So, after work one evening last week, I nipped into the next-door garden to take a look. Mulling over the various aspects of the task, I was startled by my neighbour telling me that looking at the tree wouldn’t fell it. I agreed with her but explained that leaders, including the Duke of Wellington and others, all claimed that time spent on reconnaissance is seldom wasted.

I could have gone on to quote Abraham Lincoln to her. Lincoln is reputed to have said that, given eight hours to cut down a tree, he would spend the first six hours sharpening the axe. However, I thought this might be a bridge too far for my neighbour, so I kept my mouth shut.

Professionals obsess over logistics, not strategy.

I came across a slightly different version of this wisdom in RF Kuang’s mystical novel The Burning God. On the verge of another battle, one of Kuang’s characters fulminates over amateurs who obsess over strategy whilst commending professionals who obsess over logistics – and succeed.

So it was with the ash tree. My neighbour was obsessed with her strategy of cutting down the tree to solve the problems it caused. I, on the other hand, obsessed over the logistics of the task, taking time to plan the operation to remove the tree without causing collateral damage and removing the debris.

Success depends on preparation.

And this is why I spend a seemingly disproportionate amount of time with clients, working out where they stand before they make any decisions about their future. This is an obsession with logistics, planning and reconnaissance. It takes time. It pays dividends.

There is an alternative, of course. You can rush in, and with luck, you will succeed. But planning something, whether it be a shopping trip, a holiday, rearranging the house or garden or your life and money after the kids leave home, increases your chance of success.

How much preparation do you do?

Given you have 8 hours to cut down Abraham Lincoln’s tree, how long would you spend on preparation?

• None
• 2 hours
• 4 hours
• 6 hours

ABOUT

I work with ambitious, family-oriented professionals transitioning to independent consultants to create a 3 to 5-year holistic plan so that they grow wealthy, make a difference and find meaning.

My clients are aged 35-50. They are in a long-term relationship with family and parents who are supportive but ageing. They wrestle with personal and financial responsibilities and dream of more control, wealth, time and purpose.

If this excites you, you are coachable, willing to change, and want to stop going around in circles, then find out more at jeremydeedes.com

Then, take your next step and explore your way forward with a Mapmaker, a one-off online coaching gig to help you decide your options, assess our compatibility, and determine whether we are the right fit. Mapmaker is excellent value, held in confidence and without further commitment.

Photo attribution

Photo by Neil Thomas on Unsplash

Other attributions and references

Kuang, R F. Poppy War. 03 : The Burning God. New York, Ny, Harper Voyager, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers, 2020.

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What do you think?

Your views are important, and your fellow readers would love to hear your opinion, so share your thoughts in the comments box below, and thank you for your time and generosity.