# A Plan is Better than Nothing By:: [[Ross Jackson]] 2024-09-27 When it comes to planning, there is no shortage of pithy insights. “Planning is everything; plans are nothing,” and “a plan never survives first contact with the enemy” are two that come to mind. In some respects, to plan is to err. Seldom are plans “right.” Reality is too complex and unwieldy to conform to a plan. As eloquently captured on the bumper sticker, shit happens. And so it does. With all its shortcomings, it might be difficult to see why plans and planning receive so much attention. The short answer is a plan is better than nothing. First, a plan requires one to think. Thinking is almost always beneficial. Second, a plan requires writing, which sharpens one’s thinking. Third, a plan establishes a basis for mobilizing attention and resources. One is attempting to execute a clearly defined set of actions through a plan. Doing something, anything, is often more productive in shaping the future. Whereas one can never control what happens, one can change the probabilities. Establishing a plan tilts the odds in one’s favor. Establishing and working on the plan is beneficial. Being able to revise and abandon the plan is useful, too. The plan is a tool. Like any tool, it serves its purpose well and decreases utility as it is overused. Plan, execute, revise. That seems to be the best any of us can do. #### Related Items [[Planning]] [[Reality]] [[Thinking]] [[Writing]] [[Execution]] [[Future]] [[Tools]] [[Revision]]