The Habit of Planning
“Ugh, I hate sitting down to plan my work!” In the dramatic, dynamic, and ever-evolving landscape of creativity, planning can be the compass that guides creatives toward their ultimate goals Far from stifling artistic expression, effective planning is a catalyst to innovation, empowering creatives to bring their ideas to life with purpose and precision. So how can you cultivate a habit of planning that can unlock a world of opportunities and propel you toward success and fulfillment?
1. Clarity and Direction:
For creatives, clarity is paramount. Strategic planning provides a roadmap that illuminates the path toward achieving creative goals. By defining objectives, breaking them down into actionable steps, and establishing timelines, you gain a clear sense of direction that allows you to focus your energies on bringing your artistic visions to fruition.
2. Efficiency and Creative Flow:
Contrary to popular belief, planning enhances rather than hinders the creative process. By organizing ideas and outlining workflows in advance, you can streamline your creative processes and minimize distractions. This efficiency fosters a state of creative flow, where ideas flow freely and inspiration is readily translated into tangible creations.
3. Create Margin:
Work off of DO dates instead of DUE dates. DUE dates leave you with no margin and added stress. Schedule DO dates for you and your team to ensure it gets DONE on time and with the excellence you require.
4. Accountability and Ownership:
In the world of creativity, accountability is essential for progress. Planning instills a sense of ownership for you and your team, compelling everyone to take responsibility for their artistic pursuits. By setting measurable goals and tracking your progress, you hold yourself and your team accountable for achieving their objectives.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability:
Creativity thrives in environments that embrace flexibility and adaptability. While planning provides structure, it also allows for fluidity and improvisation. You can use your plans as a springboard for exploration, adapting to new insights, opportunities, and challenges as they arise without losing sight of your overarching creative vision. Also, working within the DO vs DUE framework as mentioned above gives you the margin to be flexible and adaptable
6. Celebration of Milestones:
Finally, strategic planning offers you the opportunity to celebrate their achievements along the way. Each milestone reached serves as a testament to your creative prowess and hard work, fueling a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. These moments of celebration not only validate your efforts but also inspire you to continue pushing the boundaries of your creativity.
Plan the work and work the plan. Every week, month, quarter, and year, you should be sitting down to intentionally plan the work.
So, dare to dream big, but don't forget to map out the journey towards your creative vision. With strategic planning as your compass, the possibilities are limitless, and your creative destiny awaits.