The best laid plans…often don’t work out.

 

You know this from your experiences…often ‘fate’ intervenes or ‘people things’ change and plans need to be adjusted or shelved.

 

Maybe, the best laid plans rarely work out in the manner our ‘power of will’ wants them to work out.

 

So, why bother planning?

 

Why not just take each day as it comes to you, recognizing you have the strength and talent to face whatever circumstances and situations happen to come your way?

 

Of course, there are spiritual implications and these sorts of questions touch deep at ‘the human condition’, ‘what is success’, and ‘why we are here’. But, that’s not territory of this Thought Post.

 

We are business people.  At least, that’s one of the roles we play. And, it is a role that captures a good portion of our days…and lives. So, recognizing we are in business…

 

Why bother planning?

 

Here are 2 reasons, one very practical and the other, for some readers, will require a leap of faith:

 

The Value of Direction: Consider the native guide who described with animation the magnificence of the thundering waters…then raised a hand , showing the European explorers the right direction …then helped them cross difficult terrain, all the time adjusting the hand as it pointed…until they heard the water thunder and saw what we now call Niagara Falls.

Direction supports a positive attitude. When we see fingers pointing toward our desired destination it is easier to be confident, courageous, honest, persistent, creative, adventuresome, etc…enjoying those states of mind aligned with success.

The Magnetism of Purposeful Action: some believe fate, [or is it luck], favours those who act and especially those who act with purpose. Quality people are drawn to their cause…some of these quality people become acquaintances…some become friends, some become champions for the cause…others become crusaders, expanding the envelope and the experiences. The better the cause, the more the magnetism. 

Consider Terry Fox. Just one young man, filled with hope and a dream…knowing exactly the direction he was going…supported only by family and friends. Then…