ACTION - Just a word, or a guide?

Are you a planner or a doer? Except for some really special people, I tend to see folks in one of two categories:

 Planners

 Doers

(before I get too far, I also believe we can move in and out of these two tendencies. For me at least, what I am working on can dictate which way I lean)

I tend to favor the DOER camp. It must not be genetic because my dad is an incredible PLANNER. Every decision he has made since the advent of Excel has lived in a spreadsheet, somewhere on a hard drive (and floppy disk - yes, he is old). He took great joy in renewing my subscription to Consumer Reports every year. In hopes that I too would love the hunt as much as the kill. That I would analyze every report to get data points. Speak to everyone he could about their thoughts on the Best In Class Sedan. I swear I heard him ask an older woman at the Publix checkout, what she thought of Dell's customer service.

 You get the point. Dad had an internal checklist that had to be completed before he decided to take ACTION. Albeit a similar list (and decision timeline) for a new pair of golf shoes as for a complicated investment. He definitely falls into the PLANNER category. That is OK. He recognizes this and understands his tendencies. He surrounds himself with people who complement his style. From my Mom to his business partners, they tend to lean towards ACTION.

 I was talking to a small group a few weeks ago about this idea of 2 camps. It became clear that some folks can be so far to one side; they can't find the tools or framework to get themselves in a balanced place. For a PLANNER, that is an ever-evolving cycle of meetings, spreadsheets, hallway check-ins, and so on. It was eye-opening for me to see and hear some of the struggles far leaning opposites have, taking action.

 I pulled aside one person who shared a troubling story of being stuck in Analysis Paralysis - Tom. Remember, I sleep most nights in the DOER camp - I thought this was going to be a perfect opportunity to test something I had been developing. A framework which I think about when I am in the heat of a decision.

ACTION   (original, I know. Used as an Acronym it helps:)

 Allow for Failure

Failure or Setbacks are the best teachers we have. If you don't leave yourself any room to fail, you will hit a wall and stay stuck. Your plan will never be perfect. Just hope you fail fast.

 Correct and Move Forward

 Learn from the feedback of Failure, adjust your approach and re-engage. 

 Take Extreme Ownership

Your plan, your execution, you own it. Own every single aspect of the plan and action. Especially if it does not go to plan.   Don't blame the research, or another department or someone on staff. Part of allowing for Failure is so you can take complete ownership. You need it. Your team needs to see you own it.

 Include the Little Things

 It is easy to get so focused on the end goal. All you can see is the endzone. The devil is in the details, right? Ask yourself all of the time - "what am I missing?" If you don't, you might miss the safety who is not where you think he should be. Say hello to a turnover and a concussion.

 Other People Can Help

 Think back to my dad having balance in his life. Doers providing harmony for his PLANNING. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.

 Never Stop

 Don't stop short of the finish line. Keep moving forward. Go back to the top of ACTION. Allow for Failure and then Correct and Move Forward. It is a cycle, but never...ever...stop moving.

Tom looked a little more confident about managing himself when it comes to taking action. He has some really good people around him who desperately need his meticulous and thorough planning. If nothing else, we can all use more self-awareness.