Life Planning Part I: Are You Stuck? Quit Wallowing in It!

18th May, 2011 - Posted by L. John Mason -

Most people can not achieve their major dreams without a plan. Yet, most people do not take the time to create a workable plan to reach their goals. You might make a list of what you need to accomplish in your daily schedule but a real 10 year planning session seems to be so overwhelming that it never gets done. You are destined to continue making the same mistakes and relearning the same lessons over and over unless you take a step back, examine the situation, and attempt a new direction. Often without an outside perspective, you may continue to go round and round, repeating the same actions and getting the same results which does not lead to your success.

Most people fear change and do not like trying new behaviors. It is stressful and anxiety producing to move in a new direction and, though history indicates a lack of success, we can feel safer using old ineffective behaviors. We often wait until things are so bad we need to make changes because the pain is so distracting that it forces us to try a new approach. Old behaviors and habits can be difficult to break. However, it is often necessary to move in a new direction to get NEW more positive results.

Are you stuck? Are you feeling like you are wallowing in a life or career that is not satisfying? If so, it may be necessary to explore the steps necessary to move you in a more satisfying direction. A large change like a possible career change is not a quick process. It is a longer journey. Each longer journey begins with but a single step. As you travel this path, one step at a time, you will ultimately arrive at your destination. Without the first few steps, you will not accomplish your important goals.

As an example, I was able to assist a friend of mine who was in a service industry as a hairdresser. She enjoyed many aspects of her career but found that it was lacking some important ingrediants for her. She wanted to go into healthcare and to become a resgistered nurse. With planning, and then execution of her plan, she was able to go back to school, take her courses, and get her training to become a nurse in her mid-forties. My friend does not regret the time or the work that this required. She is happy in her new career.

Or the path my friend took when he changed his career from law enforcement as a police officer to becoming owner of his own training company that provides services to our “Heroes” in law enforcement, the military, and emergency responders. My client, turned friend and partner, is now engaged in a business which supports the health and wellbeing of our country’s “Heroes” through his developing organization at www.herotalk.com. Rodger enjoys travelling around the country sharing the lessons that he has learned and following the plan that he first developed 8 years ago.

For some people. the plan may not be a career change but rather a financial plan that will change the patterns of saving or investing to reach a long range financial goal. Without a solid plan, the dreams or aspirations that you have may not move past the wishing phase… Planning might also include a long term plan for relationships, family, or even important educational goals. Life affirming travels, spiritual quests, or goals involving self-expression through creative endeavors such as music or art may require long range planning and give balance to busy lives. Carving time out of busy schedules for planning and execution of one’s plans are essential to this process and worth the efforts. The most common, and often the most successful planning that I have performed as a business coach, has been developing plans for success for people in sales of goods or services. The specific steps can be laid out and the successes measured by increased business and the financial rewards that go along with the successful execution of the plan.

Consider what you would like to do differently or what you really need to add to your life to give greater satisfaction to your life. Sometimes you do not know what will be important until you attempt new activities or behaviors to determine if these new experiences really fit for you. A secret to living to the highest level is often related to experimenting with new interests. Finding your passions will help to define your life and allow you to move your life to higher levels of satisfaction and success. More about finding your passion in upcoming articles.

If you wish to get assistance in creating a more successful life plan you may benefit from getting professional coaching. Coaching can help you gain perspective, lay out a step-by-step plan, and help your accountability to the agreed upon process. If you feel that you can benefit from coaching and outside perspective, please consider contacting the Stress Education Center at www.dstress.com. Good luck with your planning and implementation as you follow your pathway to your most important goals.