For some reason, when I thought about the idea of planning (for next year), I thought of the title of what many consider the worst science fiction movie of all time.
I only watched a few minutes, many years ago, but I think it was about Martians invading Earth.
I’m pretty sure their plan failed, but I commend those Martians for thinking big, which is the point I want to make today.
If you’re going to plan (something), for next year, or any year, make it big.
Don’t spend a lot of time planning how to redecorate your office when you can plan a new marketing strategy that might allow you to buy a new office building. Or three.
Big plans force us to be creative and do things we’ve never done before. They force us to focus.
Even if your big plans don’t materialize, thinking big helps you sort out what’s important and make that your priority, instead of getting bogged down with a multitude of small ideas which, even if successful, won’t amount to a hill of beans (I’ve got movies on the brain).
Big plans give you a chance to win big.
The Pareto Principle says 80% of our results come from 20% of our efforts (plans, ideas, activities, projects…). Figure out a handful of big ideas that can deliver big results, and then narrow down your list to just one or two.
One or two big ideas that could transform your business or life.
In the book, The One Thing, author Gary Keller puts it this way:
“What is the one thing you can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary”.
Your big plan might fail (and you’ll have to return to Mars) but if you’re going to work on anything next year, work on something big, so big it could take care of almost everything else.
No pressure. But I need your answer on my desk first thing tomorrow. My ship leaves at 9.
