From the Pulpit to the Fryer: Fail to plan, plan to fail and all that jazz

The third “C” to success is Coordination – I learned at a very young age the importance of planning and getting organized to be successful in just about everything.  I remember the life-changing statement we all have heard throughout, well, almost forever.  “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  This has been the drumbeat in church administration since I can remember.  My denomination came up with “the church council” consisting of church department heads and pastor to plan calendars and committees, deacons, and the combination of both to plan direction and future for ministry, etc…back in the 70’s and 80’s.  Maybe it’s just me, but I never could get it to work effectively, and plans seemed to derail half the time. 

Of course, it’s a given, as you have guessed, I have relearned the concept of planning and coordination in my job at Zaxby’s.  I am a manager now, and it is especially important to be able to coordinate a plan that will produce the best results on the shift.  Sounds good, huh? Looks great on paper, huh?  I have seen and experienced writing down the lineup for a shift, placing the best possible people on stations, people that in normal circumstances are exceptional at their jobs, go haywire. Why? Was it because there was no plan in place? Maybe. Was it because the best people were not in the right places? Maybe.

There is one factor in this idea of planning and coordination to be successful. THAT IS FLEXIBILITY! 

 I learned that in over 30 years of ministry and now I’m reminded of it again that most days are not normal and people are ever changing and growing.  Coordination is not a static thing. It is dynamic (ever changing and moving). 

So!  Now what? How do we coordinate and plan?  Start out with a plan, and be prepared to adjust the plan along the way. Most importantly, and this is critical!  Involve people in the plan and help them to own it too.  All three "C"s must be in play at this juncture.  Communicate your plan, Encourage Cooperation and remember encouragement goes a long way!!

Besides, in the long run, God’s plan is ultimately the only great plan for our lives!

Trust Him today!

Charlie W.