False Progress and the PIAT.
I recently had coffee with a friend who wanted to talk about opinion on fitness and nutrition matters. This was not the first time he asked me for advice in these intertwining domains. After each of these talks, inevitably, my friend would probe me for information, implement my recommendations for a few days, and then slide back into his old ways. This current question-and-answer period, however, was different. As we sipped some of Columbus’ finest espresso and enjoyed a break from the heat wave gripping the area, my friend came to me with questions from beyond the surface level. Questions ranging from recent studies, to best workout routines, to my personal preferences poured forth like an enthusiasm dam had let go in my friend’s head. He was clearly doing more than humoring me this time.
Given his newfound enthusiasm, this time would be different for my dear friend, right? Perhaps. After all, if I could predict the future, I would do several things besides being an attorney. With some confidence, I can say that this time will be like watching a movie I’ve seen before, and trying not to be disappointed when it doesn’t end how I wanted. My confidence comes from the clear signs that my friend was stepping into a prevalent but well-hidden bear trap that lies on the path to setting big goals: the planning instead of action trap (the PIAT).
You read that right. The PIAT is common yet well hidden. An example demonstrates this well.
John decides to shed 10 pounds. He looks up “the best” diets to do so. Our future fitness freak reads all forum, message board, and social media debates on the merits of each diet. After 3 weeks, he picks a diet. Onward. Time to select a fitness routine. After three weeks of research, John performs the same song and dance, looking at different types of fitness regiments and settling on the perfect one. Now, to find a gym! John spends 4 weeks scouting out all of the best gyms in the area on the weekends. He asks his friends for reviews and gets tours of all available equipment. John now has the perfect diet, routine, and gym…. 10 weeks later.
John has meticulously planned how to lose weight, but has he made real progress during these 10 weeks? Not at actually losing weight. However, losing one pound per week for a slightly overweight adult is easy and at a healthy pace. Even if we are generous and give John two weeks to plan, he could be at least 80% of the way toward his goal at the time he just getting started.
This is what makes the PIAT so deceptive. John has made progress on the wrong goal. He needs to work towards the right goal. His goal was to “lose weight,” not “plan to lose weight.” For some, planning is easier than actually putting in the work, and they consciously step into the PIAT. However, most start with enthusiasm, and before they know it, the PIAT has got them. Lets talk about how to avoid getting caught in the PIAT.
How to combat the PIAT.
Given its hidden nature, it is better to have systems to avoid stepping into the PIAT rather than spending your mental energies being on the lookout. You want to go on offense against the PIAT.
Now that you know that the PIAT is a thing and that you must be on offensive, you may be tempted to jump into situations and get moving with little planning. If your instinct tells you that having no planning is a bad idea, you are correct. You have to strike a balance; still planning but being light-footed enough with it so that you don’t trigger PIAT’s pressure plate to catch your leg. Here is my system for avoiding stepping (or rolling) into the trap.
- Set a time limit on planning.
Some planning is critical, but we are not planning Normandy here. I usually give myself a maximum of one hour of planning for any task. An hour of truly focused planning is a long time. At one time, I feared what would happen if I planned incorrectly. I’ve since learned that we humans are incredibly adaptable. If I clearly missed something in my hour of planning, I simply adjust the plan on the fly. The key is to progress on the actual project you’re planning for, not just the planning itself.
2. Set critical metrics for the project.
By having metrics to measure progress, I force myself to move towards those metrics instead of being stuck in the planning phase. For a writing project, the metric could be as simple as “500 words a day.” For John, our fitness freak, his metric was losing one pound per week. Again, you can always adapt if you realize your metrics aren’t taking you where you want to go.
3. Set an unreasonable end date.
This is the most contentious of the rules. This rule is to force me out of the planning phase. If I don’t have much time to lollygag, I will get moving toward actual progress and will adapt along the way. In essence, I will be forced to avoid the PIAT. This part takes some practice. When I first began implementing this system, I would set due dates for myself that were impossible rather than unreasonable. With time and practice, I found a fast yet doable pace for me on projects. Try this for a few similar projects, and you will also find your pace. Remember, unreasonable, not impossible.
4. Check in.
The final rule is to have someone (preferably) or something to use to hold yourself accountable. I have friends with whom I share my goals and email once a week with a quick update. This update can be as short as one or two sentences. While a person is preferred, you could have a spreadsheet tracking how often you hit your metrics. The key is that you have to show your progress. As long as you have something to keep pushing you forward.
I believe in this system so much that I recommended to my fitness-enthused friend that he implement a version. Here is what we settled on:
- Planning Time Limit. I said he needed to develop a fitness plan by noon the day following our talk.
- Metrics. I told him he needed to go to the gym at least 3 times a week, regardless of activity. He had to do this for at least 3 consecutive weeks. We could add, subtract, and change days as needed.
- Unreasonable End Date. He had 1 month to complete the 3 consecutive weeks.
- Check-In. I was going to call him every Sunday to see how he did.
Avoiding the PIAT is not a challenge confined to fitness, however. You can apply my framework to taking an online course, starting a business, writing a book, or even cleaning your entire house. Remember, the overarching principle is moving towards action as quickly as possible. Some planning is necessary for efficiency and ensuring that everything on the list gets done, but you must move on from the planning phase the first chance you get.
Thank you, again, for taking the time to read my ramblings. As always, I love to solicit feedback from anyone who reads these. What other domains or projects can you apply the above framework? Thinking outside the box on a concept and using it in a new situation helps one understand its applicability.
As always, be undeniable.
jakedenham.net 