Making Plans with Friends? This is How to Do it Better

Aug 2018

This week’s video will show you the art of making plans.

All plans are based on assumptions. An assumption is what has to happen for your plans to work out. If your assumption(s) cannot be relied upon with any degree of comfort, then your plan must be changed or abandoned.

For example, if you are making plans to go to the movies with a friend, the assumptions are:

The movie is currently playing at a convenient theater and time

The movie is not sold out

Your friend will show up on time

Your car works to get you to the movies

etc.

There are 3 steps you need to take when making plans to ensure your plans work out based on your assumptions.

First, figure out which assumptions generate the most risk for your plan to fail. Going back to the movie example, there are a few assumptions that are risky:

(1) Your friend is extremely flaky and may not show up on time.

(2) The porn flick you are going to see may be sold out since it’s opening night.

(3) Your car is a piece of shit, so you may not be able to rely on it.

Second, figure out a contingency plan for each high-risk assumption.

If your friend’s arrival time is not reliable, pick him or her up.

If the movie may be sold out, buy tickets online ahead of time.

Since your car may not work, take an Uber and pick up your friend on the way

Third, be prepared to use all relevant contingency plans.

Use It or Lose It:

Making plans successfully involves using the 3 steps we discussed:

(1) Figure out which assumptions generate the most risk for your plan to fail.
(2) Figure out a contingency plan for each high-risk assumption.
(3) Be prepared to use all relevant contingency plans.

When to Use It:

When you are making plans.

What Do You Think?

Can you think of a situation where making plans in your life got messed up because of a faulty assumption? What would you have done differently?

Until next time, keep making plans, and as always…Prime Your Pump!
–Howie

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One Reply to “Making Plans with Friends? This is How to Do it Better”

Dave Savadge says:

August 3, 2018 at 12:35 pm

Your movie example – absolutely spot on! Couple weeks ago, we wanted to see Oceans 8 at the local multiplex on five dollar Tuesday. Arrive at the theater, but the time we chose had been sold out, as had the following showing. Shift to Plan B – Oceans 8 is also playing at the ‘old’ theater in town, which had just recently been updated and renovated, with reclining seats and a wine bar. Tickets slightly more expensive, but what the heck. I prefer sitting in the back of a theater, it’s easier on my eyes. With the exception of a few people way up front, the place was empty. So we walk up to the last row and find….are you ready?…..leather couches. No arm rests between us. Immediately we both fondly recalled our fun sessions 50 years ago at the drive in, but not being as athletic and limber now, limit ourselves to hand holding and cuddling. Plus we both actually watched the movie. Plan B worked out a heck of a lot better than Plan A, and in addition, became a lot more enjoyable and nostalgic. Ah, memories!

Other than that serendipitous situation, around here contingency plans are darn near mandatory if driving any distance. Heavy traffic, accidents, road closures really bollix things up. We have lived here long enough to know several alternate routes through the city streets and over the hills that avoid the freeways. Plus we always check the phone app for congestion or slowdowns before leaving and plan accordingly. Which then brings up Dave’s First Law of Traffic – “the flow if traffic, like the flow of water, always seeks the path of least resistance.”

With that tidbit of wisdom in mind, have a great weekend, think drive-ins and no traffic.