# How to Get Better at Planning By:: [[Brian Heath]] 2023-10-10 Most of the time, plans do not work out. Either the actions or outcomes never happen or happen at the wrong time according to the plan's timeline. There are three methods to get better at planning. The first method is not to plan at all. Live in the moment and do what is necessary. While this is intolerable in some situations, it is the best plan for most situations. If one disagrees, consider how much of one's life is unplanned. Nearly all of it is unplanned; humans tend to fixate on the few occasions where we plan - it is part of what makes us unique in the animal kingdom. The second method is to only plan for the immediate future. So, instead of developing a plan for a year, only plan for six weeks. Many less random variables can cause one's plan to go off course when only considering the short-term. The trick with this method is to only plan for the short-term and not stack many short-term plans together to create a big long-term plan. It is tempting, but it provides no additional accuracy. Ultimately, these first two methods focus on what is happening now versus trying to predict what will be. The final method to get better at planning focuses on what is likely to happen but ignores time. For example, one does execute a plan that predicts when a competitor will enter the market. Instead, one believes that competitors will enter the market and outlines activities to deal with the situation regardless of the timing. In a sense, one is acknowledging the future but not attempting to predict when that future will occur. Thus, one can prepare for that future without locking into time-dependent plans. Think of investing in the stock market. Studies have shown that the market increases in the long run. The best strategy is to invest in this tendency and wait for the increase. Time is acknowledged, but the plan does not rely upon precision timing to generate more return. The same studies show that those who attempt to time the ups and downs of the market end up losing. This is why it is wise not to plan when something will happen but how it will happen. Good analysis is thinking about where things are going rather than when they will arrive. Betting on the exact timing is truly gambling - some will get lucky, but most won't. Betting on systemic progression is a sure thing but less exciting. #### Related Items [[Planning]] [[Progress]] [[Thinking]] [[Systems Thinking]] [[Stoicism]] [[Time]] [[Analytics]]