Every now and then, whether it is during a job interview, meeting your future father-in law or just during a friendly conversation in a pub, you get asked the question what your 5 year plan is.
What's your reply to this question? I guess that we relate some sort of skill or maturity when someone can state their 5 year plan in a nutshell. And we all like to come across as if we've got everything sorted and are in full control of our own destiny.
However, I've found that the longer I think about it, the more unstable it gets:
What's your reply to this question? I guess that we relate some sort of skill or maturity when someone can state their 5 year plan in a nutshell. And we all like to come across as if we've got everything sorted and are in full control of our own destiny.
However, I've found that the longer I think about it, the more unstable it gets:
- Do we assume that by setting a plan/goals we can significantly influence the outcome?
- Set over 5 years: just think about all the life changing events in the past year or even 6 months than can (and will) alter whatever you have been planning on
- More importantly: you might be missing out on alternative versions/outcomes of your life when sticking to your 5 year plan and goals
Because I know a few people who have these 5 year plans, and more often than not, they achieve them. With positive results as well, whether it's financial or otherwise. But there's no clue on what you have been missing out on while chasing those results. Added to that is the limited sense of achievement if you have achieved exactly would you've set out to achieve. "I've planned on achieving this, and now - 5 years later - guess what: I have achieved it".
I find more excitement in not planning out your life for the next 5 years. In a weird way, I've found that by setting up a 5 year plan I actually feel more constraint to keep at it as opposed to the comfort when I let these plans go.
That is not to say that you don't need any planning. I can save you some time by summarizing nearly all get-more-from-life books: set a short-term goal, make it measurable and make yourself accountable (use task lists, tell about your plans and goals, etc.). Because we need that sense of achievement, that you are on the right track. However, plan for 5 years ahead and I would challenge the ROI of that time spent thinking on that.