Thumbnailing and planning

Here's an interesting article that I both relate with and need to learn from.
The example about how a simple stick figure could have more life then a detailed figure is interesting, and understandable. With a simple figure, you can focus on lines of action, and make the movements feel alive. With a complex design however, you may spend more time on the way the character looks and neglect to give the movement the proper focus it needs.
The planning side of things is just as important. Making multiple drawings of a similar idea with slight changes can give way to better ideas then what originally was thought. Many people advise not to go with your first idea, because going with your first idea may lead to regret later on due to not thinking things through.
Both thumbnailing and planning are important elements to do before actually animating, and is just as important if not more so.