(Distinctions are subtleties of language that, when gotten, cause a shift in a belief, behavior, value or attitude.)

 

Plans are useful. The process of planning is even more useful. A good plan starts with your desires and adds real data, execution steps, responsibilities, incremental checkpoints, and defined deliverables and outcomes. An effective plan is flexible, clear, and frequently checked.

A pipedream is similar to a plan. The only thing lacking is reality! If you don t include reality — either when designing the original plan or when, during execution, you refuse to compare the plan to what s really happening — you are living in a pipedream. Most pipedreams are constructed when you can t emotionally afford to see reality. You re trying to force some outcome to make yourself feel better.

You may get lucky and your pipedream will happen. But your odds of success are much greater with a plan.

 

Coaching Point: Can you remember a time when you were living a pipedream? How are you at constructing and executing plans now?

 

Copyright 2005 Steve Straus. All rights reserved.