From a Planner to a Doer
Well anyone who knows me knows that I love to plan. Almost as much as I love to organize and get things just so.
The thing with planning is that it doesn’t really get you anywhere. Don’t get me wrong it’s important to plan, within reason. But when planning is all you ever do you get now where.
Why do we like to plan so much? From what I see planners love to dream, they follow their thoughts to the finish line where the outcome is exactly what they wanted. It’s fun to live in this space because when you are exempt from reality you can become really successful. Problem: pretend success doesn’t pay the bills.
I had the intention of becoming more of a doer in 2010. It was one of the habits I set out to form at the beginning of the year. Although I’m getting better, I still get sucked back into planning mode quite often (cos it’s fun!). There is a technique I came across recently which I think is brilliant and has helped me tremendously in forming the “doing habit”. It’s simple and consists of only three steps.
- Learn
- Build
- Measure
I learned of this idea from Eric Ries of Startup lessons learned. This site is certainly business focused, but it occurred to me after, these same three steps can be applied to anything really.
You start with an idea, implement it as quick as you can, analyse the results and repeat.
You can jump in at what ever stage you happen to be in and get going. The key here is small changes implemented quickly and the results quantified. Everything you do should be to further your knowledge about what you want to do, be it starting a company, a hobby, tackling spring cleaning or developing a product.
The idea here is to move through the cycle quickly so that you can move onto the next thing or stage so that you can get something else done and so on and so on. You’re essentially building processes and seeing what worked, what didn’t what could be refined and tweaked so that next time you’re better at it, quicker and more efficient. This whole process keeps you moving forward one small, deliberate step at a time.
Here are some projects that I’m currently applying this method to. Thanks to the wonders of this feedback loop I’ve been making some lovely progress.
- Monthly newsletter at Serene Journey to keep you in the loop about what goes on behind the scenes here.
- A new online venture is finally coming out of the planning and development phase and heading into the implementation phase.
- My garden and yard is starting to look fantastic.
- After nearly 2 years our bedroom is painted and our flooring is in.
- My online course for working with people to help create a life that rocks (no matter what your age!
) is finally getting out of my head and starting taking shape. – Very excited about this one.
It’s tough when you have so many things on the go all at once but by keeping the steps small and getting through the cycle as quickly as I can all the projects are advancing.
To be honest it’s a bit scary. For a planner to actually be doing is tough, at least for me. I’m constantly second guessing myself and I’m full of self doubt but as I continue it’s actually becoming easier.
If you’ve been in a similar position what techniques have you used to develop the doing habit?
See also:
Experiment With Life (& a thanks to Mianne)
How I Keep Things Moving Merrily Along
What If You Could Do Anything?
Dream Big And Put It Out There
Photo courtesy of: lintmachine
9 Responses to “From a Planner to a Doer”
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It is SO incredible that you wrote about this. I saw your post title and just had to check it out because I wrote something similar on my blog a few weeks ago:
http://brandnewhousewife.blogspot.com/2010/03/revelation-1105pm.html
Now, I’ve made the commitment to actually DO something about the items on my list, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day. I’m starting with working on my personal blog for just half an hour a day. It feels so good to actually put some of my ideas into action!
Laura: last blog ..Menu Plan Monday: 4/19/10
I must really try this, since I’m a planner too! And I really need to get my blog out the door soon. I really think I will just get the logo done and use a spare theme to get it out.
I dunno, it is hard to stop planning and start doing, but once I really understand that transition I hope it becomes easier.
I can totally relate~
I love to plan and organize!!! And, like you, I sometimes run into trouble when it’s time to actually put those plans into action. What helps me past this hurdle is setting a time frame around the plan, moving it out of plan stage into more of a goal.
I did a post this past January on S.M.A.R.T goals that expounds on this – check it out, if you get the time.
http://www.wonderwomanwannabe.com/2009/12/goal-setting-smart-way.html
Love your blog!
It’s true, you really do feel like you have already “done” the thing when you start planning. EG Saying “I will do “such and such” every week for the rest of the year”…actually gives you the sensation that you done this thing on a weekly basis!
I like your idea about doing it quickly, no matter how small!
Meeks: last blog ..My 5 links for the week
“Problem: pretend success doesn’t pay the bills.”
Haha I love that point you made Sherry. Poignant but true.
We sometimes get into our comfort zones about our dreams and plans, but then we lose track of time and get lost in our dreams.
Vincent Nguyen: last blog ..How much is your T.I.M.E. worth and how do you make it more valuable?
Oooh I so agree that it is nice to remain in the planning stage cos you can imagine ‘success’ all in the head without reality spoiling it all ;p But i got so tired of me not implementing that i stopped planning all together ;(( But I am back on track and I have been trying this out- ‘Think and DO!’ so whatever idea pops into my head, i try get it done no matter what! Of course it has not been 100% action rate but I am pretty pleased with some of the actions and also thankful that somethings needed to be delayed.
This post really struck a chord with me. I realize that I have been spending so much time planning, making lists, adding things to the schedule, etc. but I often procrastinate DOING any of them. Its become almost debilitating…and I’ve started to have to deal with the negative repercussions of putting things off far beyond what they should be. And I’m disappointed in myself. I am happy to read you have been able to overcome it – and I’m hoping I can too!
Sue: last blog ..Unexpected Motherhood