We make advancements in life by moving through different windows of opportunity (I know, who is moving through windows?! Use a door like a normal person!) Each of those stages offers specific opportunities relevant to our unique physical and mental factors. It is best to go to school when we are at the prime of our learning ability, join the armed forces when we are at the prime of our physical shape, live a fun single life when we are single, and perhaps have kids when we are in the best shape and position for that.
But as we know all too well, even the best-laid plans can be toppled by random events. Good or bad turns of events can change our course of life, forcing us to plan that course again. Other plans do not proceed as planned, leading us to a place or direction we did not wish to be at. When that happens, the first thing many do is assume their plan was inadequate or faulty. Did they create a bad plan, or did they fail to execute it properly? Was it their fault, or did external factors beyond their control caused that derailment? Answering these questions and trying to recover the plan is hard, especially under pressure or when we do this alone.
When plotting a course of action, it is hard to and strategize for every possible outcome. There is a point where the plan may become too complex and expensive than its worth. You want to design a reasonable course that will safely and reliably lead toward a set goal. The following points are necessary when plotting a plan big or small:
- Consider the overall plan and look for fragile connections and weak points. Consider those as critical junctions and secure them in ways to avoid failure.
- Insert proper tolerances at key points to allow the plan to change without causing a derailment. You could take a blow here or there, but it will not knock you off course.
- Prepare alternatives for those weak points mentioned above and create Plan B’s to keep you going.
- Weigh your overall options and specifically around the turning points. Set up parameters for when to apply these alternatives, including possibly stopping everything completely. When those values are set in advance, they are easier to implement when necessary, and provide a sounder decision when you need to make one.
- Saving for a rainy day is not only about money. It can also apply to time, energy, physical situation, and other assets your plan relies on.
- The transition that takes place when moving through such a window requires more from you than at other times and will likely place you under a heavier burden. Tie up loose ends and secure your financial, social, personal, and other networks before you embark on that journey.
- Hiring a Life Coach to assist you through this, from the planning stages to the execution and beyond could save you a lot of time, money, and energy, in addition to making you way more secured.
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Have a safe and successful journey!