Comments on: Plans, Planning and Control

By: Liz

Liz — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:40:48 +0000

@Jennifer- preparation vs. planning… interesting thought. Preparation definitely sounds more action-oriented to me- and maybe even one step beyond what I think of as planning (which for me seems mostly a mental process). Maybe planning is the first step in preparation? Or preparation is a step in planning? This definitely has me thinking- so thanks! BTW- just checked out strongmothers.com. LOVE what you gals are up to over there!

By: Jennifer Hogan

Jennifer Hogan — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 13:11:26 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the difference between planning and “the plan.” I, too, sometimes have an on-again-off-again relationship with lists and plans. I love your four principles of a plan – it creates a concrete idea behind a successful plan, and actually turns a plan into something more like “planning.” It may be sematics, but when I use the word preparation instead of planning, it becomes more action-oriented and causes me to follow-through better. Moms, especially working moms, find that plans change all the time. Thank you for your suggestions – I will use myself and share with other moms!
Love,
Nif

By: Emily-Sarah

Emily-Sarah — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 17:15:52 +0000

HUGE shift in mindset/feeling! I struggle when my plans, big or little, are sidetracked/derailed/CHANGED (and as you had mentioned, usually just throw up my hands ’cause I can’t rebound). Sometimes it is really my attitude that derails me and NOT the “interruption” in my schedule. But absolutely, oh yes, this is crucial, isn’t it? Realizing that the goody lies in not specific plans per se, but the element of planning (and what that says about our strategy, preparation, etc.). THANK you for this. I am in the middle of CHANGE (and feeling more discombobulated than I should because so much in up in the air and I can’t PLAN every detail, but I can certainly have a mindset of “planning” that will serve me even in this interim time).

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 22:45:34 +0000

Steven-
Glad you found this helpful! Feel free to pass it on to your mom!

By: Steven | The Emotion Machine

Steven | The Emotion Machine — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:22:58 +0000

Very, very useful post – you should tell this stuff to my own Mom, she has lists scattered all around the house and she is constantly stressed out. Your approach seems much more effective and fun, and I completely agree with your assessment on the limitations of planning. I also really enjoyed this point you made about what it ACTUALLY means to plan, “Planning also helps you identify and prepare for alternative scenarios.” That to me is true planning – it is being prepared, but not necessarily having to do things through a rudimentary step-by-step procedure.
.-= Steven | The Emotion Machine´s last blog ..Everyone Needs A Creative Endeavor =-.