Wing It — Why Action Beats Planning

Summary

The article "Wing It — Why Action Beats Planning" emphasizes the importance of taking action over meticulous planning to achieve goals and foster personal growth.

Abstract

The article, discovered accidentally by the author in a bookstore, discusses Emma Issacs' book "Winging It; Why Action Beats Planning Every Time." It suggests that while planning is important, over-planning can lead to procrastination and hinder the completion of projects. The book serves as a reminder that taking action is crucial for progress and that embracing the unknown can lead to growth and unexpected opportunities. The author of the article, who has overcome procrastination but struggles with finishing projects, finds the book's message particularly relevant. Issacs argues that focusing on mindset and self-talk is essential, and that by relinquishing the need for control and excessive planning, individuals can open themselves up to new experiences and growth.

Opinions

The author believes that the book "Winging It" is a valuable resource for those struggling to start or advance an important project.
They acknowledge that while they no longer procrastinate, they often start projects without always finishing them, highlighting the importance of not just starting but also completing tasks.
The article suggests that planning can be a form of procrastination if it prevents one from actually doing the work.
The author agrees with Issacs' view that giving up the need to control every outcome creates space for growth and surprises.
The article endorses the idea that when we let go of overly thought-out expectations, we allow ourselves into uncharted territory where true growth occurs.
A link is provided to a personal anecdote by the author, which further illustrates the dangers of comfort and the importance of taking action.

Wing It — Why Action Beats Planning

“Stop thinking. Start doing.”

– Emma Issacs, “Winging It”

Like many of my favourite books, I found this gem by mistake.

I was in a bookstore a couple of months ago, staring at a shelf, head tilted sideways as I scanned a row of titles and author names. I can’t remember which book I was looking for…but this is the one I found:

“Winging It; Why Action Beats Planning Every Time” by Emma Isaacs

If you have been procrastinating on starting something that is really important to you — or moving something forward to the next level, then you might want to get a copy of this book and read it, highlighter in hand.

Personally, I don’t procrastinate much anymore. The Universe has quite effectively (and very rudely) beaten that habit out of me. If you need a kick in the pants in the procrastination department, feel free to learn from the doozy I received in: “The Danger of Comfort — Lessons from the Cubicle”.

But just because I don’t procrastinate as much doesn’t mean that I always finish things.

I am a tremendous planner and starter of projects. Completing them — to the point of shipping them, as Seth Godin loves to remind us (and wisely so) — is another matter.

The “Winging It” book was a timely reminder to me that, as the subtitle says: action beats planning.

Yes, planning is important. Of course it is, we all know that.

But there is a real danger in spending too much time and energy planning one’s tasks, goals and dreams — instead of actually getting one’s bottom off the couch and getting the damn work DONE.

Here are some key points I took from the “Winging It” book:

“The most important work to do is on our mindsets and self-talk.”

“When we give up the need to control everything and plan for every conceivable outcome, we create space for the unknown.”

“When we don’t have overly thought-out expectations of what’s going to happen, we make room for surprises and allow ourselves into uncharted territory. This is where we find growth.”