So often we look at other people, and think they have it all together.  Maybe you’ve even thought that about me. (Probably not if you’ve listened to this podcast much.)  But who really knows exactly what to do all the time?  Whose plans work exactly as planned?  So much of life is trying stuff to see if it works…and adjusting when it doesn’t.  On this episode we get real about just how much we can actually know, killing perfectionism once and for all, and the surprising element that all true success shares.

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On This Episode

Rhythm of Life – The Importance of Light and Air
Random Riffs – Give Them the Air
Feature Segment – Plans, Prescriptions, Pitfalls, and Pivots

Today’s Quote

In preparing for battle, I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.  –Dwight D. Eisenhower

Rhythm of Life – The Importance of Light and Air

A few weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about all the stuff I’m not doing.  Here’s a link if you want to read it.

One thing that I’m not doing is care for my garden.  Right now it looks like nothing but weeds.  Well, today I decided to tackle at least some of it.  I cut prickers, ferns, twisty vines, and more.  And underneath I found not only the shrubs, but some plants that were barely thriving.  Why?  They weren’t getting enough light or air.

As I worked, I realized our lives are like that too.  We need light and air to thrive – physical, emotional, and spiritual.  It can come in the form of short breaks, times of prayer, exercise.

Here’s a picture of what the hydrangea looks like right now so you and I can be reminded how important it is to let in light and air on a regular basis.  Not once a year when you go on vacation.

(c) Kathleen Thompson

What are you going to do to give yourself light and air?  Leave a comment.

Random Riffs – Give Them the Air

You just heard on the Rhythm of Life that my plants needed light and air to thrive.  Well, that reminded me of a line from an Arnold Schwartzenegger movie called Total Recall.

I couldn’t remember the exact line or why he said it – something like “Give Dem De Air.”  So I Googled it.  And THAT made me think of a song….  Don’t even get me started.

Feature Segment – Plans, Prescriptions, Pitfalls, and Pivots

Many of us, myself included, find ourselves asking the question, “What am I supposed to do now?”  Maybe we had a plan and it didn’t work.  Or something changed.  Or we don’t want what we thought we wanted.  Anything can cause our plans to not go exactly according to – well – plan.

How important is planning?  Some say it’s everything.  Others – well – let’s just say they don’t exactly agree.  So what’s the real truth?  And what kind of plans actually work?  We explore all this and more in today’s episode.

It’s important to note that planning has limitations.  Why?

1. You can’t factor in every possibility.
2. Circumstances can change.
3. Others have free will.

Even when you understand that, it’s easy to feel uncomfortable when you feel uncertain.  Here’s how you can deal with plans that don’t work, and make plans that do.

1. Recognize that uncertainty is normal.
2. Create a plan, not a prescription.
3. Practice with small things.
4. Identify pitfalls and learn how to pivot.

What dream do you have?  Speak it out loud.  Make it real. Then ask yourself:

1. Do have I have a plan, or am I just hoping it will happen?
2. Am I looking for a plan…or prescription?
3. Have I made room for pitfalls and pivoting? What’s the worst that could happen and what will I do if it does?  Do a risk analysis like a FMEA or SWOT.
4. What is the smallest thing I can start with to get used to discomfort and learn and practice?

Then get going.  If you want some help, drop me a line at kathleen@kathleenannthompson.com.  I’m good at getting projects and people unstuck.  And leave a comment.  Let us know what you’re committing to do.  We’ll celebrate with you when you finish.