Not Quite To Plan

If we’re lucky, some of our plans will go to plan.

Usually, that’s not how it goes:

• The idea was good, but it just didn’t quite work out. Not because you’re no good, but because that’s just what happens sometimes. Otherwise, you could go to the Plan Store and buy any outcome you wanted, couldn’t you?
• The idea was no good, and you lost something because of it. Not because you’re no good, but because that’s just what happens sometimes. The art of planning is to respond appropriately, rather than accept this as the end of the road.
• Things changed, and your plan is no longer relevant. Not because you’re no good, but because that’s just what happens sometimes. Update the plan.

The value of a plan isn’t in the plan but in the art of planning and executing. Plan to execute, not for things to go to plan.