Art Linkletter used to have a program when I was much younger that was titled, “Kids Say The Darnest Things”. For some of you reading this, that name and show have taken you way back. For others, you do not have a clue as to who I am referring to. Either way, we all know that children typically do not hold anything back. They are honest and can sometimes get parents into some hot water by sharing what they heard. Its not always children…
I was recently reminded of this while talking with a new client. They made a comment before thinking about what they were saying. The truth is, as we discussed, they were just being honest about their situation and sharing a picture of most people. They simply stated, “we were planning to plan…”. Their statement was brutally honest about themselves, me, and probably you.
Like most of us, this couple had the best of intentions. They were intending to sit down and map out a plan. They were intending to make some changes in one of more areas of their life, but life itself just got in the way. Things were neglected along the way and they end up saying, “we were planning to plan.”
When you stop to reflect on this year, where have you succeeded and where have you fallen short. Did you lay out a course of where you wanted to go, what you wanted to achieve, how you wanted to grow? As we wind down these last few days, how has your plan worked out this year or, like most you were “planning to plan.”
Your “planning to plan” may have affect your career, your family, your relationships, your walk with God, your finances, your ________ ( you fill in the blank ). Now is the time to reset your focus. Now is the time to reflect and plan.
Don’t put your planning to plan off. Set down today and begin to plan your focus for the new year. This is a great time to lay out your plan!
How do you avoid “planning to plan” and build an executable plan for the new year? What successes can you share with others?