Planning is Sometimes Overrated!

Perhaps like you, I’ve read books suggesting planning is essential if we’re to create the life we want. The popular quote:

“If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail” comes to mind.

I’ve always been a do-er. I like systems, procedures and tasks. But lately I’ve come to think that planning the heck out of my goals doesn’t leave much room for spontaneity, and guidance from above (however you view that).

Lockdown has shown me that spontaneity is crucial if I’m to get through the day with joy. And being a steady-eddy type, spontaneity isn’t my strong point – but I’m leaning into it.

I’ve long found myself conflicted by planning versus evolving.

I like knowing what I can be doing to move towards my dreams – and yet I also like the notion of leaving it to Spirit. To let my journey unfold as it will, under Spirit’s guidance.

I’ve wrestled with this conflict regularly. The whole notion of Mindfulness leaves me aware of my mood, and reactions, and sometimes my busyness finds me exhausted.  All my actions are ticking off tasks, but I sometimes wonder how quickly they’re moving me along my path.

So I’ve decided to tune in more to my mind, body and spirit.  And If I feel overwhelm, or a lack of direction, or a weariness, I’m learning to step back.

Of course, when I’m at HMP (paid employment) that’s not possible.  At work 9as employees) we’re confronted by tasks to be completed, conversations to be had, and things to be done. Whilst we can be aware of how these things affect us, the bigger plan isn’t ours to direct. But we can, to some extent plan our day.

If you have some leeway in how you manage your work time, allow yourself a bit of slack.  How many times have to heard how time away from work makes us more alert and able. Sometimes, we just need to draw back and allow ourselves some time in the slip lane.  We don’t have to go full pelt at everything. We can slow down.

We can go within and listen to our higher self- guiding us. But we can only hear if we turn down the noise of everything around us, and withdraw to a quieter place, inside or outside of ourselves.

I’ve found, in my personal life that allowing space to ‘go with the flow’ of my mind, body and spirit, is calming me down. When I’m less anxious about the result, I can focus on the activity, knowing that I’m on a journey to my personal goals.

I tell myself I still want to share Mindfulness with Education Leaders, but I’m not trying so much now to manipulate or guide how that happens.  The intense marketers out there might feel that; s opportunity lost, but as I’m more ‘old school’ than most, I’m ok with a slower rate of progress.

I used to fret that I’d missed my ‘time’ with Mindfulness. I berated myself for not diving into Social Media and all its potential.  But as I’ve learned to step back a bit, I trust that this will unfold as it will.

As long as I’m open to my inner drives to take action in certain areas, I’m learning to let go of the doing (as Mindfulness asks us to) and speak from a deeper place of knowing.

Planning is still part of my strategy but I allow myself wriggle room, and space to breathe as I move through the tasks.

This has meant I’m less fretful of deadlines, gentler on myself (less self reprimands!) and I rest when I feel I need to.  Pushing myself when I’m tired I’ve found is not only unhelpful, it’s unhealthy for me.

So I’m still weighing up the different approaches. There is something to be said for both camps. Know your strengths, plan for your dreams, but allow Spirit to guide you as you move through.

If you’re a head person (as I am) then this may seem like giving away your control. It can take some leaning into, for sure.

I’d encourage you to try stepping back a tad to get a quieter, rounded picture. Ease off the throttle when it’s safe to do so, and try to figure out how your inner guidance system inspires you.

It could be the stuff of dreams!

I still plan. But I also review. I take time to look over my week and rate myself in certain areas.