In the writing community, at least in my local community, people sometimes refer to themselves as plotters or pantsers, as a reflection of how they write - planning out the details of their current objective in advance, or writing by the seat of their pants. The reality is that many writers fall in between, sometimes leaning more toward one than the other.
This time of year is a time of reflection for many people. Posts about new year's resolutions abound, including whether or not they'll be kept. I'm not worried about your new year's resolutions so much as curious about how you approach it. Let's put it into terms that are more relevant for project managers.
- (Pantser) Are you reactive, with no new year's resolutions?
- (Plotter) Are you proactive, faithfully setting new year's resolutions and/or other short-term goals (and maybe keeping them)?
- (New Category - Architect) Or, do you architect your future - someone who may or may not see value in new year's resolutions, instead emphasizing long-term vision and outcomes, then creating and maintaining a roadmap to achieve them while adapting to obstacles and new information along the way?
If I'm being honest, I'm probably a little bit of each. I have a long-term vision I'm working toward, but it's not all inclusive, which leaves room for side-goals and occasionally flying by the seat of my pants, as long is it doesn't get in the way of the outcomes I'm working toward. I'm a firm believer that not everything is a goal, just like not everything is a project, and that if you try to view everything through one of these lenses you risk missing out on some powerful experiences.
How about you?
Community Champion
