maps, tables, lists, spreadsheets, breaking goals into manageable targets with deadlines and action plans: none of it works for me.
(It just occurred to me that if this really is your thing, translating your vision into a project plan with Microsoft Project might be a good idea. I use MS Project in my day job to scope out projects that I bid on, and contracts that I manage. Could be madly useful in personal visioning, too, I think.)
(I’m not an affiliate. Bill Gates is doin’ fine without me.)
It is not that I just need to find the right system. I’ve worked them all. I’ve mind-mapped, got in touch with my inner Visio, danced in the rain, had five year plans, one year plans, and reversed engineered them into the-next-3-minutes plans. I like the planning process. I adore visioning and conjuring.
But as soon as the plan is done, I’m done with the plan.
The value of the planning/mapping/flow-charting process – that it is tangible and practical – is precisely the problem (for me). I get practical. I start thinking money and gettin’ more and using my big brain for something practical and tangible and lucrative. I get out my LSAT books. I look into the MCAT. I look for another tidy three-year program with a pretty degree and a fat guarantee at the end. I start tying my goals to money and proven paths.
These are precisely the things I want to avoid this year. I’m not going to walk anyone else’s path. I’m just going to weave and wobble (I wear heels, after all) through my own pretty garden, as I like, and as I see fit, and I’ll get on and off that trail when my muse invites.
I’m not looking for the yellow house on the corner with the white fence and turn left there.
The thing I want is a mountain. It rises above the houses and the city and the trees. I can see it from all directions. I’m not sure which road to take, and I’m terrible with maps, but I know where I want to be…and I’ll swim my way there. Through the ether.
So that’s why I’m not goal-setting this gorgeous New Year. I’m not mapping my dream. I’m living it.
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I do the same thing when I plan. Once it’s concrete, in black and white, I either forget about it or completely lose interest. I’m working on finding a balance between planning and producing. If I know exactly how it all works out, it’s as if I don’t have any surprises down the way and that is disheartening.
The trick is planning out just enough to get my ducks in a row, but not so much that the end is spoiled for me.
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I think you’ve got hands and feet gripping ledges and crannies. In two months or so I’ve seen you climbing mountains. Inspiration. Thanks.
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This says it all! It’s the process for me as well – and then being able to SEE that mountain.
Love the mind pic of you wobbling and weaving in your garden (and the whole idea of being A-Ok with wobbling and weaving) – giggling about heels. I’m wobbling and weaving in my garden as well – but no f-ing way I’m wearing heels there – I’d be on my arse in the petunias.
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You are an inspiration. Love the beauty between, around and in your words, Kelly. You say mountain, I say deep, dark wet and moist. I’ll be wearin’ those heels down into some dark womby-sort-of-place this year. but then, who knows, upside down that just might be the mountain after all.
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The mountain that is visible from every angle is so familiar to me, as is the sense that the path to it is unclear and unknown.
I’ll be learning from you as you climb, and applauding the whole way.
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I am with you no this Kelly. For so much of my professional life I have been called upon to plan systematically. And I am GOOD at it. But I have resisted planning tis phase of my life in whcih i am stepping out to work in a very personal and passionate way. I set intentions, words, and mostly TRUST MY GUT. Things ahppen and pop (except when they don’t) and I am not going to do it any other way!
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Led here by a ProBlogger post, staying here by choice.
I like to keep my plans (tidy and brainstorm-scrawly, both) in my backpack and wear my Big Dirty Boots while I’m hiking toward whatever it is that’s calling me at the moment. I like mountains; I like ocean. I like shadows and sun and stars. And sometimes I even start to grow a couple — of wings — so there’s hope of flitting between all of them as I please.
I need to read this blog every day so I can remember my explorer-self and feel free to make “fluffy”-sounding arty comments. Goal of the moment: inspiration.
Peace.
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Heels. Cool. Watch out for those nasty cracks in the sidewalk. Rip a heel right off those strappy little sandals you so adore, they will. Kind of a metaphor for life (ok not really but strappy little sandals are still hot hot hot).
By the way, you know when you’re counting all your shoes… boots don’t count. Neither do flip flops.
I’m with you on the planning. I have several todo lists, project planning accounts, notebooks, wikis, etc. I love filling them all out. Then I’m done with them.
I should charge $$$ to help other people fill theirs out. I’ve done it so many times I’m getting pretty good at it.
Education: don’t get me started.
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Goal setting is very important specially if you want to plan long term.:*;
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