So I’m in Shanghai most of this week which means thanks to the Great Firewall of China, I’ll be in solitary [blog] confinement till next Monday …
I’ve pre-written the posts for the rest of the week, however to ensure I’ve not got to go through ten tons of comments slagging me off when I return, I thought I’d use this week to ask for your help on something.
Basically the lovely Bazza has asked me to write a little thing for Apple about the traits I believe make a great planner.
Even though I know he only asked me because everyone else was busy, I’m very touched … however I must admit my mood did wobble when he added the ‘mandatory’ … namely each statement can only be one sentence in length.
ONE SENTENCE!!!!
OK, so I know someone with bad grammar could probably stretch that one sentence into a book, but Baz would never let me get away with that, so I’m in serious trouble.
Of course I know that according to planning folklore, I’m supposed to be able to simplify complexity into interesting, engaging and liberating bite-sized chunks [“Brain vitamins” as George likes to say] – but let’s not forget I’m the guy who can write long blog posts about bloody toilets, so I must admit to feeling a little intimidated … so intimidated in fact, that I’m going to ask for your help in developing them.
Basically over this week – while I’m trying not to get arrested – I’m going to be posting a statement a day [in no particular order and not really thought-through yet] that I think is kinda-important in becoming a good planner and then, based on the underlying message of what that statement is saying, I’d like you guys to contribute your own … remembering to stick to the single sentence.
In all, Bazza wants a total of 12 statements, with each being – in his words – a nugget of guidance and inspiration.
I have no idea what that actually means, but as he works directly for God Jobs, I’m sure he does … so if you want to stand a chance of entering Mr iPods consciousness in some way, then please feel free to contribute but please remember this is not about showing how intelligent you are, it’s about showing how inspirational.
OK, to get things started, here’s my first:
Planners make average interesting, if they don’t, they’re not a planner, they’re an administrator.
Remember, add your own – but stick to the underlying message of each statement – or you’re off brief and slapped on the wrist!