I asked Ellyn to create a list of reasons why planning might be important to her team. Here’s her list –

• We are more efficient when we plan.
• We can use planning to set effective goals.
• Planning gets everyone on the same page.
• Planning helps us explore contingencies.

So, I asked her why she didn’t plan more often. It took a few long seconds as she sank back in her chair.

“You know,” she started, nodding her head, “sometimes it just doesn’t seem to be worth the trouble. So, here’s my list for that.

• We have too many other emergencies to deal with today.
• We can’t get everyone together, schedules are too difficult.
• Even if we plan it, things never work out that way, anyway, why plan?”

So, what’s your list. What gets in your way of planning?