Whenever my planning has failed, it is because I did it in “Rambo mode.”
During my student days, I would sometimes set ridiculous goals, e.g., “study for 18 hours a day, for the next 6 months!” But when I would start the execution, reality would hit me and I would give up.
In fact, most of us plan in ‘Rambo mode’ but execute in ‘Mickey Mouse mode.’ Fierce ambition, followed by timid execution.
This happens because when we plan, we are imagining the future. And imagining is painless as it has no contact with reality.
For example, right now, imagine that you running a 2-hour marathon. It feels effortless, isn’t it? But run at that pace for 5 minutes and you will quickly remember God (even if you are an atheist).
This is, in fact, also a way to avoid falling into this ambitious planning trap.
Whatever you plan to do for the next few weeks or months, do it for a day or even just a few hours. Once you know what execution really feels like, your plan will be much more reasonable.
Field Marshall Helmuth von Moltke said, “No plan survives first contact with the enemy.” This holds true for any plan, not just in war.
Reality is the best cure for fantasy.
– Rajan