How many of you have a 5yr plan?

randomshenans

randomshenans

randomshenans

Soldato
Joined
11 Sep 2009
Posts
14,064
Location
France, Alsace
I was talking to my step brothers over the weekend and it was interesting to listen to the difference in what people think about, in terms of their lives and their plans for, say the next 5 years.

I'm quite driven and I have set myself little targets for personal growth, education, rough ideas for areas I'd like to work and more experience I'd like to get to go along with that. Whereas, one of my step brothers, although he's doing better than the national average, is happy to bumble along, won't make any sudden changes unless something forces his hand. So, not actually doing anything to make anything different in his life.

Not a problem for many, they can go through life and this is fine, but when you're moaning about how things are, it's annoying as sin if they won't do anything to change it.

So, you have any plans in life? Not just work, but life as well? Know where you're aiming to be?
 
Become stronger, faster, smarter and richer. If I'm doing worse in anything than the previous year then, well, I haven't planned that part.
 
3phwx0_zps344f2a98.jpg
 
I could say "Goals" rather than targets, maybe? But I have several!

Home life; another little one. My balls are being pressurized in to producing a girl, which is easy, right?
I'd like 2 more properties. Probably apartments, which can self sustain. (rent vs. mortgages)

Personal growth; this year completing my PMP cert (I have until Oct), keynote speaker at a conference (doing in march). Post that, I'd like to complete an OU degree (as not in the country and basically for some increased knowledge of the financial services industry.)

Job Wise; This is where I have 2 potential plans. I am an entrepreneur (self titled, naturally) and if any of my potential ideas come off, I'd like to push those, obviously and run my empire, but in the same stretch, I'm realistic and so I'm also going to be attempting to follow the PM>PD>Programme Director route.

Should be able to fit all that in within 5yrs anyway.
 
I should imagine most people would have generally the same five year plan - be richer, be happier and have fewer problems; which is really about as specific as you can be for such a long period. If I look back over the last five years, I can say I've achieved one of those three. I could never have pinpointed my exact aspirations that I have achieved along the way though (particular job, particular qualifications, particular lifestyle etc).
 
Settling down just signals "my life is over". I've seen so many young people ruin their lives by having kids young. Such a waste.

Goals/targets are not a bad thing, but anyone who plans 5 years in advance is stupid. People make 3 year business plans but no one takes them serious after the first year. Use the same practice on life goals.
 
I suppose I like to use them as a guide. I'm goal driven and it doesn't have to be in any order, really, just like to know what roughly I'm aiming for.
 
Jason2 said:
Settling down just signals "my life is over". I've seen so many young people ruin their lives by having kids young. Such a waste.

Goals/targets are not a bad thing, but anyone who plans 5 years in advance is stupid. People make 3 year business plans but no one takes them serious after the first year. Use the same practice on life goals.
Click to expand...

Shows you have no idea about life, or peoples values on bringing another life into this world.

Businesses don't take multi year plans serious after the first year? You are like those duff energy saving bulbs, aren't you. There is the bulb and the electricity in it, but it never quite lights up, let alone shines in brightness.
 
randomshenans said:
I could say "Goals" rather than targets, maybe? But I have several!

Home life; another little one. My balls are being pressurized in to producing a girl, which is easy, right?
I'd like 2 more properties. Probably apartments, which can self sustain. (rent vs. mortgages)

Personal growth; this year completing my PMP cert (I have until Oct), keynote speaker at a conference (doing in march). Post that, I'd like to complete an OU degree (as not in the country and basically for some increased knowledge of the financial services industry.)

Job Wise; This is where I have 2 potential plans. I am an entrepreneur (self titled, naturally) and if any of my potential ideas come off, I'd like to push those, obviously and run my empire, but in the same stretch, I'm realistic and so I'm also going to be attempting to follow the PM>PD>Programme Director route.

Should be able to fit all that in within 5yrs anyway.
Click to expand...

G|mp said:
I haven't got a plan for the next 5 minutes let alone years.
Click to expand...

Ha, same here. Planning just seems a little boring. People need to be more spontaneous.
 
Truthfully up til now, I've meandered along.

The result is that I'm in my early(ish) twenties, with not a lot behind me or in front of me.

So whilst I'm not gueng ho about plans, I recognise a structure is important.

Thus, I'm finishing my degree and winning the lottery. (:p)
 
Fitness/health. Working on it now, should be "done" by Summer.

Debt-free. I sorted all my credit cards etc so I know I'll be debt-free within 4 years now. (Student loan nearly by then, mortgage no chance).

Move house. This will co-incide with debt-free and daughter going to secondary school. I don't want her at the local secondary, which I currently teach at! I will also try and drop the mortgage length from the 35 year mortgage I started with to a much smaller term.

Promotion / new job. Whether it's here or at another school, I'd like to be Head of Faculty. I turned down a HoF at a really good school because I couldn't afford the wage drop and the extra travel... because of the aforementioned debt.

At least 1 or 2 holidays abroad. Again, because of the debt, we've not been abroad since our honeymoon in 2009.

Biggest mistake I made was allowing myself debt. Nearly all of the above is because I bought things on a promise of a wage rise, a bonus or something daft. I'm now having to accept that the belt must tighten for 5 years so the next 45+ years (I hope) are much more comfortable!
 
I'm not a driven person, and therefore plans to me just increase the chance of failing at something. I go with the flow man, and make specific and individual plans as and when the needs arise (such as getting debt free, or saving for a house).

I have a friend who has set herself a bunch of arbitrary goals (married by 28, kids by 30, etc) and all it has done is make her stressed, as things like relationships aren't something you can plan.
 
I have plans but nothing set it in stone and i don't take them too seriously.

1) get out of debt
2) save up money
3) in the process earn more money over next 5-10 years.
4) move somewhere with a better climate and buy a house near the coast.
5) some where in there is get a girl friend and a dog, but not specifically in that order.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom