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Do you Jump in or Plan First?

Over the weekend I put together a 100-piece puzzle of Lizzie McGuire with my 6 year old daughter. I wanted to open the box, dump out the puzzle pieces and jump right in. She insisted on organizing the pieces into small piles based on shapes and colors. This took about 5 minutes and I have to say I hated every second of it. Lets get moving! She next “ordered” me to work on the outside while she worked on the inside. I like the outside, so I was happy with that. What happened next astounded me. Just as I was finishing the outside I looked up and she had the entire inside of the puzzle finished! We’ve never finished a puzzle so fast. Especially, not this one that has a lot of similar pieces. My daughter is bright, but Einstein she is not. We finished this puzzle so fast because of her insistence that we organize before we start. I’m a jumper (as in jump right in) she’s an organizer. However, as painful as it was, I realized that even jumper’s can take the time to organize first. It just may feel a little uncomfortable. Do you jump or organize?

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Comment by Serina Kelly on November 15, 2010 at 11:38pm: As you already know, Ed, I'm a organizer, but is it to organize or just the fear of jumping?? I still battle with that one every day.

Comment by Sarah Norman on November 15, 2010 at 7:52pm: I am definitely more like your 6 year old daughter in this scenario! If I don't plan ahead before starting a project, I go crazy trying to decide where to begin.

I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing to be a "jumper." Indeed, it means you are enthusiastic about getting started and are clearly motivated. However, as your daughter has shown, taking a little extra time to prep can make a big difference in meeting your goals in a timely manner.

I love the little pearls of wisdom kids bestow upon us :D