Now that you know where you are
going, what is next? You now know what you should be living for. You can see
vividly the life you desire to live. So what is your next step? How do you
bring your desire to reality? What do you do next? Where do you go next? What
time do you do what? The questions will continue to come as long as the vision
is clear.
Do you know what I will suggest
you do?
Look for money? No.
Start working on your desire
immediately? No.
Ask for assistance from people? No.
Float a company or start an
organization? No.
Are you still guessing? Okay, you
have given up. This is what I will advise you to do – sit! Sit with a pen and a
blank paper in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. And plan!
A lot of mistakes would not have
been made. A lot of regrets could have been avoided. A lot of waste of
resources could have been saved if proper planning has been done. But many see
it as a waste of time to plan. If they plan at all, they give it so little
thought and time that the planning is as good as none.
There was once a king who desires
to build a house of worship for his God. He perceived that he is not the best
person to build it and so determine to have his son build it. He made a design
of the house. He got a suitable land. And made an estimate of all the materials
needed. He purchased and stored all these materials in sizes, quantity and
finest quality. When his son came to the scene all he had to do was to
supervise the building. For many generations in that kingdom that house was a
point of reference for the entire citizen in extravagance and workmanship. This
is the result of planning!
The king had time to plan since he
was not going to do the building himself and he did not want to weigh down his
son with the whole project. So he concentrated on planning and did a thorough
job of it. He had time to think out all the details and nothing escapes his
thought. He did the necessary research and made the right contacts. He had
opportunity to weigh options and pick the best alternative. His job was to plan
and he did it with all his might.
Though we do not have the luxury
of time and singleness of participation like this king, it will help if we plan
our success journey as seriously as the king did. Think of it, having a plan
for your life. A road map that help in shaping your decisions and actions. It
brings uniformity and coherence into your decisions and actions. You are taking
decision and acting on different areas of your life but following the same road
map that leads to one end – the ultimate goal of your life.
The life which is
unexamined is not worth living –Socrates
Dare to examine your life now. Set
goals to achieve by time. Set yearly goals. Set five years goals. Set ten years
goals. Set goals for different areas of your life. Set goals for your personal
development. Set goals for your career development. Set goals for your
finances. Set goals for your social life. Determine what you want to achieve
within a specific period and how you want to achieve it.
Take note of your starting point.
Identify your gifts, talents and resources. Be conscious of your strengths as
well as your weaknesses. Plan around your strength and work out how to
complement your weaknesses. Pencil down those who have similar purpose and
vision as yours and determine how you will link up with them directly or
indirectly for mentor-ship.
To plan your life is to walk
through your life in your mind and write it down. It is seeing each step you
will take in the future. It is seeing how you will take the steps, and where
you will take the steps.
Planning your life is living your
life in your mind. It helps you to anticipate possible challenges and their
solution even before you take the first step.
Planning propel you to action.
Actions bring the vision to reality!
1. Your
purpose came from God. Your vision is received from God. Your strategy must be
inspired by God. “With
all your heart you must trust the LORD and not your own judgment. Always let Him lead you, and He
will clear the road for you to follow.” – Proverbs 3:5, 6. CEV
2. Your
purpose must be cast in stone. Your vision must be upgraded once it becomes a
reality. Your plan must be flexible, ready for revision as occasion demands. Review your plan periodically, as the
future is subject to changes not envisaged. “Don’t brag about tomorrow! Each
day brings its own surprises.” – Proverbs 27:1. CEV
3. Your
planning must be based on researched facts and information. Read relevant books
and listen to counsel from experienced mentors who understand planning and your
area of interest. “Where there is no guidance, a nation falls, but in an abundance of counselors
there is safety.” – Proverbs 11: 14. NRSV
4. Your plan is useless without action. Your actions will not produce the
desired result without the favor of God. You must therefore back every action
with prayer seeking God’s favor and help. “We humans make plans,
but the LORD has the final word. We may think we know what is right, but the
LORD is the judge of our motive. Share
your plans with the LORD and you will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:1-3. CEV 
