To Plan or Not To Plan...Want Some Answers?

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'" - Luke 14: 28-30 MSG

"If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I'd spend the first four sharpening the axe." - Abraham Lincoln

PLAN: 
- a set of actions that have been thought of as a way to do or achieve something
- something that a person intends to do
- a method for achieving an end
- a detailed formulation of a program of action
- GOAL; AIM

Has anyone ever laughed at you for making plans? I know I have, and I bet you have, too.

I remember how it felt when family members made fun of me for making plans. It wasn't fun. I recall how hurt I was from their laughter and ridicule.

I took for granted that everybody who wants to achieve something significant with their lives makes plans ahead of time. Big mistake. It's just not true. 

Some people hate making plans as much as (if not more than) public speaking or getting a root canal, and I couldn't understand why. But after giving it some thought, I realized some things... 

Many people have a "que sera sera," or "whatever will be, will be" attitude. They let life happen to them, expecting things to happen on their own if they're meant to work out in their favor. 

Sort of like buying a lottery ticket. Or flipping a coin. (How often does that strategy work out, by the way?)

People who think like this always say what they want in life but never do anything about it. Their heart's desire always seems to lie just beyond their grasp.

Most people like to do things totally out of the blue without considering the results. No questions asked.

These people always seem to be playing catch up; nothing gets done. They have no self-discipline. Every little thing distracts their attention, pulling their focus away from whatever they need to be doing at that moment.

And you know what else? They also think you shouldn't plan anything for your life because your attention should be focused on them.  They are extremely self-centered.

They are takers rather than givers. Their motto seems to be "what's in it for me?" rather than "what can I do for you?" They want to be served, not to serve others. 

In their minds planning is a waste of time because they don't want to do anything that doesn't provide an immediate benefit for themselves.

I don't pay much attention to people who make fun of setting goals, or making plans. People who don't plan don't progress.

Life is not a let it happen experience, and it's not a game of chance. Life is a make it happen project. There must be deliberate effort to get things done.  

Contrary to what many people believe, success is not an accident.  You must have a plan, road map that takes you from where you are to where you want to go.

Think about it: if you don't know where you'd like to go, how will you recognize it when you get there...or if you ever do get there..?

We'll discuss ways to get this done in Part 2, next time we get together.  I hope I gave you some food for thought in the meantime.

So take care, enjoy your day, and until next time we meet remember...

Keep it simple...  See ya!