For a good reason during these digital times; this section, and chapter in the book, is a pretty short one. It´s about planning. How to plan in a smart, and resource-efficient, way? What should a plan include? What should it not include?
Use the commentator-field (if your comment does not get published instantly, just wait for a while, in worst case even a day or so…spam-filters are not that perfect, yet, I ´m not able to be behind the curtain fixing all that when I´m sleeping).
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Stop Nobody Move 
THE TB12 METHOD
Think about the New England Patriots, a football team in the NFL, and their quarterback, Tom Brady.
Back in the early 2000s, Tom Brady and the Patriots were on fire, winning numerous Super Bowls.
In Tom Brady’s book, “The TB12 Method,” he shares that their success was all about careful planning and smart strategies.
Tom Brady stresses the importance of planning in both his training and eating habits. He has a specific routine to make sure he’s in top shape throughout the NFL season.
Bill Belichick, the head coach of the Patriots, is known for being a strategic mastermind.
He deeply studies their opponents, finds out what they’re good and not so good at, and then creates a game plan to take advantage of those weaknesses.
Success for the Patriots isn’t just about one person being outstanding; it’s about the whole team working together like a well-oiled machine.
Planning isn’t just about one player; it involves the entire team having strategies that help them work seamlessly together.
Moreover, both “The TB12 Method” and the Patriots’ game plan for injury prevention and recovery unveil a well-structured approach. This incorporates targeted exercises, nutrition practices, and recovery routines designed to minimize injury risks and ensure players are in prime condition.
For more insights into Tom Brady’s approach, you can check out his book: https://www.amazon.com/TB12-Method-Lifetime-Sustained-Performance/dp/1501180738
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This narrative paints a compelling picture of how meticulous planning and strategic collaboration are key components of achieving excellence.
Tom Brady’s emphasis on planning in his training and nutrition, reflects the discipline crucial not only in sports but also in entrepreneurship. The emphasis on collective strategies that seamlessly bring together the entire team resonates with the collaborative nature essential for entrepreneurial ventures to thrive. Overall, the narrative underscores the universal principles of planning, collaboration, and strategic execution for entrepreneurial success.
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Ellen MacArthur’s Solo Circumnavigation
Dame Ellen MacArthur’s solo circumnavigation, in November 2004, around the globe in a sailboat is a testament to strategic planning, adaptability, and resilience. Facing unpredictable weather, equipment failures, and physical exhaustion, MacArthur’s journey mirrors the entrepreneurial path of navigating through uncertain markets and unforeseen challenges. Her story emphasizes the importance of preparation, quick decision-making, and the ability to pivot strategies in response to new information, much like navigating a startup through its growth phases. Such a venture by MacArtuhr resembles the need to have a sketch of the whole jourey but also to leave some room for adaption since you never know how your adventure will turn out.
MacArthur reached France to complete the 44,012-km (27,348-mile) journey through the world’s most dangerous seas in 71 days 14 hr 18 min 33 sec, breaking Joyon’s record by 1 day 8 hr 35 min 49 sec (Joyon would later reclaim the record in 2008).
resource: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ellen-MacArthur
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Thank you Mischa for sharing. Indeed, sailing around the world is as courageous and challenging as starting a business. Therefore good planning often becomes a necessary condition for success. At the same time, it is also very important to leave a certain amount of room in case of emergencies. Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.
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The “Miracle on Ice” at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid is a true story that shows how important it is to plan everything out very carefully, just like we would need in entrepreneurship.
In the semi-finals, the highly favored Soviet Union team played the United States ice hockey team, which was mostly made up of amateur and college players. For years, the Soviets had been the best hockey team in the world, and no one thought they could be beaten.
Coach Herb Brooks carefully prepared for the game by researching how the Soviets played and coming up with a plan to counter their skills. He stressed working as a team, following rules, and having a well-thought-out game plan. Brooks planned by getting his players ready mentally and physically, and he gave them faith that they could carry out the plan properly.
Even though the chances were against them, the U.S. team followed the plan perfectly and shocked everyone by beating the Soviet Union 4-3. The win wasn’t just due to good luck; it also required careful planning, working together, and following through with plans. There was even a 2004 movie based on this story called “Miracle.”
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Absolutely agree! I had never heard of this story but it is a very interesting example of how meticulous planning, strategic thinking, and teamwork can lead to incredible success, even against the odds. Coach Brooks’ dedication to preparing his team mentally and physically definitely paid off. In both sports and entrepreneurship, a well-thought-out game plan is a game-changer!
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Thank you Linta for sharing this inspiring story. For those 3 goals that Soviet Union did manage to score, they were denied 36 times by the USA goalkeeper Jim Craig, especially in the frantic final minutes.
I agree with your takeaways from this for entrepreneurs that any task, howsoever insurmountable it might appear, must be approached with methodical planning and precise execution. Above all, one must have strong belief in themselves as half the battle is always won or lost in the mind itself.
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In the dynamic world of professional sports, strategic planning is the cornerstone of success. Enter Coach Alex Rodriguez, a real-life strategist who orchestrated a remarkable turnaround for a struggling basketball team.
Faced with financial constraints and a roster in disarray, Coach Rodriguez embarked on a mission to rejuvenate the team’s prospects. His first move was a meticulous analysis of player capabilities, market trends, and the competition’s strategies. This groundwork paved the way for a strategic plan that balanced immediate goals with a visionary roadmap.
Coach Rodriguez prioritized clarity over complexity in his plan, focusing on key performance metrics, targeted player development, and innovative game strategies. Recognizing the fluid nature of sports, he built flexibility into the plan to adapt to unforeseen challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
As the team executed the plan, open communication channels and regular feedback loops became integral. Continuous assessments allowed for on-the-fly adjustments, ensuring the plan remained a living document guiding the team towards success.
Coach Rodriguez’s real-life story underscores the significance of effective planning in sports. Beyond the realm of theory, his approach, emphasizing clarity and adaptability, serves as a beacon for sports professionals navigating the competitive landscape. This is a tale of strategic triumph forged in the crucible of real-world challenges.
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In football, when a freekick is given, 4-5 players stand in line close to each other at a distance to block the shot and potentially help the keeper. The keeper aligns the wall with respect to the weakest spots he defends. The rules mention a distance of 9 meters that the opponents have to keep from the shooter, but did not mention anything about the teammates of the shooter. Hence, for some time, players would stand in front of the defending wall to obstruct the keepers view, and making him misplace the wall, and thus impeding the competition to plan while working on your own tasks simultaneously. The rule was later adapted but shows how one can make use of rules in unintended ways to your own advantage.
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The strategy used in football for free kicks demonstrates an innovative approach to utilizing rules for a tactical advantage. Players strategically positioning themselves to obstruct the goalkeeper’s view reflects clever thinking and adaptability within the game’s rules. This example highlights the importance of creative problem-solving and the ability to exploit existing rules in unexpected ways to gain an edge. It’s a reminder that in many scenarios, thinking outside the box while staying within the rules can lead to significant advantages. This approach is applicable not just in sports, but in various aspects of life and business.
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I guess this is a perfect example to illustrate that rules have many outcomes often also unintended ones. Using them to your advantage can always be helpful to stay ahead. Niches can be a breading ground for innovative approaches in finding solutions to existing problems. Thereby it’s always good to identify as mentioned what is there and how to use it to your advantage
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In the women’s 1500m final, two Chinese athletes, Yang Jingru and Li Jinxu, perfectly executed the “rabbit tactic” and won the championship and runner-up in the event. After the starting gun sounded, all seven skaters skated at an extremely slow speed. Obviously, no one wanted to be the leader at the beginning. However less than half a lap after all the skaters started, Yang Jingru took the lead in accelerating from the outside lane. Her start time was even a little earlier than the on-site announcer’s race report. The skater who was originally in the leading position tried to catch up at speed, but Since Yang Jingru kept accelerating, she simply gave up and stuck to the existing tactics.
Yang Jingru slowed down her speed after skating in the lead and skated obediently at the back of the group. At this time, except for Yang Jingru, her teammate Li Jinxu, and the Chinese team’s coaching staff, everyone may not have realized that the visually last place was actually one lap ahead of the other players. As the game progressed, the players began to speed up slowly, and the game gradually entered an intense rhythm. The bell rang with the last lap left on the field. It was actually for Yang Jingru, the “last person” in the queue. However, except for another Chinese team player Li Jinxu, the other players regarded the bell as a sprint. signal, sprint with all your strength and hit the line with “two laps” left!
To a certain extent, the Chinese team’s successful use of the “rabbit tactic” to win the championship and runner-up was due to the fact that the players of each team were not very familiar with each other. In the final, they did not focus on Yang Jingru, who stood out from the encirclement. Generally speaking, in short-track speed skating competitions, once a player suddenly accelerates, if the main competitor has two athletes, one must send one to catch up, use up energy and fight with bayonets, while the other stays in the big group and uses the established tactics. If If there is only one main competitor participating, then you should follow him without hesitation. So after Yang Jingru accelerated, no one followed her, and she had already obtained the gold medal.
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During the 1980 Winter Olympics, a miraculous event unfolded in the ice hockey competition. The Soviet Union team was long considered unbeatable, being the best in the world. Yet, under the guidance of U.S. coach Herb Brooks, an incredibly detailed and thorough preparation was undertaken. The American team studied the Soviet team’s playing style and each player’s characteristics and tactics. Knowing their slim chances of victory, the U.S. team rigorously followed the pre-set plan and, to the world’s astonishment, triumphed over the Soviet team with a 4-3 victory. This win wasn’t a stroke of luck but the outcome of meticulous planning and teamwork. This inspiring tale was later adapted into the movie “Miracle (2004 film).” This story vividly teaches us that in the face of competition and challenges, meticulous planning, thorough preparation, and strict execution are crucial. These are aspects we can control. If we plan well for what we can control, we might just create an impossible miracle.
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It is very interesting to see how the US team could change the balance by studying how their opponents would play. It is in fact important and nowadays for high level athletes, it has become a norm to study the opponents’ style of play. Interesting to see how at the time it was not often used and made a much bigger difference than today.
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Steve Jobs, a master of innovation, once faced a daunting challenge: creating a device that would change the world. In a small, secretive lab in Cupertino, Jobs and his team envisioned a phone that was more than a phone – a device that could play music, browse the internet, and make calls, all at the touch of a finger.
The planning was meticulous. Jobs, known for his attention to detail, insisted on simplicity and elegance. He eliminated every superfluous feature, focusing only on what truly mattered. The team worked tirelessly, often clashing with Jobs over his demanding standards and seemingly impossible expectations.
As the launch date approached, tensions ran high. The prototype was still riddled with issues. Jobs, however, was undeterred. His vision was clear – a phone that wasn’t just a tool, but an extension of oneself.
Finally, the day arrived. The world watched as Jobs unveiled the iPhone. It was sleek, intuitive, and unlike anything anyone had ever seen. The gamble paid off. The iPhone was a resounding success, revolutionizing the industry and cementing Jobs’ legacy as a visionary.
This tale of Steve Jobs and the iPhone’s inception is a testament to the power of strategic planning, unyielding vision, and the courage to defy convention. It illustrates how focusing on essentials and eliminating the unnecessary can lead to groundbreaking innovations.
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Planning in climbing
Imagine a professional rock climber inspecting their gear before going on a challenging climb. This careful equipment check is essential to ensure a safe and successful climb. The climber understands that neglecting this step could lead to potentially life-threatening situations if the equipment fails during the climb.
The importance of thorough preparation is evident. Yet, there’s as in skydiving a balance to strike. Spending too much time checking and rechecking gear might mean missing the ideal window for the climb, risking the opportunity altogether.
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This is a very good example of the importane of thorough planning, especially in high risk situations
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I really like the metaphor used here in terms of climbing, it is very accurate and relatable. Thank you for the example, it’s an interesting read!
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Leicester City Football Club, a relatively small team, won the English Premier League title 2015/16. Leicester City’s unexpected victory shows the importance of agile strategy development and real-time decision-making. This parallels can also be adapted to entrepreneurship and running a business. Leicester City adapted their tactics and strategies based on their opponents and the evolving dynamics of the league. They remained flexible and open to change, which allowed them to stay competitive and overcome obstacles. Being adaptable and agile is essential for navigating the ever-changing business landscape.
Furthermore the triumph was a result of strategic risk-taking by their management and coaching staff. They invested wisely in player recruitment, tactics, and team cohesion, taking calculated risks to achieve their goals. Similarly, entrepreneurs often need to take risks, whether it’s entering a new market, launching an innovative product, or making strategic partnerships. However, these risks should be well-researched and calculated to maximize the chances of success.
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This story is perhaps one of the most interesting runs in recent times in the Premier League. The Premier League is filled with teams that are very stacked in terms of money and players. Leicester is a team that had just recently qualified from the second division in England. They came together as a team and truly showed the world that money and players are not everything in football.
It was a really interesting read thank you for the story!
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Hi Christina,
I really enjoyed reading this story, especially how it reflects that triumph was not merely a stroke of luck but a result of strategic risk-taking by the management and coaching staff. I think it’s a very crucial lesson in the journey of an entrepreneur.
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In volleyball, strategic planning is paramount for securing victory in a match. It’s essential to anticipate various scenarios and determine the most effective course of action. For instance, targeting the side defended by the weakest opposing player can be a viable strategy.
A well-thought-out plan proves invaluable, particularly during high-pressure moments. This concept seamlessly translates to real-world business scenarios, highlighting the significance of strategic foresight and adaptability.
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Formula 1 is a major sporting event and generates around 4.45 Billion$. So how exactly a sports with a huge logistics work at this scale and that too with venues across the world? They deploy various forms of transportations from shipping to chartering private planes to accomplish this. Since the event happens in five continents in 23 races, this all has to be quick. As soon as the race ends in 15 minutes some of the items are loaded on a flight for the next venue. There are also 2 copies of the goods needed, so while one batch is used for a race at venue 1 the other is being moved to the next venue. And for each team the logistics should be precise and spot on for optimal performance.
Formula 1 is a good analogy for a business, how multiple parts like players, logistics and team has to work in tandem to win. The planning has to be precise, there needs to be playbooks for each and everything to keep things going.
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Leicester City’s Triumph in English Premier League (2015/16)
Leicester City, a relatively small football club, achieved an unprecedented victory by winning the English Premier League title in the 2015/16 season.
The success of Leicester City was attributed to their agile strategy development and real-time decision-making. Despite being a smaller team, Leicester City demonstrated flexibility and openness to change, adapting their tactics and strategies based on the evolving dynamics of the league and their opponents. This ability to stay competitive and overcome obstacles mirrors the necessity for adaptability in the ever-changing business landscape.
The management and coaching staff of Leicester City engaged in strategic risk-taking, investing wisely in player recruitment, tactics, and team cohesion. This calculated risk-taking contributed to their victory. I think one lesson which can be taken out of this success is the importance of having a flexible planning strategy, as both in sports and in real life, the context is constantly changing. Therefore a strategy which takes that into account has in my opinion more chances to succeed than another one which does not.
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Story II: positive self-affirmations
Eileen Gu made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing. She clinched gold medals in big air and halfpipe, along with a silver medal in slopestyle.
Beyond her exceptional athletic feats, Gu’s success is also attributed to her dedication to mindfulness and positive self-affirmations. Despite sustaining severe injuries while preparing for the recent X Games halfpipe competition, which even impacted her ability to walk, she persevered. Unsure whether to compete, she ultimately triumphed, winning first place. She inscribed “Pain is temporary” on the back of her hand, along with affirmations such as “I am my greatest achiever” and “I have no fear”.
For athletes like Gu, mastery of skills is essential, yet the power of positive self-affirmations cannot be overlooked.
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Story II: Positive self-affirmation
Eileen Gu made history at the 2022 Winter Olympics, becoming the youngest Olympic champion in freestyle skiing. She clinched gold medals in big air and halfpipe, along with a silver medal in slopestyle.
Beyond her exceptional athletic feats, Gu’s success is also attributed to her dedication to mindfulness and positive self-affirmations. Despite sustaining severe injuries while preparing for the recent X Games halfpipe competition, which even impacted her ability to walk, she persevered. Unsure whether to compete, she ultimately triumphed, winning first place. She inscribed “Pain is temporary” on the back of her hand, along with affirmations such as “I am my greatest achiever” and “I have no fear”.
For athletes like Gu, mastery of skills is essential, yet the power of positive self-affirmations cannot be overlooked.
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