Think About This

This is the final SIX-DAY Series on "Principle-Centered Planning" by Dr. John C. Maxwell

Today: Part SIX of SIX

Principle-Centered Planning

"Seven Principles to Guide Your Planning Process
and Help you Achieve Your Dreams"

5) The Principle of Flexibility
In leadership, be mentally prepared that not everything will go according to your plans. Then, when plans unfold unexpectedly, you'll be prepared to see new opportunities. Some of the best things I've received in life have been surprises that I could never have planned in advance.

When plans go awry, don't just stand there. By staying in motion, you create movement. Be resourceful enough to improvise when circumstances push you off course.

6) The Principle of Timing
I credit Robert Schuller for teaching me a lesson about timing - the peak-to-peak principle. Most of the time, our decisions are based on our emotional environment rather than reality. When we're in the valleys of life, we don't see clearly. Our perspective is limited, and all we see are the problems around us. In the valleys we make decisions, not to better ourselves, but to escape our problems.

Never make a major decision in the valleys. Wait until you get to the peak where you can see clearer and farther. By reserving big choices for the peaks, you'll avoid making rash decisions that you'll regret later.

7) The Principle of Teamwork
A worthwhile plan ought to be bigger than your abilities. You shouldn't be able to accomplish it alone. Each of us has areas of weakness, blind spots, and shortcomings. Unless we rely on a team to help us, our plans succumb to our personal limitations.

A sign in Coach Bill Parcells' office stated his philosophy plainly, "Individuals play the game but teams win championships." What we can do alone pales in comparison to the potential we have when we work together.

Review

Putting a plan on paper is easy; putting a plan into practice takes leadership. I trust these seven principles will aid your efforts to translate written plans into reality. Let's review them:

1) The Principle of Passion
2) The Principle of Creativity
3) The Principle of Influence
4) The Principle of Priorities
5) The Principle of Flexibility
6) The Principle of Timing
7) The Principle of Teamwork

John C. Maxwell is an internationally respected leadership expert, speaker, and author who has sold more than 18 million books.