Once in a great while someone gives you a piece of advice that just sticks with you for the rest of your life. For me that advice came from my great Grandpa Paul, who at 106 years young had seen and done it all. I remember our conversation like it was yesterday, my finance (now wife) and I had arrived at his house to have lunch and share the good news of our recent engagement.
Over lunch the talk quickly turned to our big wedding plans. This was to be the best, most lavish, hip, over-the-top wedding that anyone had ever been to. We wanted to pull out all the stops and ensure that our special day had top of the line everything from the flowers to the food. We were so excited that my finance and I probably talked for 10 minutes straight without taking a breath. As we were going on and on, I saw my Grandpa Paul’s facial expressions change. He was a very patient man but it was becoming obvious that he was quickly losing his patience with us.
As we gave our jaws some much needed rest, my Grandpa Paul sat back on his chair and slowly lite up a cigar. We both could sense that he was about to say something important. I finally broke the silence and asked, “Grandpa Paul, you look disappointed, what is on your mind?” He looked at both of us and said, “I am not disappointed, but you guys have it all wrong.” I quickly responded, “What do you mean all wrong?” Grandpa Paul looked at both of us squarely in the eyes and said, “You two are planning for the wedding, not the marriage.”
It is not just young couples that make the “Planning for the Wedding,” mistake as many organizations and executives fail to plan for life after their own big day. Time and time again, I have seen executives make this shortsighted mistake and plan their initiatives like they are planning for a wedding, not a marriage. In doing so, these executives fail to think through how their initiative will be implemented, intergrated, and sustained over time. Many organizations and executives could learn a thing of two from my Grandpa Paul. When it comes to “Planning for the Marriage” the most important day in is not the first, not the last, but everyday in between.
Photo Credit: Dixie Chic