To plan or not to plan…that is the question.

I came across a good quote the other day. 

“If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan.  And guess what they have planned for you?  Not much.” (Jim Rohn)

Many of the seniors I meet say that they are frustrated by feeling a loss of control over their lives.  And some are angry with the world in general, or with some specific people, because they are the ones who have taken the control from them.  But have they?

I don’t think we ever actually have control over our lives.  What we often have is a plan for the future, and a commitment to working our way through that plan.   Having that sense of purpose and having a sense of accomplishment as we make progress, both contribute to making us feel “in control”.

When you talk to your senior friends, they remember when they were young and had a plan, and had a passion for pursuing that plan.   And now, they have no plans.  Perhaps that is why they feel they don’t have control.  Perhaps they have allowed themselves to “fall into someone else’s plans”.

We met a new client this month who, at 80 something,  is moving from St. Catharine’s to Toronto.  She is so excited about her plan.  She feels in control.

One of my favourite books is “Dreams have no Expiry Date”.  I don’t think planning has an expiry date either.

Elaine