I used to see my past as something debilitating, something to look at and be glad that it’s gone. When in actual fact, without it I wouldn’t know what I know now.
Anxiety, worries, bad experiences and feelings of failure, these are the things we remind ourselves of when we look back. Although, I know now that it doesn’t have to be that way. Looking at the positive and turning our weaknesses to strengths should be the way we continue to grow. What is your 5 year plan? Have you even thought that far ahead?
This might seem silly to some, but forming goals and possibilities in your mind that aim at positive outcomes are more likely to get you to succeed in life. Even if some or most of these ideas do not come to light, at least you know that you have a plan to move forward and be better.
What should a 5 year plan include? Well, it should give you something to work towards, for example, I would like to work my way up in the company in a years time, by doing a,b,c. Be specific about your goals, to give yourself guidelines on how you wish to achieve them. Be practical and logical, but don’t forget to live a little. Throw something in there that scares you. “Sometimes the greatest rewards in life, comes from the things that scare you the most.”, you don’t have to know the outcome of everything, well, heck! We never know the true outcome of many things in life. Along with these, ask yourself the question, Where do I see myself in 5 years?
Write down where you see yourself in the physical, emotional, financial and social aspects of your life.
Most importantly, ask yourself whether the things that you have chosen, are based on your own happiness, or whether it is based on the happiness, or acceptance of others in your life. It’s true we can’t be selfish, but when it comes to living a satisfied and full life, we have to understand what WE need and want.
It’s easy to lose focus of your goals when you are blinded by love, friendships or the inherent need to please others. I’m here to tell you that it’s OK to say no! I have said this in one of my previous posts, but it’s important first and foremost to know what you want and where you want to be in your personal journey, your professional path and in your relationships.
Your personal journey goals could include; I would like to treat everyone as fairly as I can, with kindness and love and teach myself to be patient in situations I find steer me to be impatient. In a professional sense , it could be, to work myself up to a higher level every year or 2 and generate specific creative ideas to further develop the company and myself. Lastly, and probably one of the most challenging is relationships. This refers not only to romantic relationships, but also relationships with family and friends.
I like to refer to the verse in the bible (1Cor 13;4-8) that says, “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.” This is beautiful, because it reminds us how we should want to act in relationships.
A 5 year plan is a guideline, so not completing everything gives you something to work on for the next 5 years. You will be successful in everything you do, because, although we fail, we should always learn from and grow on these failures. That way, looking at failures will give you some positive insight, on how to do it better next time. Positive thoughts, harbor positive mindsets, and these mindsets are what set our lifelong habits, which ultimately form our responses and lifestyles.
I don’t know about you, but for me, thinking positively, and planning something that will keep me focused sounds like a positive way to start a new year. So use this last part of the year to think about what you envision for your future in 5 years time. Let the juices flow and remember to maintain a good and positive attitude!
xoxo Dan the Wooman
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