Making a Life Plan
Life needs a Goldilocks plan, not too detailed but not too vague, either. Ryan and Leslie cover the whys and hows of such a plan.
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Episode Minicasts - Making a Life Plan
Show Notes & Helpful Links
Set the table: What are we talking about when we say life plan?
A building framework. Rigid enough to hold the building up but with a bit of give so the building doesn't crumble when outside forces hit.
Segment 1: Why make a Life Plan? Basics
Intentional choices. Don’t wake up at 50 having “forgotten” to do something. Big difference between I wanted to do that, but this marvelous opp has come along, so I choose to do it instead, and I just moved from marv opp to marv opp, and ended up somewhere else I never intended to be and perhaps never really following through on anything.
Ryan: How is this different than than other life plans that people would have heard of?
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It is more directional than specific, but still not abstract. Going for goldilocks: not too big, not too little, just right. More goals and then sequencing of goals.
Specific: I want to be an OBGYN, get married by 23 and have my first of six kids at 25. Good luck hitting those marks. Abstract: I want to lead a joyful life of helping other people. Great overall theme, but doesn’t actually plan anything.
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Segment 2: Detail Work
Ryan: Deciding on what your life plan should like? (Different strokes for different folks) everyone is different
Leslie: Need to decide on your basic goals. General type of job, Marriage or not, kids or not. Then add some detail. Besides where to put your faith, decision about spouse is most important one we make, so also write down what you are looking for in a spouse. What are you looking for in a job?
Ryan: Common Pitfalls or traps that people fall into
Leslie:
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Too much or too little detail
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Not factoring in give, chance
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Not considering Time. 5th grade future story
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Segment 3: FAQ
Ryan: How flexible can my life plan be?
Leslie:
Almost as flexible as you want it. The point is you choose. You intend to do whatever you do, rather than letting life buffer you about.
Some structure there. For instance, if you spend 200k and 6 years becoming a doctor, and do something completely different, what opps were lost in the 6 years? Converserly, people can sometimes try to keep all options open and end up never choosing because if they go for lumberjack guy for spouse, then that precludes intellectual guy or business mogul guy… If they choose then the other options/potential goes away. Which gets to…
Ryan: Is there a timeline to when I can change? (Aged out for change)
Leslie:
Yes, some choices do age out. The most notable one women do not like to talk about: having a baby.
Ryan: How important is it to give back to your communities? Does something like that belong in a life plan? If not that that what”outliers” should be included?
Leslie:
That should always be in the plan, but nice thing is, it can happen wherever you are.
Outliers are specific to you. A concert pianist will have a different curve in their plan because of travel.
But again, they are details to fit in. This life plan is not detailed. It’s more a statement of goals.
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