Are you a planner? Do you enjoy looking ahead at the next day, week, month, or year and scheduling events or thinking about what lies ahead?
I am a very big planner. As long as I can remember, I have always had a planner and/or calendar to keep track of assignments, projects, appointments, and meetings, among other things. These days, my calendar is electronic and shared with my husband, and to-dos usually end up on a notebook I keep in my purse. Regardless of how it gets done I secretly enjoy the sense of “keeping it together” with these items.
Lately, however, I am beginning to wonder if I spend too much time planning. Is that possible? I think so. I am wondering how it may take me away from more important things, like family, friends, and just living life. Maybe I am not missing any major things, but what small things am I missing? Am I missing playing with my child? Am I a missing a conversation with my spouse? Again, probably smaller things, but still important things that make up a day…and a life. My concern is that in planning so many things I forget to live in the moment. I forget to just live. So, one thing I would like to work on is spending less time planning and more time living. And, I would encourage you to do the same. Now, I understand some planning is necessary – bills have to be paid, food has to be obtained, children have to get to school, and so on. What I am asking myself and others is to make sure we are not wasting precious time planning if it is not necessary. Easier said than done, but I hope to make it a reality in my life. How about you? Do you feel the need to cut back on your planning? What steps can you take today to live more and plan less?