March 16, 2010

The (Not So) Straight Line of Progress


"Progress has not followed a straight ascending line, but a spiral with rhythms of progress and retrogression, of evolution and dissolution."

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe
18
th century German writer

When you are planning new initiatives, do you take into account the inevitable "starts and stops" that are almost always a part of anything new?

4 comments :

  1. We do but only in the sense of assuming some things will take longer than we initially think they will. But even then we often don't build in enough of a cushion.

    I know what you're asking. Do we create a complete "what if" plan assuming things will not go as planned? We haven't so far but I plan to see that we do in the future.

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  2. No one can do it "completely" but few companies I have seen are anywhere near close to overkill in that regard.

    Just as "what will be" should be a part of the plan, so too should be "what if it isn't?"

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  3. Ah, this is precisely what I've been thinking about this morning. I am constantly amazed at how many twists & turns there are to getting anything done. Since it's just me, it far too easy to get side tracked onto another issue, and suddenly weeks have gone by. - Now, to get back to the video project....

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  4. I know what you mean Julie. I too work mostly alone and find I can be one of the most difficult people I've ever managed when it comes to maintaining focus.

    Herding kittens is always tough but I'm the only cat in the herd so you would think it would be easy.

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