To Plan is to be Human

Last week, way past my bedtime, I was falling down the YouTube rabbit hole again. I know, I know, bad habit. But this time, I stumbled upon something that really got me thinking. Something I’ve been noodling over ever since. In an episode of Eons, a series produced by PBS Digital Studios, host Blake de Pastino poses a question that strikes at the heart of what it means to be human: “When did practicing medicine become something that we actually started doing?” While the answer may be elusive, there’s evidence to suggest that it started much, much earlier than most thought. It was 31,000 years ago, a fact which blew my mind.

Today, I found myself still thinking about it and on the National Library of Medicine’s website, poring over a study published in Nature titled Surgical amputation of a limb 31,000 years ago in Borneo. The subject? A young boy, barely 12 years old, who had his leg amputated between the knee and ankle. In a time when anesthesia was nothing more than a swift blow to the head (hopefully not), this kid not only survived the operation but went on to live into adulthood.

This was no prehistoric fluke. The success of a surgery like this demanded a level of anatomical, physiological, and surgical understanding that makes modern doctors do a double-take. These ancient “surgeons” navigated complex vascular systems, staved off fatal blood loss and infection, and made the gutsy call to amputate in the first place. But the real kicker? The intensive post-op care this kid would have required. We’re talking regular wound cleaning, dressing changes, and infection control – all without the luxury of modern antibiotics or a sterile hospital room.

And let’s not forget the challenges of adapting to life as an amputee in prehistoric Borneo. The implications are staggering: this ancient society had not only the medical know-how but also the foresight and strategic thinking to pull off a feat that would be impressive even by today’s standards. 

Now, you might be wondering what a 31,000-year-old amputation has to do with your modern-day business plan. Turns out, plenty. Just like that ancient surgery, today’s business plans are the product of centuries of trial, error, and refinement. While the East India Company’s charter in 1600 is often cited as one of the earliest formal business plans, the concept of planning and organization in business goes back much further. Ancient civilizations like the Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans engaged in complex trade and commerce, which required meticulous planning and resource management. 

But the connection between that Borneo amputation and modern business planning runs deeper than just a shared history. Both require a keen understanding of complex systems, the ability to anticipate future challenges, and the adaptability to pivot when circumstances change. Just as those ancient surgeons had to navigate uncharted medical territory, today’s business leaders must make decisions in the face of uncertainty and risk. And much like the success of that surgery depended on the transmission of knowledge and skills across generations, the success of modern businesses relies on the continuous learning and evolution of planning techniques. In a sense, the modern business plan is a direct descendant of those ancient traits. 

When you think about what sets humans apart from other species, a few things might come to mind: our opposable thumbs, our language, and our ability to binge an entire season of Succession in one Saturday (this is not a confession). But there’s another trait that I believe is even more fundamental to our success as a species: our ability to plan.  Our ability to imagine a better future and to take the steps necessary to achieve it.  And it’s the very reason why I created Businessplan.com.

My mission is to ignite entrepreneurial innovation and success rates by unlocking professional business planning knowledge and resources for everyone. I believe that the ability to plan shouldn’t be limited to a select few; it’s a necessary skill that every entrepreneur, every dreamer, every visionary should have access to.

So, here’s what we know about the business world in 2024: 

• Change is the only constant. 
• Disruption is the norm. 
• The future belongs to those who dare to imagine it. 
• The power of planning is more important than ever. 

And I’m here to make sure that everyone has the tools they need to harness that power.

The world is a crazy, unpredictable place. Just like that ancient surgeon, we’re all just trying to keep our patients (or, in this case, our businesses) alive. But here’s the thing – you’ve got a leg up on your ancestors (pardon the pun). You’ve got Businessplan.com.

I’ve spent the last 21 years perfecting the art of business planning, so you don’t have to spend the next 31,000 figuring it out on your own. I’ve seen it all—the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. And I’ve distilled all that knowledge into a platform that’s like having a seasoned business veteran on speed dial, minus the expensive consulting fees and the war stories that never seem to end.

So, whether you’re a starry-eyed entrepreneur with a dream and a maxed-out credit card, or a seasoned CEO looking to take your company to the next level, Businessplan.com has got you covered. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re trying to navigate the cutthroat world of business or hacking a pre-teen’s leg off with a rock; having a plan is what separates man from the apes.