Have you written down a plan for x years hence?

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   MarieLBposted 8 years ago

   Have you written down a plan for x years hence?
   
   We are here working for what?  Have you thought where you will get you as a writer in say. . . .5 years time?  Have you thought it through?  What are you doing now that will get you there?
   
   They sound like many questions, but in reality it is only one.  What are you doing now that will get you where you want to be in say. . .5, 4 or 1 year's time?

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   Rod Marsdenposted 8 years ago

   In seven years time I hope to retire from the non-writing work that I am doing. I also hope to be able to have a little cottage not far from a river where I can go fishing. Is this a pipe dream? Well, retirement will happen. The little cottage is in doubt. Anyway between retiring and obtaining the little cottage I hope to travel to Britain. While I am there possibly go on a dig if I am fit enough for that sort of thing. Possibly travel along an old Roman road that will take me from England into Wales. Archaeology in northern Italy and Egypt is also an interest but I would be very fortunate indeed to have the money to be involved in any of that. But you never know...

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      You are so lucid in your plan, that I have no doubt that u will succeed or at least get close.  U sound like u truly know what u want, & that is just great. Suggest u read Alan Robert Lancaster for inspiration! Thank you for sharing with us.

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   Buildrepsposted 8 years ago

   Good question.
   
   I've just written a Hub about Namibia, and in that Hub I included a Namibian proverb; "If you want to give God a good laugh, tell him of your future plans." That is very true. Banks want future plans, unsure people want future plans. They need driftwood to hold on.
   
   The best future plans are written in your head and are kept fluid. They change constantly by change of circumstances. So called experts will tell you plans are very important, but a plan is a snapshot. When you carve this snapshot on paper, you cast your future based on that particular moment. Like I said, a plan must be kept as fluid as possible. And that is probably very hard for many people.
   
   I've never made future plans, although I ran a successful business for many years. Now I'm retired. I see no reason to make any kind of future plan for Hubpages, because the rewards are to minor for that. If you want 100 million views on an article, which will give you a considerable amount of income, put all your effort on the best possible creation. Maybe this Hub is a plan
   
   Just my opinion about future plans.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hi, I cannot but agree with most of the points u make here, Future plans can & do go awry. But on writing down plans, I beg to differ.  It involves many of d senses & this makes it more 'real'. And writing can easily be amended as u go along.

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   tsmogposted 8 years ago

   My B-Day is in Sept. I always do a review of the past year then. Then I look at the 'sketched out' plan and adjust with flexibility. At that time I do a next year plan to begin in that month preparing for the first of the year, which is when it really begins and ends. It is similar to a corporate structure, how a NHRA Professional Drag Racing Teams do a season, and educational institutions. Good enough for them then good enough for me I think.
   
   I have a goal with objectives for that year, but I keep it to one goal. That goal may be versatile in breadth, yet not depth. The objectives are prioritized and I am very flexible with them. 'Change is inevitable', so adjustments will be made.
   
   I have a main goal for  1-yr, 3-yr, 5-yr, and 10yr. I list only 5 objectives for each again adjusting each Sept. Of course one leads into the other. A saying I learned is:
   
   Know what is important,
   Know who it is important for,
   Finally, Doing what is important.
   
   This year focus for me has changed almost radically, therefore all those 4 points for goals by years has changed. It is much, much more focused on wellness and health, family & friends, narrowing hobbies and interests, and then career type interest. I am still adjusting to that too. Next comes causing once were pass-time enjoyments to become present passions, such as writing and marketing writing.
   
   For instance I have a desire to run/walk a 10k. With focus that means firstly stopping smoking or curtailing immensely, nutritional considerations, actually running again of course, an exercise program of some sort, and learning too. That is in the 3-yr bracket, a goal, and five objectives. Done.
   
   Another newer saying a close and dear friend and I have is;
   
   No Pressure! Have fun, fun, fun . . . as best as can be.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      By Jove, I think you've got it Tim!  What an impressive life plan.  Now THAT is focus!

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   maven101posted 8 years ago

   The question is interesting in that it addresses only that person that is concerned with "attaining" something within the next few years or so....What of the individual that lives for the moment, that subscribes to the ideal of existentialism..?
   I'm of an age where I realize that life is a process, an adventure of discovery...I have never had specific goals or actually put together a plan to achieve a specific outcome...That is not to mean that I didn't provide revenue generating provisions for my children...
   My personal approach to life is one of joie de vivre, and regardless of the outcomes life throws my way I will continue to appreciate the fact that I'm still vertical and expressing that appreciation through my poetry...I cannot imagine my life coming to a fork in the road where I must decide what lies ahead...I do not have a fork in my road of life...

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      How lovely and refreshing maven101.  A woman of courage of her conviction.  I do admire that. 
      My question is not the HOW of doing this [although it comes into the answer] but whether you do or you don't & the why explains the objective.  Thank

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      maven101posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      I'm not a woman...My conviction is not based on courage, but on experience and positive feedback...I answered your question in that I don't subscribe to personal long-range planning, and gave the reason why...

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      To maven101. My sincere apologies for assuming your gender.  No offence meant.
      Some of us need guidelines - fluid as they may be -to focus on what is important to us. You do not, and that is fine.  Thank for responding and for clarifying my error.

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   alancaster149posted 8 years ago

   At least the next four years will be taken up with finishing the RAVENFEAST saga series, book six being four fifths complete with a late July, early August completion deadline (set by me). After that there'll be books seven to ten with twists in each. Who knows how exactly it ends? I do. It's planned, with a possibility of a 'son of ' spin-off series... Domesday here we come.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      There goes the voice of a professional author. It is the voice of security of focus & you would not need a written plan, would you?    It is amazing that despite the busy schedule you find the time to be here.  Thank you so much for sharing Alan

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      alancaster149posted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Right, that's got the flannel out of the way. I haven't got a clue what I'll do next week, let alone in five years. I think i'll go off on my hols to the Lido di Filey, get a skinful and forget about writing.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      Hope the ale is good at the Lido Alan Robert Lancaster!  Shame on you deserting us working folk like this.

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   DWDavisRSLposted 8 years ago

   During this Spring I was making plans for how I was going to improve my teaching of sixth grade reading and writing. Last year, after 12 years of teaching math and science, at my Principal's request, I changed subjects. My students' reading scores were high, they did well on their writing portfolios, and I was excited about doing even better next year.
   
   Then came the call. Because of retirements and resignations, my Principal was going to need me to not only change subjects again, but grade level. So now I am planning for 7th grade science and social studies. So much for my original 1 year plan.
   
   My mid-range plan is to continue to publish one new mg/ya novel a year from now until retirement. Retirement should be in 8 to 10 years depending of if I want to keep teaching until my wife can retire, too.
   
   My long-range plan is to retire, sell the house, buy a big RV, and become permanent campers.
   
   Whenever I talk or write about his, I hear this laughter somewhere in the background and know I've given God a good chuckle. (With thanks to Buildreps for the reminder of the Namibian proverb.)
   
   In reality, I take life pretty much day by day. We never really know what the next moment may bring. So my plans are, shall I say, flexible.

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      MarieLBposted 8 years agoin reply to this

      DW Davis, thanks for responding.  Changes keep us flexible, as you are with your plans.  But a plan creates stars to light the way . . .and if we don't make it all the way, there are other stars we can grab on to.  I love the RV and camping bit.  Mmm

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   MarieLBposted 8 years ago

   This thread has been so fruitful for me.  Your answers have been so well explained, and for me, definitely useful to consider and reflect upon.  It gives me confidence and inspiration to read how some of my fav writers plan their own time.  Thank you.
   
   I hope none of you will be offended if I say that I find it impossible to choose the 'best' answer.
   
   You are all too good.
   Cheers, Marie

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