-perfect_plan

Some people in the business world have a very focused linear horizontal ‘think of everything’ on a topic. Inherent in that methodology is that you haven’t thought of everything (because most things are not linear and one dimensional but rather multi dimensional and complex).

And then there is the ‘multi tangential double helix all over the place thinking’ methodology which is like trying to be prepared for “what happens if they ask us about how an atom is split” and yet the meeting is about how to drive foot traffic into a store thinking.

Inherent in that methodology is that you haven’t thought of everything because there is not enough time in the world to fulfill this methodology. (plus most people cannot do a multi tangential double helix)

And then. Despite your methodology and all the preparation and things you have thought of you will always have some senior person, who has only been peripherally involved, turning to the team at the last minute and adamantly stating: “have we thought of everything?”

That is why I would have this illustration.

When asked that question (by said wise senior person) this is the picture to whip out of my case to prove “yes, we have.”

It’s perfect. It showcases the often randomness of all the factoids and trivial and important stuff you … well … stuff into your head for a meeting.

Sure. I have been accused of over thinking things on occasion  … okay  … maybe just over preparing for meeting questions. I would like to think that I spared everyone (slightly) except when we really had a good idea (cause good ideas are different). No, I don’t believe anything can be perfect, but with good ideas the closest you can come to perfectly protecting it and thinking of ‘everything’ from day one is a good idea. It at least gives you some hope for implementing the idea you want to implement.

Bottom line? When you think you have thought of everything something will not be thought of.

(that is a postulate I believe).

Oh.

Thinking is messy. No matter how linear you want to make thinking inevitably the best thinking has some aspect of randomness to it.

Go think.

Go be messy.