Beware the Fibrillating Heart
www.notimetowait.com says that approximately 2% of people younger than 65 years old have atrial fibrillation (AFib) while about 9% of people ages 65 and older have it. AFib include irregular heartbeat, heart racing, chest pain and fatigue. I unfortunately must report that my circle of family and friends are driving up the numbers. Mayoclinic.org says that during AFib the heart’s upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly – out of sync with the lower chambers (the ventricles).
Chaotic, irregular, and out of sync. Sounds like my life when I’m stress, overwhelmed and not living in Quadrant II. How about you? I’m curious, are you a Planner or a Fly by the Seat of the Pants person? For reference, thefreedictionary defines” fly by the seat of pants” as without a clear plan or direction.
PLANNING – it’s a love hate thing for me. Planning gets in the way of doing, yet most of the time when I haven’t properly planned, the project results in stress and frustration, and a job that takes twice the time as necessary. I’m haunted by the words of John Lennon, “Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.” Is John saying don’t make plans – or that life goes on whether or not you are aware of it. Hmmm.
A dear friend and mentor, an Army retired Colonel, introduced me to the 6Ps – proper planning prevents piss poor performance. This is life changing advice for me. I must admit that I have been unsuccessful in using the Inverse 6P Rule when things go awry – YOUR lack of proper planning does not cause an emergency for me.
So what is the right level of planning? For me, two US World War II generals help:
General Dwight Eisenhower:
“In preparing for battle I have always found that plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.”
Recognizing that plans often do not work out as expected; however, plans help identify potential outcomes and options.
Without a plan I vacillate, spending a lot of time and energy, accomplishing little. As the Amish might say, “I see a lot of churning but ain’t got no butter.” A cardiologist would say that your heart is beating chaotically and irregularly.
General George Patton:
“A good plan violently executed NOW is better than a perfect plan next week.”
OR, Are you holding back from taking smart, tough action now – or waiting for a perfect tomorrow? (from servetolead.com) Ouch. That’s hitting a little too close to home. This quote is at the heart of my I Dare to Act commitment. Carpe Diem – sieze the day - seek life now, while you have the chance.
Merriam-Webster defines DARE as having the courage to do something (while recognizing that there are risks – my addition). Mark Zuckerber, of Facebook/Meta fame, would add, “The biggest risk is not taking any risk… In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risks.”
This year and for the rest of my life I am committed to Daring to Act. To putting together a good plan that is violently executed, while recognizing that there are risks. How about you?
My question for you –What is it YOU are DARING to DO? What, if anything, is holding you back?