Is it necessary to plan out each and every stage of project in extreme detail in order for you to succeed? If so, than this concept isn't quite what you're looking for. If you're able to adopt "do it first, tweak it later" philosophy, then "Ready? Go! Tweak." is right for you. And you just might find yourself with a huge advantage later on. You would have planned less during initial stages of project, but overall, you were able to get instantaneous feedback and finalize your plans along way; a process I call: Spot Planning.

Spot Planning Spot Planning is process of creating plans and making decisions concurrent to launch. It's on-the-spot decision making as opposed to pre-planning. It gives you flexibility of deciding on-the-go without stalling or disrupting progress. The key to this is effectiveness of spot planners.

Spot planners are able to:

* Understand time implications of a project * Make quick and accurate decisions * Thrive in ambiguous situations * Deal with many stages of a project at once (planning, implementation, tweaking, promotion, etc.)

Do any of those characteristics describe you? I hope so!

Tweaking Performance One Shot at a Time

Let's go through another example to reinforce idea behind tweaking. Imagine that you're brand new to archery and you're taken out to a controlled shooting environment. The instructor will give you a prize if you can hit target. Then you're given two options:

Option 1: You have 1 arrow, so you must aim carefully before you shoot. Once you've shot that single arrow, it's gone! Boom! Bye, bye! So in order to succeed, you'll probably want to take as much time as you'd like to make sure shot goes as planned.

Option 2: You have 100 arrows, but you're not allowed to aim as carefully before you shoot. Instead, you're only allowed to shoot and tweak your performance after every shot. In essence, you'll be continually improving with each arrow fired. By 100th shot, you'll be more accustomed to angles, environment, wind and other factors. Odds are better that you'll hit target with 100 chances than with only one.

"Each trial brings progression, and only through progression will success be born." --Ronnie Nijmeh

In reality, you may not be given 100 chances to succeed, but key point is that there's an opportunity for trial and error in most business and personal experiences. So use these opportunities wisely!

The importance of tweaking your idea, product, or service each time around can't be stressed enough. Did it work first time around? If so, you know what may work in future. If not, find out what needs improving, tweak it, then try again.

Perfectionism

You can't always be perfect. You can't always write perfect report, have perfect product, or simply "be" perfect. You're prone to make mistakes and have flaws (whether major or minor). But that shouldn't stop you! Acknowledge that you can't always be perfect and use effort to learn, grow and adapt.

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up." --Thomas A. Edison

If you prolong planning stage in search of "that perfect ending" or "that perfect feature" you won't be progressing on to new levels of success. And if only you're willing to let go, you may realize just how close you are to success! Parents, doesn't this sound familiar (perhaps when your child moves away for first time)?

Tough Questions

It should be noted that not all initiatives should utilize "Ready? Go! Tweak." technique. I wouldn't say that a car company could "tweak" their faulty brakes after it's been released to public. Nor would you want to experiment in an already established and competitive market.

So ask yourself:

In your business, project or venture, is it possible to begin after minimum amount of planning? What are negative effects of doing so? Will you be slingshot into lead if you use "Ready? Go! Tweak." and "Spot Planning" techniques? Are you able to afford making mistakes or deferring decisions until after launch date? Are you working with a smaller, more adaptable team?

If you're in a position to launch with minimal amount of planning and are willing to tinker along way, you just might find yourself in first place when all is said and done. Can you do it?

Is there anything here I need to consider that I might be avoiding, or hiding from? Am I doing what I want to be doing according to my defined values and my definitions of success?

I can also go back and review where I have come from, and where I appear to be heading. Am I pleased with results? Am I excited about future? Am I excited about today?

So, with all of that said - now what?

I am going to take a bit of time, stand back and review. I will look back on what had been accomplished, congratulate myself, and be grateful for help I have had. I will look ahead and reevaluate my plans, and ensure that they are still right for me. I will take a deep breath and commit to principles of values and my definitions of success to be absolutely sure I am doing everything in my power so I have a... you guessed it... perfect life!

As always, Your online Coach and Friend, Miami Phillips www.creativemasterminds.com

Helping owners and entrepreneurs have more profit and less headaches.Helping everyone find their path and stay on it. coach@creativemasterminds.com

Quotation for Week Go confidently in direction of your dreams. Live life you have imagined. Henry David Thoreau (1817 - 1862)