Monday, September 14, 2009

Five Year Plan


Do you have a five-year plan? Have you thought about where you would like to be and what you would like to be doing in five years?

I have never been very good at planning. I'm a sort of "go with the flow" sort of person. But I starting thinking - how can we get where we want to be, if we don't know where that is? In other words, maybe we should have a plan.

I believe in the power of attraction. Like attracts like. So maybe we need to be very clear about what we want to have happen in our lives. Set a schedule, so to speak. Clearly define our goals, and more importantly, how to achieve them. Be open when opportunity presents itself. But know what we want to have happen. Then be flexible.

I don't know. What do you think? Are you clear about what you want to happen in your life? Do you have a clear plan to achieve what you want? Or are you happy with whatever comes your way?

35 comments:

Lydia said...

Nancy, I have never been good at setting five-year plans and I always hated that question in interviews ("Where do you see yourself in 5 years?"). But I have experienced the power of attraction. Ten years ago we rented a marvelous condo eight blocks from this house we bought. When we walked by here and saw the for sale sign I went home and wrote a message on the greaseboard in the office about having it as our. Things just fell into place! The greaseboard, by the way, still hangs on the garage wall with my original note intact!

Paula said...

Hmm, rather short term plans. Up to 6 monmths. Actually thougth it would be good starting to extedn that you 1 year. I went with the flow and not often ended where I wanted to be, made me wonder where I actually wanted to be. Now I live by short term plans and it feels good. It is a more sense of accomplishment. Have a good day

Delwyn said...

Hi Nancy

now that I am this age I have few long term plans...more daily plans...and at the top of the list is always gratitude....
I think I have achieved what I wanted to do in terms of accomplishments now I am more concerned with living in harmony and contentment...

Happy days

CrazyCris said...

a whaaaaaat?

um, no. but it would probably be a good idea to help me get my life organised! I don't even know what I want to do the rest of the (academic) year! :p

Leah J. Utas said...

I've never tried a five-year plan. I go with what I want in the immediate future. Maybe I'll give this a go.

Tess Kincaid said...

I have a loose plan, but always leave the door open to embrace what comes my way.

luksky said...

I'm usually go with the flow too, but I do get ideas in my head of what I want to happen in the future. I am realistic enough to know that sometimes plans and things change along the way. I just try to do the best with what I have along the way.

Brian Miller said...

my plan seems to have gone floating out the window...i enjoy planning, but alsoleaving space for what may come...for now i wait for the plan to be made known...

DJan said...

I have made five-year plans in the past, usually spurred by work requirements. But what I have found is that what I thought I would be doing is nothing like what has occurred in that time. Several things that are life changing have happened to me to cause this, and I think most people, unless nothing much happens in their lives, are the same. On September 14, 2013, I will be 71 years old, almost 72. Health issues could change everything by then.

GYPSYWOMAN said...

uh, plan? listen, i've no clue what i'm gonna be doing in the next FIVE MINUTES let along FIVE YEARS! my only plan is not having a plan - that does NOT mean, however, that i do not know exactly what i want and don't want - i do - and it doesn't mean i'm not gonna get what i want - i am - i'm a spontaneous flowin' kind of girl - i feel restricted and confined by rules, regulations, plans, etc - my "gypsy" tag is not mere coincidence! :)

Mental P Mama said...

I don't have a plan. But now I'm going to get to work on one!

Kay said...

always loved the saying, 'life is what happens when you are busy making other plans'...that being said, I start my next decade, with essentially the same 5 year plan as of which I started the last....maybe sometimes we need smaller goals to meet the big one in the end, but then what? :) lovely thoughts, have a great day!

harmony said...

I agree with Like attracts Like and have definitely experienced things based on what I wanted to happen in my life.
Saying that, I haven't done a 5 year plan, but like the idea of it.
For me, it seems that I plan about a year out and see how it works out.
Thanks for starting my week with potential positive change. Be well--

Unknown said...

Plans? I used to do that...but they never really worked out the way I thought they would...today, I prefer to be open to what the universe has in mind for me. That way, I like to think that I am doing the work that I am designed for .....(wow, did I say that?) I know that I have been blessed with talents, a couple anyway, and if I can use those to help someone, then I am useful. Smiles.

Anonymous said...

In five years I want to be comfortably putting my daughter through college. And I mean financial comfort!

Jen said...

Ugh... My five year plan is to have a plan in five years. I think five years is a long enough time in which to come up with a plan, don't you?

Jen said...

Ugh... My five year plan is to have a plan in five years. I think five years is a long enough time in which to come up with a plan, don't you?

Shrinky said...

I have what is now a six year plan, (twelve months ago it was a seven year plan) that I feel on course with. That's when my youngest will fly the coop for university.

I also have lots of in-between six monthly plans to keep me on track. As far back as I can remember, even as a little kid, I've always needed a focus to get excited about. You are so right, you can only ever get to where you want to be if you know where that place is.

Swetha said...

I'm pretty clear! I want a job in a Software Engg field and to succeed in that!

And pls do check my blog..
you have an award waiting for you!

Pat said...

From someone who doesn't know where she'll be in 6 months, five years is unimaginable! We pretty much fly by the seat of our pants. I mean, we plan every year to winter in AZ, but that's about it.

ellen abbott said...

I don't really think that far in the future anymore. I'm content to focus on the day at hand, maybe think about next week. I suppose it should be nice to know where I'm headed but I enjoy the mosey.

alaine@éclectique said...

I plan to be more open to opportunity; say 'yes' more often instead of being picky and choosy. My late mother-in-law lived her last three decades (died at 92) that way; never said 'no' and lived life to the full.

Thanks, Nancy, for this thought provoking and motivating post!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Nancy, you've expressed it PERFECTLY!!! Once again!!! I've missed reading your blog, and so I'm so glad to be back again!!! I hope you are well, and will look forward to catching up with you!! ~Janine XO

~JarieLyn~ said...

Part of my five year plan was to pay off my mortgage, which is approaching at the end of this month. Yay!!!!!! I had refinanced to a 10 year and I've actually accomplished paying it off in five. I had visions of saving and investing the rest of the money so that hubby and I can travel more. Once the mortage is paid off, we are debt free! I haven't really thought beyond that point except that I would like to move somewhere else within the next three to five years.

~JarieLyn~ said...

Oh yeah, and start another business of some sort.

robert said...

Being five years here in Athens, provided me with much of what I dreamed of (child, home, work to name just a few).
Carrying a dream with me for more than seven years now, continues to ask for its realisation. Maybe in five years time - who knows, nevertheless, continue to live along plans, some for the distance of five, seven, ten or just two years.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I had a plan, but we've been derailed by economic events that were not in our control. We are in the process of regrouping. Life is full of twists and turns and lately I feel wrung out, but I am of the mind that all a person can do is move forward. I am moving forward. Good subject.

sas said...

Over the past few years I have discovered the power of writing down a list of intentions. This seems to bring to me the things i am seeking (though not always in the form I had hoped!).

Of course, I am not (yet anyway!) a parent so I have the luxury of time and space and ya know, sleep :)

AngelaBradley said...

wow...I use to have my whole life dreams mapped out and it seems that each day I am just trying to make it that ONE MORE DAY. When I think of 5 years down the road...it's empty. I don't even know where to begin. I feel I am just getting by now. You certainly have given me something to talk about.

The Good Cook said...

As it applies to our finances, yes, we have a 5 year plan. And a 10 and a 15 year plan...

But like Delwyn, I've accomplished much on a personal level I now live for today.

Marguerite said...

Each day has a plan of it's own. I try to live it to the fullest because who knows what tomorrow will bring. Five years? I'm sure that I'll be having fun, wherever I am!

Yunz said...

hi nancy...hope u r doin great today...
i think that the topic is great...well,i am about the same with u....just go on with the flow type of person...i do realize the effect of this things...not so good aite....but i cant think any 5 years plan that i will follow consistently....maybe for while....but not too long....so consequently i dont make any plan....just goooo with the flow....try to better understand myself and what i am passinate for...^^

Hilary said...

Not at all clear. But as I age, it's becoming more and more obvious that a clear path is needed.

Cubil said...

Spouse and I have talked about the 5 year and other life plans made in the past. They nearly all got completed in far less time. Don't have one at the moment, a couple of things centered around creating balance in areas of income, work, play, giving back, etc.

Anonymous said...

I go with the flow as well. :)
I'd like to see myself living in some peaceful location with my husband and my animals. I would love a degree in something obscure and beneficial to the world.

I wish I had more plans that that. I just want happiness and safety in five years. I guess that's what I am striving for for the rest of my life.
Maybe a baby...

:O

Don't tell Josh. he he