The most common excuses for not planning:
- I don’t have time to plan –
In one study, this excuse was used by three quarters of those who do not plan.
Either you plan or others will do all your planning for you. Since someone
will plan, why not make it you?
- I already know what I have to do –
People who do not plan are caught in reaction and routine. The things they
believe they “…have to do…” are often the least important
matters that seem the most pressing or urgent.
- Planning does not work for me -
I have too many interruptions – The more interruptions you face the greater
the need for planning. Fitting important activity between interruptions can
be quite a challenge. Unless your job is controlling the interruptions of
others (e.g. receptionist) you must control intrusions with a plan.
- I feel tied down when I have a plan –
It can indeed be deflating to look at your list of items. The answer is not
to avoid planning but to improve your ability to develop realistic plans.
Put breaks, rest, relaxation and reward time into your plan so it is not so
intimidating.
- I don’t know
how to plan – Admitting what you don’t know is the first
step to learning. For a few months set a goal of improving your planning skills.
Read everything you can find on the subject.
