I scheduled two weeks, back to back, off the seminar circuit to be home with my family.  With the exception of scheduled coaching calls with clients, I had total control over my schedule and could do what I wanted, when I wanted.   The day after getting home, I created a quick list of my priorities and got to work.  Creating programs, audios, writing articles, and I enjoyed doing it.   Most of the time, I would work until around midnight because it’s what I love to do.  And I completed many projects while making great progress on others.

Then as I was getting ready to go through security at the airport to head back out, I realized that I forgot to get a new license when I was home.  From traveling so much, taking my license in and out of my wallet week after week throughout the past several years, my license has faded and airport security was not a fan.  DMV’s are not open on the weekend so these two weeks were my only shot for a while.  Immediately it dawned on my that although I made a quick list of what I wanted to get done, I didn’t make a complete list.  And as the saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.”

So make sure that when you are brainstorming objectives that you think of as many related tasks and outcomes as are necessary to get the job done completely.  Think about your ultimate outcome and then think about all the other outcomes that have to be achieved in order to create the success that you’ve envisioned.  It is obviously much better to do this up front.  Remember, when you successfully plan your outcomes, you’re planning for successful outcomes.

John Ryan


Host of Key Conversations for Leaders Podcast, Executive Coach, Consultant, and Trainer

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