Too often, we become obsessed with developing the perfect strategy and the perfect plan to tackle a new initiative.

One of the first tasks after gaining approval to move forward with a new idea is to come back with your plan.

There’s a lot of pressure on this plan.

If it isn’t reasonable, or too conservative, or too ambitious, or too expensive, or asks for too many resources or time, that approval stamp may be rescinded.

It has to be right. It has to be perfect.

This is a trap.

There is no such thing as a perfect plan.

The plan should not be a promise about execution, it should be a framework, a guide and a playbook for how things will go. It should paint a picture of the intent, but also should allow room for navigating the ambiguity of the unknown.

We never know everything and there is always something unexpected that will affect the timeline, resource needs, budget, or delivery. The plan is the view based on the information available today.

Despite flaws in a plan, execution is still key and making forward progress amid uncertainty is the name of the game. The real skill is being able to be nimble and adapt to the changing realities, in real time and with good judgment.

So, remember that good enough is good enough. Something is better than nothing. Moving will take you further than standing still. Plus… being in the arena is where you’ll have more meaningful impact than watching from the sidelines.

Be confident in your abilities and your instincts.

A good plan coupled with the ability to pivot as needed, is better than being anchored to a plan that was implied to have been right, or the best, just because it was first.

Have a great week!