Do you have a 5 year plan....

Do you have things in the back of your mind that you want to do.....at some point... It's that 'at some point' that gets us and leaves it in the back of your mind. Some big things 'have kids', 'get married', 'new career', or life experiences like travel.....Thiland, I hear it's beautiful!...?

I have a sense of calm about the future and confidence in things happening for a reason, the plan that is set out for me. That in part comes from my faith and the belief that we have a purpose in each day.

On the flip side I am very driven and a planner. A compulsive planner! For this reason it helps to have a sense of the direction that I am traveling. I recently made a 5 year plan (my friends and I joke about asking men their '5 year plan' and meeting their Mother prior to any date.... ;). The plan was a short list of important things I want to accomplish. It helped me to relax with the anxiety of wanting to do everything immediately and getting frustrated that I cannot.

There are things on the list that I want to do in my life. It was interesting to me that things like marriage and kids didn't come up first (theses are 'happens when it is meant to' items). Although they are important life goals, things like 'buy property', 'launch my own business', 'adopt a dog' (this clearly comes after property and having extra time at home to train a little monster), 'travel overseas to see a professional soccer game', all came up first.

It is important to take stock of what you want out of life. Then plan it. Even if you are nervous about what it may be, begin the steps towards making it happen. If you want to take a trip, set up a savings account and put a set amount in it every pay-cheque, research locations where you want to go, tell friends and family about your plan. Once the ball is rolling it is harder to stop it and it makes it easier to hold yourself accountable and attain your goal. Often you may hold anxiety or guilt about doing something, then when it happens.........now that wasn't that hard at all. You welcome the feeling of being thankful you had the courage to make it happen and experience it.

This makes it sound heavier then maybe it should be.... You would think that you would drive head first into the things you most want out of life. But, we both know that doesn't happen. The things you really want are usually the things you do not have or have yet to experience. Now. Why do you not have them already.....?

Action......create a list: 2012-2013-2014-2015-2016. List the things you want to do as well as the things you already have in your plan to happen (attend a wedding, move, etc). Realistically place items.....relax and make your plan to execute!

Don't be afraid to dream. You deserve all that you want. But remember, you are the only one who is going to make it happen.....