My life would be utter chaos if I didn’t plan ahead. I have nothing against spontaneity, but when every piece of my life is left to the whims of last-minute chance I don’t operate at anything near my optimum level.
I am not an ultra-scheduled person. I have never been one to stick with rigid daily or weekly routines. But neither do I cope with the other side of the spectrum, where life is lived totally spur-of-the-moment. I prefer the middle ground: a basic plan with flexibility to adapt.
I find that planning ahead enables me to be more flexible while remaining intentional about how I use my time.
5 reasons planning ahead is good for me
- Planning ahead allows me to pace myself. I am not as young as I used to be. I used to get ready for a big party in one long day. I don’t have the energy to do it all in one day anymore. In order to handle big events I need to plan ahead, spread out the load, and do some tasks each day.
- Planning ahead gets me off my butt and out of my rut. I often sing the praises of trying new things and stepping outside my comfort zone. Unfortunately, I am not naturally good at it. Doing something new means usually requires effort: finding opportunities, figuring out hours and locations, actually going… Novel experiences only happen when I plan them ahead of time.
- Planning ahead helps me remember all my stuff. I am an expert in walking out the door and leaving my water bottle—the one I just filled—sitting on the counter. When it comes to leaving the house, my brain seems to think as long as I have something in my hand all is good. Which means other somethings are often left behind, especially when I am in a hurry. The solution? Plan ahead. I put all important items in a bag, basket, or cardboard box (right next to my purse if possible). Then when I pick up the one item my brain is looking for, I have all the stuff I need.
- Planning ahead keeps me focused on priorities. Without a plan, I would spend my days doing stuff that seemed interesting or useful at the moment. I might be part way through something and then notice something else to do instead. This is not the way to accomplish what is most important on a given day. By planning ahead I take time to think through my priorities and determine the most important tasks. I typically sit down on Sunday and jot down the key things I hope/need to accomplish in the coming week. In addition I have a series of reminders on my phone to prompt me about important tasks.
- Planning ahead reduces my stress level. Everyday life is filled with little decisions. (What to wear? What to cook for dinner? Should I stop at the store now or later?) The more I am in a hurry, the more stressful those decisions become. When I take the time to make some of those decisions ahead of time, my day has less stress. If I know I have an important morning appointment, I choose clothes the night before. If I think about what to make for dinner in the morning I find dinner prep time less stressful.
Bottom line: I can make life easier for myself by planning ahead in strategic areas. And at my age, easier is a good thing.
How about you? Where might planning ahead make your life easier?
