Outline vs. Detailed plans?

Which do you prefer? For me personally, I’m more of a big picture kind of person. I look at how I want to get from one point to another. Meaning, I set a goal and, of course, I calculate how much work will need to be done in order to get there. But specific step by step plans never really work out for me. I have an idea of what needs to be done, where I need to go next, and what the most logical step forward is. I also allow for wiggle room. I don’t like step by step plans because more than likely something won’t go exactly according to plan. Then you could be half way through the plan and have to throw out the last half because stuff didn’t go how you wanted or thought it would to begin with. When I plan things it’s not easy to let go of the plans I made, it means I spent a lot of time I could have been spending just working on the project itself. Planning something that had to be thrown out the window because things changed. Where as, if I generally plan the project or work and just allow for plans to change expecting to have to adapt in the situation. It takes up less space in my head, I don’t end up having my heart set on something, then it totally flip upside down without warning. Depending on how much detail is really required, like if it’s a professional project, of course, I probably will need all the tiny details. Now, don’t get me wrong, I understand and acknowledge the importance of meticulously planned projects and assignments. In order to get my Stars and Stripes Award, I had to make a very detailed report of exactly how much time, money and even what I would do if by some craziness someone got paint in their eye from the project. I didn’t need all of the details I planned for but some of those meticulously planned parts helped me make sure I had a large enough budget for everything that we did during that service project. The key is to find a style of planning that works best for you and your task those are the two most important things. Ask yourself, “Is this working well for me?” Then, “Is this appropriate for my task or goal?” That way, you can be prepared for whatever will happen during the implementation stage of the plan.