Why Having A Five-Year Plan Is Pointless
I’m a very goal-oriented person. I have personal goals, career goals, educational goals, etc, etc. But do I have a hardcore plan on when I want to complete those goals? Nope.
I don’t believe plans and goals are synonyms for each other, nor do I think they are interchangeable words. I slightly cringe when someone asks me what my five-year plan is. I mean honestly I’m just trying to solidify my happy hour and brunch plans for the week. I can’t tell you where I’m going to live, what job I will have or if a ring will be on my finger in a few years.
Here are some of the reasons why I don’t have a five-year plan.
DESTINY IS MORE IMPORTANT TO ME
I believe that if you work hard towards your goals, things will fall into place…eventually. I covered a “Scandal” event a couple months where the cast was on a panel answering viewer questions. Actress Bellamy Young, who plays Mellie Grant on the show, said it took her decades to get a big break. But staying focused worked out for her because her character is specifically written for a slightly older more sophisticated woman. Hitting big milestones in your life doesn’t always come when you want it. Patience is a virtue. Things will happen when they are supposed to happen.
GREATNESS CANNOT BE RUSHED
It’s really easy to compare yourself to other people nowadays. It seems like everyone is reaching these great achievements in their lives (especially when they broadcast it on social media). Don’t fall for the trap. I want to publish a book one day. But I want it to be a good book. It’s something that I don’t want to rush. I feel like nothing in your life should be rushed because there’s this timeline you have in your head.
I HAVE MORE FREEDOM WITHOUT A DEADLINE
Of course I plan things; every ambitious girl should. But I’m not tied to my plans, I’m tied to my goals. When all your focus is on your plans, you never take into account the speed bumps and hardships that might occur later on. Things can always change without any notice. I know so many young women who are so determined to get engaged by age 28 and have kids by 30. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with this but if it doesn’t happen by the time you reach these ages, will your life be over? Will you be a failure? No, no, no. I feel so at peace living my life freely and not always thinking twenty steps ahead.
So the next time someone asks me what my five-year plan is, I’m going to tell them that I just want to grow. I want to grow into the woman I’m destined to be.
Stay driven
