Every business consultant says you should have a five-year plan and a ten-year plan, but let’s face it, life seldom cooperates, it just happens as cartoonist Allen Saunders pointed out back in 1957. (No, John Lennon didn’t make it up, just repeated it.)
Life is what happens while you are busy making other plans. – Allen Saunders
Photo by license from depositphotos.com
This truism was born home to me rather forcibly in 2014/15. Losing my husband to bladder cancer wasn’t in the plans, but it happened. Since then, I have tried not to sweat the small stuff, and there’s a lot of small stuff.
Should I have a one-year plan and a five-year plan and a ten-year plan for my career? Probably. But do I? Not really. I know it’s not possible to predict the future in the kind of detail that a plan requires. Future trends can be predicted, sometimes, though the predictions are often wrong or way off target as to timing. I’m still waiting for my jet pack and flying car!
So what do I think (hope) my life will be like in ten years? Not in any order.
- First and foremost, I hope I’m still in reasonably good health ten years from now.
- Lots more books & novellas written and published; more royalty money earned.
- Lots of travel to blog about for Tuesday Travels. I have quite the travel bucket list.
- A circle of dear family members and friends.
Do I have dreams of winning awards and making bestseller lists? Not really. I don’t have any control over that. What I can control is maintaining a reasonable healthy lifestyle, getting the writing done, maintaining relationships with loved ones, and not passing up any opportunity to travel.
I really need to work on that healthy lifestyle thing. But my niece is planning to grill pork chops on the BBQ tonight. There’s always tomorrow, right?
How good are you at planning?
Linda
Click on the linky list below for more posts for Week 32: Ten Years from Now… in the MFRWauthor 52-Week Blog Challenge.
I’m sorry for the loss of your husband, but happy you are surrounded by great friends and family. Hoping you get to all the destinations on your travel bucket list!
Thanks, Robin.
I’m so sorry about the loss of your husband. I hope you conquer your travel bucket list and that the large circle of family and friends remains a constant for 10 years and much longer!
Thanks, Sherry. Hope I can knock off most of the stuff on the bucket list, too.
Condolences on the loss of your husband.
The quote you posted is very accurate along with the best laid plans often go awry. Life is life and some things are out of your control.
I too am wanting to work on a healthier lifestyle, but food is my weakness and well it’s still a work in progress.
Yes, the best laid plans often go awry and much of life is out of our control, like it or not. Food is my weakness, too, esp. sweets.
There is indeed, a lot of small stuff. That is one of my favorite quotes, life is what hapens while you make plans. IT’s been my experience more than a few times that I make plans, and it seems God looks at them, wads them up and throws them in the trash. SIGH
WE live, learn, adapt and go on. Thank you for sharing!
Ellie, I like what you said about live, learn, adapt and go on. Thanks for commenting.
That’s a great attitude, Linda, and I wish you all the best in the years to come! Great post!
In this rapidly changing industry, I think the business plan for fiction writing is particularly difficult. I guess we just have to plan for the things we can control and stay on top of changes!
I shuddered hearing about losing your husband. My primary wish for the future is the health of my wife. As for writing, did you know that ten years ago there was no such thing as a Kindle, so publishing meant traditional publishers? Who can possibly know what the future holds.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I do love the quote, and it does make one stop and think.
Great quote and image. And you’re right. It’s hard to plan when you’re not in control.