We have a get-together on our farm next Sunday. What are the chances of that event happening? Based on our experience of planning a Goa trip with our friends, there is a slim chance.
Why we rarely make that Goa trip happen?
The Goa trip is discussed when we meet our friends in a virtual or an in-person meeting. What happens next is reactive planning. We hurriedly look into our calendars and decide on a date. We start collecting the names of people. Somebody puts an indicative budget while others start discussing places to visit. These activities keep people busy for a few days, and it is decided that the trip would be planned at some other better time in the future.
The main reason for the Goa trip never happening is that we shun the natural planning process. How does the natural planning process work? Let us review how we planned our last family vacation.
The family needs a break from the routine and find some peaceful time to bond with each other. They want to experience new things and explore some unknown place. This is the first step in the planning process - The Purpose.
Next, we tentatively decide the budget, the length of vacation, an inventory of possible locations, things to do. These are the boundaries within which we plan our vacation - The Principles.
By this time, we almost see the outcome. We see ourselves trekking in Leh or relaxing on a beach in Goa. This the third step in our planning process - Outcome Visioning.
At this stage, we start reviewing various packages on travel portals. We speak with people who have already made that trip, plan the itinerary, look for possible activities, discuss places to visit. This is the Brainstorming step of the process.
Once we have generated sufficient details, we start organizing. We finalize the day, decide on the place to visit, firm up the activities, decide on the purchase to be made. Organizing is the step in our natural planning process.
If we are really convinced about this vacation, we focus on the Next Actions. We apply for leave, book tickets and hotel stay, buy clothes, shoes, etc.
In contrast, our Goa Trip is planned reactively. It, therefore, has the lowest possibility of happening.
Take any unfinished task on hand and apply the natural planning process. I guarantee that it would give you that elusive breakthrough and the forward movement to complete it.
Subodh (May 28, 2021)
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