Improvisation is a useful skill, but planning will always take you further. It’s important to uncover what you don’t know and be ready for surprises. This might sound strange, but planning ahead means you won’t need to rely on improvisation.
Try to avoid improvising unless it’s absolutely necessary. In most cases, doing your research and preparing in advance is the best approach. This applies to everything you do, whether it’s solving a problem, facing a challenge, or creating something new.
For instance, if you’re working on a complex feature, break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks. Planning helps you foresee and handle any surprises that might come up during the process. It’s much better than jumping in without a plan and dealing with issues as they arise.
Always take time to prepare. Even if things don’t go as expected, you will always fall to your highest level of preparation.