What We Can Learn From Elves

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

​​"364 days of preparation. One night of perfect execution." - "Magee," Prep and Landing, Walt Disney Pictures TV Short, US Release Date December 8, 2009

​[2 Minute Read or Listen Below]

New Path Productivity LLC · New Path Perspective Blog: What We Can Learn From Elves

My holiday season officially starts only after watching the Walt Disney Pictures TV short, Prep and Landing, with my husband.
 
It tells the delightful story of an elite team of elves, known as Prep and Landing, that helps Santa get in and out of millions of homes worldwide in one night. By preparing each site and guiding Santa and his reindeer in for landing, the team saves the Big Guy an incredible amount of time, allowing him to accomplish this monumental task.

​Most of us don't have the worldwide responsibility and overnight timeline of Santa, nor do we have an elite team of elves. Yet we can still take something away from this highly entertaining story, aside from the rejuvenated sense of purpose for a long-tenured Prep and Landing elf.
 
That takeaway is the value of preparation. Intensive training taught the Prep and Landing elves to carry out their tasks regardless of obstacles.
 
Preparation can also prevent hours of wasted time and re-work for us humans. Like the Prep and Landing elves, when we have a plan and prepare for challenges, we are less easily deterred from pursuing our goals and completing our tasks.
 
How can you best leverage the power of preparation?

• Document all steps required for a project and arrange them chronologically. Having this project roadmap in front of you will expedite execution and eliminate idle time wondering what to do next.
• Prepare a list and obtain the necessary project materials. When those materials are needed, they will already be on hand, minimizing delays.
• Consider any obstacles you may encounter during the project and develop a plan of action now to address them. If they arise, their disruption will be minimal, as you have already anticipated your response.
• At the beginning of each month, review your project lists and your calendar for the current and following month. You will gain perspective around expectations in the short term and your capacity to deliver. By notifying others in advance, you could possibly re-negotiate or restructure commitments.
• Similarly, review your project lists and calendar every week for the current and following week. And, each day, check your calendar for the current and the next day. Taking these actions will prevent booked commitments from sneaking up on you.

 
There is no shortage of quotes about the benefits of preparation. Some of my favorites include:
 
"Every minute you spend in planning saves 10 minutes in execution..." - Brian Tracy
 
"Plan for what is difficult while it is easy...." - Sun Tzu
 
"An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing." - Dale Carnegie
 
"If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail." — Benjamin Franklin
 
If you believe you don't have the time to plan and prepare in advance for projects and tasks, think again. You don't have time not to!