Getting things in the right order is a guest post by Rodney Agan. Rodney is Chaplain for the Carrollton City (GA) Police Department and is senior pastor of North Point Baptist Church. Be sure to check out Rodney’s blog and follow him on Twitter.
There are so many things in life that I would like to “do over”.
As we get older and more experienced we see things more clearly. And we see the end results more clearly. When planning a project or event, we should factor in as many potential outcomes as possible.
Normally, we have a great idea, we act on it, and face the results later. Sort of like – Ready. Fire. Aim. And we suffer because of this rationale.
Without proper planning and patience we will fail more than we succeed.
It is better to spend twice as much time in preparation than in action. When we get the process out of order, it’s not going to be pretty.
Here are 3 thoughts about getting things in the right order:
1. Don’t ACT before you THINK
When you act on a minimal amount of information, you lessen the chances of success. Just because it is a good idea does not mean it’s the right time or place.
Consider all the potential outcomes – the consequences. If you’re fortunate, you won’t need the contingency plan. But it’s far better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
When facing a tough situation, I always try to map out a solution to the objections I may face. Planning ahead gives confidence and increases the likelihood of success.
2. Don’t SPEAK before you KNOW
Some people think they know something about everything. No one likes a “know-it-all.” Often we are armed with enough information to be dangerous.
Remember, knowledge is power. You may not know everything, but you will certainly speak with more authority when informed.
There is a saying, “An expert is a person fifty miles from home with a briefcase.” You may be able to get by with a quick wit for a while, but more knowledge almost always improves decision-making.
And, when you speak before you know, it is hard to “undo” what’s already been said.
3. Don’t QUIT before you START
This is a tough one. More people fail because they do nothing at all.
When you become knowledgeable on a subject, you may be more informed than those around you. And that knowledge may be intimidating. Don’t talk yourself out of moving forward once you are armed and ready.
To make a decision or get a project off the ground, get yourself READY. Do your due diligence – AIM. Know your target or desired outcome – FIRE. Go for it with confidence and authority. You are the leader!
Question: When you get things out of order, how do you reset and get moving again? Share your thoughts in the comments.
I agree with Dave – I’ve been reading a lot about the Lean methodology, and there’s actually a ton of value in “Ready. Fire. Aim.” The important thing is to fire BBs, be able to measure the result of firing, learn from it, and then adjust. Once you know you’re aiming in the right direction, fire the cannons!
The reason this is valuable in a start-up is that all the preparation in the world can’t teach you as much as you’ll learn from getting a new product in the hands of customers. As I’ve often read, no battle plan survives first contact (or something like that.)
Failing forward can be immensely valuable, but you have to fail forward, measure and learn from every mistake.
Yes – it’s important to move forward while making adjustments as needed. I believe Jim Collins used the small ammo then the big guns analogy in Great by Choice. Great principle. And great book!
It’s important to highly value the concept of failing forward also. Thanks for sharing your thoughts my friend!
I think this post kind of speaks of the message of grace, and God’s great love for us.
We are never going to get it exactly right, we’re human- trying and failing is basically what life is all about! And God knows that, he sees our efforts and he’s available to help us when we need to re-adjust and start over. (Which, for me, is pretty often.)
So, for me, when I get things out of order- I remember that with every failed attempt, there is a lesson. There is growth!. I get myself ready again (by the grace of God) re-aim, and try to fire better next time, knowing that even if I fail- there will be another chance. (:
The key is understanding with you “misfire” or when you aim is not right. When you know those things, and make the correct adjustments, the rest seems to fall into place. Thanks for the comment Katie.
Great thoughts Katie – Thanks so much for joining the conversation!
Very true – especially with those closest to you (family, colleagues, etc.). They know when we’re really listening – and when we’re not.
Great points, age has done wonders to help me in these area’s but I still need God to help me as I am tempted to do all of the above.
Praying before acting, speaking and starting helps keep me on track and focused.
Same here my friend! Thanks!
Age seems to give us confidence to know when and how. Thanks for the comment
Age really does have some benefits!
Your right DS. One of the qualities of a great leader is the ability to admit mistakes. This is when people know you are real. Thanks for commenting.
I love this post too, but I see #3 a little differently. At least for me, too much aiming can actually make me want to quit. I understand ready, fire, aim can backfire, and it’s certainly not a natural thing for me to do. But because I’m a natural planner, sometimes it’s good to ready, fire, adjust. I’ve just found I’ve needed to do this to get some momentum going. Thanks!
Good thought Dave. Since we are all different, we all have different “triggers”. It takes real tallent or knowledge of one’s self to be able to fire and adjust without doing damage. Not many people can do that.
Rodney, fair point. Assessing the potential “damage” up front is smart. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Good point Dave and I would agree – there are times when some preparation has been done and you need to move forward with a decision. Sometimes its best to ship and make adjustments as needed.
Thanks, Michael
This was an excellent post. I can really understand #3. I have talked about starting projects, but because of fear, doubt or listening to naysayers or a negative inner voice I would quit before I started. I would have all the knowledge I need to get a project started, but I would talk myself out of moving forward.
I have learned that once I am ready with the right information I need. I can focus on my target and take action. I have a scripture that I use to focus my thoughts and it is I John 5:14, “This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”
Thanks for the words of encouragement.
Hi Bernard,
Fear and intimidation are deal killers for creativity. Most of the time we underestimate our value. There are others waiting on a leader to step up and lead. Dreams need to be more than in your mind, they need to become reality.
Thanks for the comment
Thanks Bernard. I appreciate your transparency. It seems we all deal with this challenge on some level.
That photo is so disturbing! Wow, it really was an exclamation point to this post.
When we get things out of order, we must admit it, and first forgive ourselves. Admitting mistakes is never easy, and I know I can be my own worse critic. If I don’t forgive myself I become immobilized to take charge and continue with authority.
The thing I love about God, is that he doesn’t give us a re-do. He gives us an un-do, completely removing the offense. That’s something we will never get on earth. Here, I am thankful for the grace of others who offer me a re-do or do-over. It’s the best we can get this side of heaven.
Thanks for the guest post, Randy.
Hi Kelly,
Thanks for the comment. The photo kind of says, “when things are out of order, you tend to shoot yourself.” I heard someone say, “God is not a God of a second chance. He is the God of another chance.” I love the “re-do, un-do”. I’ll use that sometime.
Good point Kelly! Love the “un-do, re-do” thought! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.