As a Chinese ancient proverb goes, a man with plan is a man with hope. When
it comes to plan making, some may stick to a practical thought while others
may prefer a challenging one. Basically, I'd prefer the latter one.
Firstly, a challenging plan enables one to be more efficient. Inevitably,
task performers, concerned about hidden risks and challenges, tend to be
more cautious in every step of the way, taking precautions even before
problems show up. Take my sister for instance. When she decided to apply
for a master's program for chemistry, her family suggested her consult a
study abroad agency, which is more convenient and practical. However, she
chose to DIY her application, despite her poor English. Unlike those who
relied totally on agents, she worked like a dog. To prepare for her essay,
she usually burnt mid night oil to hit English version books or search
materials online. And finally due to her arduous effort, she was admitted to
Stanford with full scholarship. Thus it seems to me that a person couldn't
have been so self-motivated and efficient if she hadn't chosen a road
less traveled.
In addition, a challenging plan leaves room for innovation. It is because
to accomplish a challenging task, one has to think outside the box, instead
of turning to old-fashioned routines all the time. Take the card-reader
invention of Square for instance. If Jack Dorsey had just conformed to the
conventional way of payment without trying to get rid of paper receipt,
Square would never have come into being. With one swipe, not only can
customer simply sign on electronic screen, but it also allows them to learn
of the merchant's twitter handle, facebook page and Yelp account. This
innovative invention has made conventional payment a new form of
communication. But it isn't possible without a challenging plan in the
inventor's mind at the beginning.
It is not to say being practical is trivial. After all, practical plans may
guarantee a relatively easy and smooth success. Since being practical means
access to routines and previous problem-solving approaches, one can count on
experience without taking risks. Yet the fact is, most practical planners
tend to underestimate or even overlook the potential challenges lying in the
task. A blind confidence can easily hamper their performance, resulting in
failing the task eventually. Challenging plan, on the other hand, keeps one
alert and innovative.
All in all, despite certain seemingly good qualities about a practical plan,
it also comes with limitations. Yet a challenging plan allows the task
performer to be more efficient and creative, thus deserving more merits
than a mediocre and practical one.