans are wrong by definition. But the act of planning is essential to business success.”
One of the main reasons I wrote Body of Work was to energize my network around the idea of consciously choosing what you create, contribute, affect and impact throughout the course of your life.
And when “throughout the course of your life” becomes too overwhelming of a timeframe, I like to go with “what are you going to create in the next 12 months?”
We are on the first day of December, 2014.
You have 30 days left to spend some time thinking about your goals and strategic priorities for next year.
I will be sharing tools and ideas this month to help you with this planning process.
Here are three questions I ask you to ponder as you decide what to create next year:
- If 2015 were to be the last year I could create and contribute something uniquely meaningful to the world, what would that something be?
- Who do I care about serving next year? What do they need?
- What brings me great joy to create, and leverages my strengths?
Brainstorm a list of ideas, whittle your list down to three, then have some fun with one of the simplest planning tools I know: a flip chart and a stack of post-it notes.
I made a short video to help illustrate this tool. (Link to see it on YouTube here: http://youtu.be/K6g33Fw3dSg )
Stay tuned for more tips on planning and crafting your body of work in the month of December. The world needs what you have to offer!
Very helpful stuff! When you showed me this at the beginning of the year it was really useful in completing my book project. Now I’m using for my course roll out. Thanks!
What a simple yet powerful way to approach planning. Thanks for sharing this, Pam! (Btw, love that you referenced Tim Berry – I’m a fan of his work.)
This idea brings me such peace, Pam. Only three things… What a relief!!! Thanks.
Few people on this planet have the focus and dedication to get things done. And inevitably, their work shines in the world. It’s weird that few understand the basics of getting things done. And yes, one of them is planning ahead. I really liked the way Tim Berry has put it. Thanks, Pam, for all you do!!
Thanks, Pam! This is so helpful. As a visual/tactile person this is a perfect way to help me map out 2015 in a way that I understand.
Such a simple but effective way to start putting some major milestones in place for the upcoming year. Love those star post-its! 🙂 Looking forward to your upcoming videos this month on planning.
Pam,..love the first question! Really brings clarity to the creation process. Great question! Great process. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Pam! As planning is not my forte I was really excited to receive your email with these practical steps. I love the simplicity of the process which will help me to kick-off the new year with the right goals in place.
Pam,
You had me at Tim Berry and Obi Wan Kenobi. Thanks for sharing the powerful yet simple manner of planning the year. Taking action and following through is now what I’ll have to do!
Simple and elegant! 3 ideas…. 4 quarters… thank you for breaking it down in such a helpful way. I look forward to diving in and getting crystal clarity on my 2015 body of work!
I love the simplicity of this–I think it’s actually doable even for me 🙂 I love that you mentioned Charlie in this video too! Good stuff and will be sharing for sure. Thanks Pam! ~N