DR. NELLA GODFRYD

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:

1. Situation assessment – An analysis of your current life situation.

2. Values – These are the things that are important to you.

3. Compelling vision – A powerful and motivating image of how you want your life to be.

4. Purpose – Your reason for being here on this earth.

5. Mission – This is a specific area that you focus on – what do you really want to do in life and for whom.

6. Dreams – These are special things you want in your life.

7. Exciting Goals – These are special things that you work to achieve.

8. Strategies – These are top-level plans for achieving your goals.

9. Action Plans – Documents that outline actions, owners, time frames, resources required, and prerequisites.

10. Monitoring and evaluation – Checking your progress with your plan, assessing it, and taking corrective actions.

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.

To learn more about how to improve your life, read Transform Your Life: 7 Steps to a Better Life.

Click the link below to download the first chapter FREE

Transform Your Life – 7 Steps to a Better Life – Chapter 1