View Full Version : Detailed life plan...
Ultralight
5-17-16, 9:33am
I went to a presentation last night at the secular Humanist Community of Central Ohio. The speaker advocated some interesting, compelling, and clever ways about thinking of the future.
One thing he suggested was a detailed life plan, basically going year by year until a projected end of life.
Anyone do this? It really goes beyond the one year plan or even the five year plan most of us are probably used to.
He even showed us the timeline for his own life plan from about 5 years back. Very interesting...
Chicken lady
5-17-16, 9:50am
I had a detailed life plan. It ran through about now. My dd told me that if you achieve all of your life goals by the time you're 45, you were aiming too low.
now I have a vague long term plan (keep teaching as long as I enjoy it, garden, raise goats until I can't, live here with dh, add grandchildren, do pottery and fiber crafts, maybe expand marketing my work, get my house in order, eventually replace my car....)
Ultralight
5-17-16, 9:56am
Aiming too low is an interesting phenomenon, as is aiming too high.
Before placing my goals on my timeline I jotted them down.
-Find a more tolerable job
-Maybe go back to school for another degree
-Save up for an RV to buy when I am old (so I can live like Bob Wells of Cheap RV Living)
-Move somewhere nice with easy fishing access (no hour long drives to get there)
-Eat healthy
-Drop 25 lbs.
-Look to cook reasonably well
catherine
5-17-16, 12:21pm
Well my life plan, if you go year by year, will be considerably shorter than yours, UA. But I do have a feeling that I better be intentional now about how I live out the rest of my life. I remember about 15 years ago I was having lunch with my favorite aunt, who was 70 at the time and she said something to the effect of "I'm still not sure what I want to do with my life." And I was shocked, thinking, "Well, you better get on about it!" I just assumed that people of that age were just riding out their lives--decision-time over.
Now I'm only 6 years from being 70, so I better get on about making sure that my decisions, or lack of them, are wise.
iris lilies
5-17-16, 12:36pm
Sorry, Im not going to make a year by year plan, what a bore.
A general life trajectory plan is all I wish to sketch out.
Retirement was my big goal and having reached that, I have other goals vut will not tie them to a specific year.
Teacher Terry
5-17-16, 12:52pm
Retirement was my goal too and I reached it 4 years ago. Then within 6 months realized I did not like complete retirement and about that time a teaching opportunity just fell into my lap. Then I started to occasionally consult in my field and life was perfect. For years I had goals etc and reached them all. Now I decide each day when I get up what I want to do. WE are traveling, spending time with family, friends, dogs and life is great. This am after I fed the dogs at 7-they got me up I went right back to bed for 2 hours-simple pleasures.
Ultralight
5-17-16, 1:24pm
Retirement must be nice!
Obviously, if a detailed life plan is not for you, then it is not for you.
But it is something to consider.
For me it just really dawned on me how few goals I had to populate my year-by-year life plan.
And the goals I have mostly feel... I dunno... kind of "meh."
Perhaps underwhelming is a better term.
Then again, they are somewhat reasonable. And I have already completed a fair list of goals in my life:
-Play in a band
-Live in another country for a little bit
-Live in a few different states
-Learn to catch fish like a champ
-Go to college and grad school
-Make a documentary or two
-Labor organizing
-Become a minimalist
-A handful of NSFW things ;)
But part of me feels that I need some much more grandiose goal! haha
Teacher Terry
5-17-16, 1:34pm
It is nice but we are old-ugh! I think it would be nice to retire somewhat younger. Not to young but 50 would be perfect. I used to love to hike in the mountains but can't do that anymore. So now I walk on long trails that are fairly flat. Sometimes with age you start to get physical limits. I had goals my entire life so don't want them now. UL: it seems like you have obtained many goals.
Ultralight
5-17-16, 1:37pm
I had goals my entire life so don't want them now.
Well said!
I had goals but found that I had to adapt to life's changes which adds a lot of interest and excitement into the whole experience. I was not going to get married and did, had two children instead of 4, got my dream farm with DH in my late 40's not my 20's, graduated 50 years ago from a new profession that has multiplied from 200 to 14,000 in number making a large contribution to its success, retired at 60 and am healthy with a wonderful peaceful life ahead where I plan to contribute for the next 30+ years to horticultural, art and social activities in my community while enjoying travel, theatre, opera and ballet plus my family and friends.
Most things in my life arrived via detours BTW so planning for one turned into something unexpected and often unknown.
Ultralight
5-17-16, 2:25pm
I had goals but found that I had to adapt to life's changes which adds a lot of interest and excitement into the whole experience. I was not going to get married and did, had two children instead of 4, got my dream farm with DH in my late 40's not my 20's, graduated 50 years ago from a new profession that has multiplied from 200 to 14,000 in number making a large contribution to its success, retired at 60 and am healthy with a wonderful peaceful life ahead where I plan to contribute for the next 30+ years to horticultural, art and social activities in my community while enjoying travel, theatre, opera and ballet plus my family and friends.
Most things in my life arrived via detours BTW so planning for one turned into something unexpected and often unknown.
I couldn't imaging having
Canadians.
Oh goodness an entire life plan.....Other than being kind and doing the best that we can with the cards we are handed in life I can't think of that far in the future.
This morning we discussed out thoughts and dreams of three years ago this summer. We were moving to a new State, new position, new everything! Nervous yet hopeful. I don't even wish to review my babbling posts on the event. We did everything for the "future" and our great plans. SHTF in life, we ended up losing three parents, grown son had health issues, position was crappy, TN was not for us, we had three moves during that time................
SO today we plan but not that far out.
Williamsmith
5-18-16, 8:14am
Detailed Life Plan........Yeah right.
http://youtu.be/O1Z91YkPatw
Detailed Life Plan........Yeah right.
http://youtu.be/O1Z91YkPatw
Exactly! As my mom said, "Man plans and God laughs." Sometimes the best things in life are the unexpected and unplanned for. At the same time, it's not a bad idea to have some kind of compass in your life.
I have always done a lot of fairly detailed planning. It helps me set priorities, and it also seems to give God and my wife much occasion for laughter.
Ultralight
5-18-16, 8:47am
"Man plans and God laughs."
I think this mentality pacifies people about being a pinball in a pinball machine.
The presentation was given at a secular humanist event, so we would be more likely to say:
"Man plans; sometimes the plans move forward; sometimes circumstances change the plans."
For instance, I planned on having oatmeal for breakfast this morning. But the dirty pot in the dishwasher made me rethink my plan because I was kinda groggy. Instead I sliced two bananas and poured milk over them in a bowl.
Was god laughing at me because my plans were foiled? I would hope not. That would make the man upstairs one petty dude. Right?
I think this mentality pacifies people about being a pinball in a pinball machine.
The presentation was given at a secular humanist event, so we would be more likely to say:
"Man plans; sometimes the plans move forward; sometimes circumstances change the plans."
For instance, I planned on having oatmeal for breakfast this morning. But the dirty pot in the dishwasher made me rethink my plan because I was kinda groggy. Instead I sliced two bananas and poured milk over them in a bowl.
Was god laughing at me because my plans were foiled? I would hope not. That would make the man upstairs one petty dude. Right?
I somehow knew you were going to have something to say about that. Change "God" to "the Fates" or "the chipmunk in the tree." It just means that we have to be open and adaptable--and you know that. My apologies if I offended your secular sensitivities.
I think this mentality pacifies people about being a pinball in a pinball machine.
I think it functions more as a check on self-importance than as an opiate for the masses.
I see it as more in line with such military maxims as "No plan survives contact with the enemy", or "Plans are useless, but planning is essential".
Ultralight
5-18-16, 9:10am
I somehow knew you were going to have something to say about that. Change "God" to "the Fates" or "the chipmunk in the tree." It just means that we have to be open and adaptable--and you know that. My apologies if I offended your secular sensitivities.
How about "people and their environment"?
So: "Man plans; people and their environment laugh." ;)
No offense here. It would take a lot more than that to offend me!
Ultralight
5-18-16, 9:11am
I think it functions more as a check on self-importance than as an opiate for the masses.
I see it as more in line with such military maxims as "No plan survives contact with the enemy", or "Plans are useless, but planning is essential".
I somewhat agree. I'd say a hybrid of the these would be most accurate.
Perhaps: "No plan survives contact with the enemy intact, but planning is essential."
I somewhat agree. I'd say a hybrid of the these would be most accurate.
Perhaps: "No plan survives contact with the enemy intact, but planning is essential."
You could say "Man plans, but his philosophical construct accommodates suboptimal outcome scenarios."
Ultralight
5-18-16, 9:21am
You could say "Man plans, but his philosophical construct accommodates suboptimal outcome scenarios."
Near perfect!
Near perfect!
Wow. What poetry--not!
Ultralight
5-18-16, 9:25am
Wow. What poetry--not!
Okay, now I am offended! ;)
Okay, now I am offended! ;)
I think I hear God laughing.
Ultralight
5-18-16, 9:33am
His voice is added to the chorus!
His voice is added to the chorus!
Including mine! ;)
Oh dear, I still have hope for some things I want to do however I am in the mid-life readjustment. I went from thinking I was going to run the world to realizing it is a LOT of work to just do my regular job. I had an awesome plan and wrote half a novel, and then based on ex's behavior (partially because something got triggered by my dedicated writing practice) I got divorced. Haven't looked at the novel in 12 years, but would still really like to write. I have a moderate plan for that, just need to be able to some brain space after work.
I came up with an idea many many years ago when I started to study and practice Buddhism and was a couple years out of high school. In high school you are encouraged to figure out what you want to do, then study or train in it, then go push yourself out in the world to do it. Nothing about this process has you listening, to the world, to feedback, to anything but some internal urge that is just developing. Many of us make adjustments over the years but the sense I got was that we should not just 'follow our bliss' but that it should be what we financially support ourselves with. So there needs to be a balance between listening to what the world is telling you and making plans. That is very important to me because I am a big idealistic dreamer! I have a few of my big plans that I actually make happen in my job. I didn't want to go into education but I noticed that when I was in banking I kept on going over to the children and talking to them more than the parents, I was incredibly patient (according to other people) with our special needs customers and people who were upset. I took over the girl scout troop when it was being managed badly. And here I am.
Okay enough highjack, goals are
* write, finish the novel ideas.
* practice buddhism and go on a retreat a year
* get more involved in politics
Teacher Terry
5-18-16, 1:22pm
ZG: when I was working with people with disabilities to help them re-enter the workforce sometimes they would be so unrealistic. I didn't want to crush their dreams but for most of them-not all-they needed a way to support themselves while going to school/training, etc. We never paid for more then a 4 year college degree and only did that occasionally. WE had a limited amount of $ that had to be used wisely with many clients. So no we weren't going to pay for them to be a doctor and we weren't going to pay for any training that did not have a good job outlook, etc. I learned how to relay this news very tactfully. I hate the expression "Do what you love and the $ will follow." no it really will not. I had friends that were life coaches and that was their favorite saying for a high fee-ugh! Sometimes you just need to eat, etc. Reality can suck.
Yup TT, I know I got caught in that lovely thought bubble for awhile, then I realized that what I love includes paying my basic life expenses. I really wish I had taken a year after high school to experience the real world more. My parents forbid that but I think I would have been more focused on something in college that had more earning potential. I did love my degree program but really got my jobs after college more on my part time college job and that I could check off the college grad box.
That is why I have loved my job coach, she is very realistic and has experience in education so she knows that there is a crap shoot effect in your career plans.
I spent my entire childhood and early adulthood chasing goals. Either I lost interest in them and abandoned them, or I achieved them. I've very happy with what I've done. Now, at age 50, I have things I know I would like to do, but they are not goals. If I died today, I can honestly say I'd be happy with how I spent my life--nothing really important was left unrealized. I really enjoy living this way--a genuine lack of ambition is like having a very large monkey taken right off my back! :)
Williamsmith
5-19-16, 3:39pm
I have concentrated on returning to my childhood. Where I loved baseball, played guitars, studied birds, was fascinated by women, learned to identify plants, and watched Saturday morning cartoons.
Thats my detailed life plan.
My goal is to be sitting in the bleachers watching while the Cubs win the World Series. It may just be my head in a jar when that happens, but I intend to do it.
Teacher Terry
5-19-16, 4:12pm
My Dad loved his "Cubbies." HOwever, I sure do not remember them winning much.
My Dad loved his "Cubbies." HOwever, I sure do not remember them winning much.
You'd need to go back a ways.
frugal-one
5-19-16, 4:35pm
I read a book once called "The Magic of Thinking Big". It was life changing for me. I wrote down in detail what I wanted out of life and how I was going to make it happen. I came across my list a few years ago and I have achieved EVERY ONE of my goals. I am now retired ... living the life I always wanted. It doesn't get any better than that. So, yes I believe you need to make a life plan. Sometimes there are detours but if you know where you want to go, you make accommodations. If you just keep going with no goal in sight.... things remain as they are. The choice is yours!
freshstart
5-19-16, 4:49pm
I had a detailed life plan that was totally demolished. I need to think about a new life plan if life is going to stay like this for the foreseeable future because I hate rattling around with no life plan. More than a plan, I need a purpose
iris lilies
5-19-16, 11:29pm
How is a yearly plan different fem new years resolutions?
look, I am on board with a life plan. But tuing it to amnual goals may or may not work, depending on the trajectory of the overall plan.
I always write annual financial goals down on my dry erase board, and I swear it works. I write down the amount of revenue I want to bring in (which is always a stretch goal) as well as the number of projects I want to book and the amount of debt I want to pay down.
Then I think about my overall direction in life as my compass--the really broad strokes. No real timeline, but just the path, with all kinds of expectations that there will be forks in the road, speed bumps and barriers.
Finally I have a "habit-practice"--I just started that this year, where I simply work on trying to get in the right building blocks of each day. I mentioned it in a couple of threads: It's my "habit a month" program. Each month I'm trying to instill a new habit. So now, I make my bed every morning, meditate for 20 minutes, do just 10 minutes of yoga, taking vitamins, and logging in my spending and income. Habits/practices I'm planning on working on are reading habits (30 minutes a day), eating habits (regular habits related to breakfast in particular), contacting a friend or relative every day--even if it's just a text, establishing better work habits--meaning less time diverted to internet browsing.
I have concentrated on returning to my childhood. Where I loved baseball, played guitars, studied birds, was fascinated by women, learned to identify plants, and watched Saturday morning cartoons.
Thats my detailed life plan.
I read long ago that if you're at a loss as to how to live your life, you should reflect on what you liked to do as a child. I liked to make art, roam the hills observing nature, dress dolls, read, and hang out with animals. Nothing much has changed, but I've added a few things.
I knew early on I couldn't plan a whole life. When I graduated with my first certificate I could commit to doing that for 5y. No longer. 3y in I started on a new degree. Changed to that role upon graduation. back to school PT after 1y. Took 4y to graduate w the bachelors. Started job to take adavantage of that and that has been my career moves. I decided NOT to get a Masters' because I didn't ever want a BIGGER job. 24y later, that was right for me. I'm still working at my maximum allowable for my education and it's a good fit for me. Not too big, not too small. My career peak for job size was at age 40. I was driven until then. I have enjoyed a more relaxed role since then (even though it gets crazy and stresses me to the max at times!).
Financial: well, we used to be driven by Jones'es. It is maddening now at the waste $. At age 33 my Dad died. life changing!!! My goal was suddenly: no debt! Pay cash! Pay off everything. Pay cash. Decide on quality when we want something, save the $ and pay cash. In our 40's we decided we wanted zero mortgage by age 50. We snowballed and paid off the cabin at age 46 (smaller mortgage) and our primary home at age 49. Last year I purchased my final car and paid cash for it. I bought quality and there is no it won't last me 40years. (will I be driving at age 95?)
My current plan is retirement in 5y at age 60. It was originally 50 but I wasn't ready to retire. Then it was 55. Well today I'm 55. I'm not ready to retire. So every time I do this, my funding grows which will give my retirement more $ for different options if they arise or become interesting. I'm good with this trajectory.
So future life plans? See more of the US with travel, I want to become a Master Gardener, more quilting, more food preservation from our yard (we have no grass), walks, idle time and very few plans.
I like Iris' 1 year lifestyle. I have today off unexpectedly. I have no plan. And I am loving that.
Have I rambled or have I made some sense? :idea:
I read long ago that if you're at a loss as to how to live your life, you should reflect on what you liked to do as a child. I liked to make art, roam the hills observing nature, dress dolls, read, and hang out with animals. Nothing much has changed, but I've added a few things.
Interesting, and probably a really good way to at least do a self-check on your life. I had a ton of interests: I wanted to be a nun, a teacher of the blind (probably after seeing The Miracle Worker and reading Helen Keller's autobiography), an interpreter at the UN, a costume designer, an artist, an actress, a journalist.
What I enjoyed doing as a child was reading, reading, reading. I also enjoyed painting, making my own clothes, embroidering and acting in local plays.
Of all of those things, as a hobby, I'd like to go back to drawing and painting. As a vocation, even though I sabotaged great opportunities handed to me in both teaching theatre and broadcast journalism, I'm more or less satisfied with my career. At least it's been lucrative.
Gardenarian
5-20-16, 1:36pm
Rather than have a life plan, I think it is smart to take an inventory of your values and dreams and brainstorm about ways that you can create a life that you love.
My way of doing this has been to journal. I rarely look back at my journals; it is about the process of putting down all the random thoughts, ideas, and emotions on paper and playing with them. Shuffling the cards in your head and seeing what you've got.
Speaking of cards, I have found that the habit jotting things down on index cards to be very helpful. (You can also make quick notes on your phone.) The purpose is to capture ideas, moments of radiance, whatever - so that you can ponder them later.
Today I resigned from my job. I still have another job working as a substitute librarian, but I am in complete control of when and how much I want to work - really, anything from 4 to 60 hours per month. Last week my dh and I closed the sale on a vacation rental. None of these things would have been in my life plan; they were a product of circumstances, being in a certain place at a certain time, the right house coming on the market, being open to risk and change.
I'm looking forward to the next couple of years.
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.5 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions Inc. All rights reserved.