Desperate Times Require Desperate Measures

I have been pondering President Obama's stimulus plan ever since he delivered his speech to a joint session of Congress and the nation last Tuesday night. I must say that I admire his gumption. However, I am not sure whether President Obama's plan will actually stimulate the economy and provide the necessary jobs without the financial costs being too great. I do hope that the plan contains the necessary ingredients for success.

Do you have a bold plan? Do you need outrageous resources for your audacious vision?  Is your scope broad in nature? For a risky plan, the following the ingredients are imperative:

• The basic cause/effect relationship must be intact.  You must settle with reasonable assurance that if "this" happens, then "that" will most likely be the result.

• The plan must have "SMART" goals:

S - Specific

M - Measurable

A - Achievable

R - Relevant

T - Timely

• You must count the cost at the beginning of the planning process. Will the plan buckle under the costs? Is it sustainable in the long term?

• The plan should remain as fluid as possible. Realizing that it is difficult to change the course of actions in bold plans, certain stop measures should be in place before implementation.

• Be sure to have tried and trusted human power that are able to execute and deliver.

While I am more in favor of concise plans, it may be time to dream bigger than ever because desperate times require desperate measures.