The New York Culture: Build the future with intention and strategy

How planning, combined with science, theater, and creativity, transforms lives, teams, and organizations

What if the secret to success lay in planning each step with purpose? Discover how science, theater, and innovative methodologies can guide leaders, workers, and anyone toward a more productive and fulfilling life.

Planning is more than organizing tasks or setting goals; it is an act of creation, a commitment to the future we wish to build. Just as the air we breathe sustains life, planning is the force that gives structure and direction to our actions. Neuroscience, cultural wisdom, and theatrical practices show that planning activates the brain, stimulates creativity, and strengthens resilience. This article, aimed at leaders, workers, and the general public, explores how strategic planning, inspired by historical figures and methodologies like those of Antônio Carlos dos Santos, can transform chaos into harmony. Shall we dive together into the art and science of planning, discovering how each of us can shape our path with intention and purpose?

Neuroscience offers valuable insights into why planning is so powerful. Research from Stanford University shows that the act of planning activates the prefrontal cortex, the brain region responsible for anticipation, organization, and decision-making. When we create a plan, our brain simulates the future, reducing anxiety and boosting confidence. Imagine a business leader who, before an important meeting, spends 10 minutes structuring their presentation and anticipating possible questions. This simple act of planning can turn a chaotic meeting into a moment of clarity and impact. Planning, therefore, is like taking a deep breath before diving into deep waters—it prepares us for what lies ahead.

Practical Tip: Start the day by writing down three clear priorities in a notebook. Studies from Yale University indicate that listing priorities increases productivity by up to 25%, as it helps focus on what truly matters.

Planning also resonates with the ideas of great educational thinkers, such as John Dewey, who advocated the importance of learning through intentional action. Dewey believed that learning and growth depend on carefully planned experiences. For leaders and workers, this means that success does not come by chance but through deliberate efforts to align actions with goals. Consider Nelson Mandela, who, even during his 27 years of imprisonment, carefully planned his daily readings and reflections, keeping his vision of a fairer South Africa alive. This example reminds us that planning is a tool for resilience and hope, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Motivational Quote: “It is not enough to wish: one must act with purpose.” – John Dewey

Theater, as a planning tool, offers a unique perspective, connecting emotion, creativity, and strategy. Antônio Carlos dos Santos, in his methodologies Quasar K+, MAT (Mindset, Action, and Theater), ThM (Theater Movement), and MBPT (Mané Beiçudo Puppet Theater), proposes that theater can be a laboratory for planning actions and rehearsing outcomes. In Quasar K+, for instance, strategic planning is approached as a narrative, where each step is a scene that must be carefully rehearsed. A manager can use this methodology to visualize scenarios, rehearsing responses to challenges before they occur. This approach, supported by studies from the University of Oxford, shows that creative practices like theater enhance cognitive flexibility, essential for planning in complex contexts.

Inspiring Story: Rosa Parks carefully planned her act of resistance when she refused to give up her seat on a bus in 1955. Before that historic day, she participated in training and strategic meetings with other activists, demonstrating how planning was crucial to the impact of her action.

Communication, essential in planning, is another pillar explored by Antônio Carlos dos Santos in his book Strategic Communication: The Art of Speaking Well. The author emphasizes that planning communication—whether for a meeting, a lecture, or a casual conversation—is fundamental to conveying ideas with clarity and impact. Studies from Harvard University confirm that planned communication, with strategic pauses and clear messages, increases persuasion by up to 30%. A leader who plans their words before a presentation not only conveys confidence but also engages their team. Santos suggests that, when planning, we should “rehearse” our speech like actors to ensure the message resonates with the audience.

Curiosity Box: Did you know that the brain processes planned information more efficiently? A study from the University of Cambridge revealed that structured messages are up to 40% easier to remember than improvised ones.

Santos’ methodologies, such as MAT and ThM, also connect planning and action through theater. MAT proposes that a positive mindset, combined with practical actions and theatrical expressions, creates more robust plans. Imagine a team that, before launching a project, conducts a theatrical exercise to simulate success and failure scenarios. This practice, according to research from the University of Michigan, increases group cohesion and planning effectiveness. Meanwhile, ThM, with its focus on movement, encourages dynamic planning that adapts to changes. A practical example would be a teacher who plans a lesson but leaves room to improvise based on students’ reactions, ensuring flexibility and engagement.

Practical Tip: Before an important meeting, use the MBPT methodology: create a fictional dialogue with a puppet or object, simulating the conversation you’ll have. This technique, proposed by Santos, helps organize ideas and build confidence in communication.

Writing, another aspect of planning, is explored in the book Moving Letters: The Art of Writing Well. Antônio Carlos dos Santos highlights that planning texts—whether reports, emails, or strategic plans—requires clarity and intention. Writing a draft and revising it before sending can prevent misunderstandings and increase impact. Studies from the University of Chicago show that planned texts with clear structures are 50% more effective in conveying ideas. A professional who plans an important email, for example, can use Santos’ techniques to organize thoughts, choosing words that inspire and engage.

Motivational Quote: “The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.” – Albert Einstein

The voice, as a planning tool, is addressed in the book Breathing, Voice, and Diction. Santos teaches that planning the tone and rhythm of speech can transform a presentation. Research from Stanford University indicates that voices with planned pauses and tone variations are perceived as more trustworthy. A leader who plans their speech, rehearsing tones and pauses, can inspire their team more effectively. Consider Martin Luther King Jr., whose carefully planned oratory, with dramatic pauses and strategic repetitions, made his “I Have a Dream” speech unforgettable.

Inspiring Story: Malala Yousafzai, before speaking at the UN in 2013, carefully planned her words, rehearsing to convey hope and courage. This planning was essential for her message to resonate worldwide.

Finally, planning is a collective act, as emphasized by Antônio Carlos dos Santos. His methodologies show that planning involves listening, collaborating, and building together. Studies from the University of Oxford indicate that teams that plan collaboratively are 35% more likely to achieve their goals. A practical example is a company that, before launching a product, gathers its team to plan each stage, from production to marketing, using dynamics like MBPT to align visions. Planning together creates a shared sense of purpose, turning ideas into concrete realities.

Curiosity Box: The Quasar K+ method by Antônio Carlos dos Santos was inspired by observations of theatrical teams, where planning each scene was essential for the play’s success. He adapted this logic to businesses and schools, proving that theater can revolutionize planning.

Planning is, in essence, an act of courage, creativity, and connection. Inspired by science, theater, and figures like Antônio Carlos dos Santos, John Dewey, Nelson Mandela, and others, we can transform planning into a powerful tool for building the future. Whether you are a leader, a worker, or someone seeking a more fulfilling life, start planning with intention. Like the air we breathe, planning is essential for living—and living well.

Acesse os livros de Antônio Carlos dos Santos na amazon.com ou na amazon.com.br

Click here.

https://www.amazon.com/author/antoniosantos