This wasn’t on our itinerary.
And it ended up being the best part of the trip.
We came to Argentina with a plan.
Hotels booked. Restaurants reserved. Flights set.
And then we got here and kept hearing about Iguazu Falls.
So we pivoted.
- Canceled reservations.
- Changed hotels.
- Booked new flights.
- Reworked everything.
And it was 1000% worth it. I mean, look at this place!
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It got me thinking about something I see all the time when it comes to productivity.
We get so attached to the plan… that we forget what the plan was actually for.
Here’s a better way to think about it:
Step #1: Know what you’re actually trying to get out of it
The goal isn’t to follow the plan.
The goal is to get the right result… or even more importantly, the right experience.
We plan our days, our weeks, our projects because we want something on the other side of it.
- Progress.
- Impact.
- Connection.
- Relief.
- Momentum.
But somewhere along the way, the plan itself becomes the goal.
So we stick to it even when it’s no longer getting us where we want to go.
Before you lock into your schedule, ask yourself:
What do I actually want from this?
Because when you’re clear on that, you’re much more willing to adjust how you get there.
Step #2: Build the plan and expect it to change
I talk a lot about planning.
And yes, you need a plan.
It gives you direction. It creates structure. It helps you move.
But the most productive people I know aren’t rigid with their time.
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They’re clear on their priorities… and flexible with the path.
They don’t see a change as failure.
They see it as refinement.
- Something shifted.
- New information came in.
- A better opportunity showed up.
So they adjust.
Planning gives you direction. Then you evolve it as you go.
Step #3: Pivot faster than your ego wants to
This is the hard part.
Because once you’ve made a plan, you’ve invested in it.
Time. Energy. Decisions.
So even when it’s not working, you want to stick it out a little longer.
Just to prove it was the “right” plan.
But the longer you wait, the more time you lose.
The faster you can recognize, ” This isn’t it anymore,” the faster you can shift into something better.
- Cancel the thing.
- Move the meeting.
- Change the approach.
- Rework the plan.
You’re not being inconsistent. You’re being effective.
The Bottom Line
Structure gives you direction.
But flexibility gets you results.
Don’t abandon planning. Just hold it a little more loosely.
- Know what you’re really going for.
- Create a plan that supports it.
- And be willing to change it the moment something better presents itself.
Because the people who get the best results…
Aren’t the ones who follow the plan perfectly.
They’re the ones who know when to change it.
Xo,
Mridu
P.S. Planning is important. Knowing when to pivot is what drives results. If you want your team to master both, learn about team training here or explore one-to-one coaching here.
P.S.S. Productivity is more fun when it’s shared. Send this to your people.
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