- Plan for direction, not prediction. Decide where you are going, not how every step will unfold.
- Do not try to control the world; prepare to respond to it. The mistake is trying to control the system and context instead of building the ability to adapt within them.
- Use plans to reduce confusion, not eliminate uncertainty. A plan should clarify action, not create the illusion of control.
- Treat reality as the final editor. The world gets a vote. Update the plan when facts change.
- Optimize for adaptability, not perfect adherence. A good plan survives contact with life.
- Protect compounding; welcome useful surprise. Preserve the work that builds over time, while leaving room for discoveries.
- Do not confuse fullness with progress. A packed calendar often means low strategic quality.
- Slack is a feature, not waste. Margin is what lets you absorb disruption and notice opportunity.
- Serendipity works best inside boundaries. Randomness is most valuable when it has a container.
- Planning should increase contact with reality, not replace it. The map should help you move, not become a substitute for moving.