On Making Plans
Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 11:34PM I was planning on creating a business plan, it’s time I knew more of what I want to do and how I want to do it. And then I kept postponing it and delaying… Something within me doesn’t quite gel with the concept of planning. Of having exact figures and tactics.
Surely being passionate about what I do can be enough?...
Most people I come across believe you have to plan - otherwise your business is most likely to fail. Oh how happy I was to stumble upon this quote! It’s by Paul Newman in regards to his very successful food company “Newman’s Own”:
“There are three rules for running a business; fortunately we don’t know any of them,” Newman writes in his memoir. “From the beginning, our management philosophy was, ‘If we ever have a plan, we’re through.’”
So now at least I know that some people can pull through without proper and thorough planning. Especially if their name is Paul Newman ;)
It’s almost as if by planning, I’m narrowing down my possibilities. I’m only looking into one direction - the direction from which I presume my goals will be achieved.
However at this stage of my raw food adventure, I’m not quite sure yet at which direction to look at. The path is not well defined enough for me to start planning ahead – I can plan well enough for the near future, my next few steps, and pretty much that’s it.
As I described my situation to Christie just a few days ago, I feel like I’m out in the ocean, knowing that when the right wave will arrive I will be on it!
In the meantime… I’m floating by… Preparing for my next event… Reading… Taking time to relax… Enjoying the abundance that manifest itself around me… I’m breathing…
I’m actually about to go for a holiday! Would you believe it? A couple of weeks off – just in the midst of starting up a business! Who would have thought?!
My point is: The reason for me to quit my job and start a raw food business is to enjoy my life. Yes, of course, I want to make my contribution to the world, to create opportunities for people to eat delicious raw food in Sydney – however I need to make sure I do it my own way. I don’t want to do things the way “they’re supposed to be done” just to find myself locked in a life that was designed in advance by some PLAN.
So my plans are not to have a business plan. At least not yet. Not until the right wave comes and sweeps me over to a shore where I can feel both feet on the ground.
There is no doubt in mind that this wave is on its way. I can already feel the ripples…
Reader Comments (5)
Dear Maya, I can feel the ripples where I am too! I think it's going to be huge! A kind and gentle tsunami of love. There's a great song that goes "this time I do it my way..." x
Oh my, Maya, such powerful thoughts! Your perspective on the big old PLAN totally resonates with me - on the one hand, a plan does seem necessary for business achievement, on the other, does having said plan hinder our openness to other directions that may arise? Or is not writing a plan simply an excuse for inaction born from a fear of committing to one concept at the detriment of others?
Hey Maya, awesome post! Yes, I don't "know" about plans either and love Paul Newman's three rules for running a business ;-) What works best for me is to 'check in' with what I call the subtle voice within that's always guiding and go with it. Oh, and have fun on your holiday!!!
i love it! i love to read ur posts everytime :) keep them coming x
It is good to have a plan and be organised but if you can't sit down and do that right now there is a good reason for it. I hope you are enjoying your holiday :)