As we all become wrapped up in the day to day aspects of running a business we tend to forget how things came together, and what was required to get us to this point. The old adage “Plan your work, and then work your plan” really does start to ring true.

A strong planning process can help avoid many issues and smooth out those that you do encounter. It is during this planning process that it helps to remember what I consider to be another truism: “When it comes to plans, it is far easier to critique then it is to create” (I am sure this one has been said/written somewhere else before, but I don’t know where. So for now I’ll claim it.)

Whenever we are shown a presentation or plan it seems to be our nature to point out what is “wrong” with it. We have a tendency to try and poke holes in it and show where it may not be sufficient to meet the needs. Unless you have been very concise about what it is you wanted and expected (something few leaders are really good at) being this type of critic is usually a counterproductive process.

When putting together a plan, focus on the aspects that are correct and will be retained in the plan going forward. That should be a positive lead into the areas that will need further refining. Creating a plan is not an easy thing. It is a lot easier for everyone with encouragement than it is with criticism.