My dad said something about my 'five year plan' that stuck with me

I was telling him my detailed plan for the next five years, you know, job moves, savings goals, the whole thing. He just listened and then said, 'What if you plan for the next five months instead?' He pointed out that my last three big changes (moving cities, getting this bartending job, going back to school part-time) all happened on way shorter notice than I ever planned for. It made me see that my rigid long-term list was more about feeling in control than actually living. Now I'm trying to focus on what I want the next season to feel like, not just what it should look like on paper. Has anyone else shifted from long-term planning to something more short-term and flexible?

2 comments

2 Comments

shane_anderson14h ago

Planning is just guessing anyway.

jennifer_fisher13h ago

But what if planning is more like making a map with the info you have? I get what you mean, Shane, it can feel like guessing when things change fast. But a good plan gives you a starting point to change from, instead of just reacting to everything. It's the difference between being lost and knowing you need to turn left up ahead.