I believe in goal setting and plans. My #1 strength, according to Gallup, is strategy…which means that I love to make plans. God, of course, has a sense of humor because he allowed me to marry a woman whose strength is adaptability. So, she’s ready to flow while I squirm once the slightest departure from my plan emerges.
Leo Babauta writes about getting into the flow. He says:
Nearly every activity we do has a purpose, a goal in mind.
We drive to get to work, to the store, to a class or party. We walk for fitness, or to get to a specific destination. We work to achieve something, to reach certain numbers. We workout to get healthier, to get a nicer body.
But what would happen if we gave up the goal?
What would a journey without a goal be like?
Imagine setting out for a walk with no particular purpose — you might go in one direction because there’s a nice explosion of flowers over there, but then explore a different direction when you see someone playing music, then go in another direction because you’re curious about what’s there.
No destination in mind. Nothing to achieve. Just curiosity, fun, not knowing.
What would it be like to work without a goal? You might write something for fun, because you want to get it out of you, without knowing what the effect of the writing would be. You would figure out the work as you go, without knowing what the finished product would look like.
What would it be like to live life without a fixed plan? Without knowing where you’ll be living in five years, or what you’ll be doing, or what you want to achieve?
I don’t know the answers, but I do know that I’ve been freer as I’ve learned to let go of goals, fixed plans, fixed destinations.”
Wow. I like it, uh, well, I like it in theory. I think there actually needs to be a balance. Following a plan too rigidly gets us into trouble. Ask General John Burgoyne of His Majesty’s army. Burgoyne was one of 3 generals sent to the colonies in 1774 with the final onset of major conflict. He ended up in Canada and by 1777, had a masterful plan to help crush the rebellion. The problem was that “Gentleman Johnny” got so stuck on his plan that he ended up walking into the one disaster the British could not handle….an American victory that enticed France to join our war.
Leo is right when he writes, “You wake up, excited about being alive. You wonder….” Wonder. Do you do that? You need to. Even with a plan, it is most helpful to realize each day is special and full of wonder.
You do need to plan, or I should say that it’s worked out well for me over the past 48 years. But, learn to hold your plans loosely lest you miss a critical juncture where you need to zig instead of zag….even if that “zag” had been long planned.