Planning is great fun. It's very important. You need to have a plan about where you are, where you are going, and how you're going to get there for you and your business.
That said, it's also good to be able to go with the flow. And this is coming from a (still reforming) perfectionist! Sometimes you won't meet deadlines, sometimes things won't be 'ready' in time, sometimes you just won't be able to see how to put something together even when you look at it really hard. It's at all these times (and others!) that you need to go with the flow.
Whether you believe in the powers of the Universe or not, you must recognise that sometimes there's no point fighting what you can't control.
I used to be TERRIBLE when I got ill as it ruined all my workaholic plans. Now I just spend the day in my PJs watching "Bargain Hunt" and taking a nap. In fact when I did that a couple of weeks ago I got a new client that day (this 'working too hard' thing is very often counter-intuitive you know!).
Sometimes you need to just go with the flow and see where it takes you.
And planning can be a good time for this too. Often I've changed my plans because something else has cropped up and good job I build in this sort of flexibility. Quite often my deadlines are self-imposed and so while I could beat myself up that I don't meet them, I could just acknowledge that they still get met and actually a week later doesn't make me a loser!
Obviously some deadlines you do HAVE to stick to (for example, I will be turning up at my big event on the day it starts at the right time!). But for product launches, new websites, a blog you wanted to write these can flow. They can be ready when you're ready.
So when you're planning (and yes you do need a plan as otherwise you'll be heading off with no direction! and no idea of what you're selling) you should include 'flow' space. Make sure you're adaptable, make sure you can make changes, make sure you've got time and space to breathe in your plan.
Too much hard work makes for a very dull business.
So let it flow, let it flow, let it flow.
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