Week #10- Understand, Plan, Execute

This week I learned another valuable lesson by watching a show called "The Next Great Baker." It is a baking show that Monika and I are streaming it on Hulu. We have watched about eight episodes, and in each episode it seems like the team who goes home failed to understand the assignment that was given to them. Their goal is to bake fancy cakes, and each episode has a new theme. In order to find success, contestants must follow three simple steps: Understand, Plan, and Execute

Step #1- Understand
On the episode we just watched, all of the teams were to build a cake for People Magazine. The one big rule of the week was to have some sort of moving part on the cake, which requires the use of a motor. The purple team decided to pass on the moving part, because they were uncomfortable and inexperienced with moving parts on a cake. As a result, they were eliminated. Their failure to understand the assignment that was given them got them kicked off of the show.

Step #2-Plan
After understanding the task at hand, you must come up with a good plan. One of the biggest mistakes we have seen on the show so far is teams who come up with a cake design that is too complicated. Bakers who design a cake that needs 12-16 hours to be completed will struggle when they are only given 8 hours to complete the challenge.

Step #3-Execute
After you understand the rules and come up with a plan, execution is the final step. Understanding what is required and coming up with a good plan is important, but if you can't execute your plan it was all for nothing. Execution in pressure situations is what sets apart those who are good from those who are great.

Whether you are a baker, an athlete, or a student in M Com 320, I encourage you to apply this simple three step process. Ever since my first writing 150 paper (which was a disaster) I have understood the importance of understanding the task at hand and making a plan before trying to execute. I will continue to implement these important steps in my life.

When in your life have you successfully completed this process? How did it go? Have you ever skipped one of these steps and faced the negative consequences?