At the age of 22, I accepted a job that I was very excited about. Was it part of my plan for my life? No. Did I have a plan for my life? Yes, but it was tucked away somewhere and I hadn’t looked at it for a long time.
During the first month on the job I was so happy. I thought I had landed my dream job and was looking forward to helping the organization do great things. I planned some of the things I wanted us to do, looked at things we could do different, and was open to learning new things about the job. I was looking forward to playing an active role in that organization and helping to make a difference in people’s lives. However, what I thought was going to be my dream job did not turn out to be what I had expected.
After the first month on the job, things changed. I volunteered to do things that needed to be done, but was told we don’t need to do those things. I offered to help with projects, but was told that they didn’t need my help at the moment. “Why did they hire me?” I asked myself.
I learned as much as I could about the job and got to the point where I didn’t know what else to teach myself. I kept offering to help, but my boss kept telling me to just keep learning because he wasn’t ready for my help as yet. I felt discouraged because this was happening too often and for too long.
I prayed and asked God please, if this is not the job for me, send me another one. I was under-utilized and felt guilty going to work and having little to do. I taught myself some computer programs in the slow periods, but I was frustrated because I wanted to do so much in that job and I couldn’t.
I continued to pray and after a few months I applied for a job in another organization and got it. However, it was difficult for me to leave the job I had. I was still hoping things would change. Eventually, I realized that things were not going to change because that was the culture of the organization. With a heavy heart, I resigned from what I thought was going to be my dream job and moved on to my next job.
What I thought was going to be my dream job turned out to be a detour. Had I remembered the plan I had for my life, which included some of my values, I may not have taken that job. I also made some other detours when I failed to use my plan. Some detours can be costly and delay your progress in life.
Using the lessons I learned, I developed a strategic plan for my life which I use regularly. A strategic plan outlines where you are in life, where you want to go, and how you intend to get there. Writing and using a strategic plan is one of the best ways to plan and improve your life. Here is what a strategic plan for one’s life may include:
There are many people who use written plans for their lives and are very successful. You can write and use a strategic plan to help you focus; co-create the life of your dreams; take advantage of your opportunities; use your time, energy, and other resources more effectively; and make decisions that are consistent with what you truly want. Write down your plan and make it happen. If you use a strategic plan for your life you will be more successful and have a better life.
As a businesswoman, consultant, author, and human resource development specialist, I have helped and continue to help many people (and organizations) make remarkable progress in various areas of their lives. I believe that if you follow the advice given above, or write and use a similar plan, you too will improve your life.
In this 12 part series on “How to Plan and Improve Your Life,” I will be discussing each part of the strategic plan for your life. In next week’s article I will be discussing how to analyze your life using a Situation Assessment (#1 above). You will learn how to analyze your current life situation so you will know how best to improve your life.
Meanwhile, I would love to hear from you and about your progress, so please leave your comments below.
Copyright © Dr. Nella Godfryd. All rights reserved
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