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5 Apr 10 What you want now is not what you’ll want tomorrow
People in business, politics and their private lives are obsessed with plans, short term ones, and even more so long term ones. Committing to big, long term plans is dangerous though, the inertia that you create from it, motion forward means that it is hard to change your direction if you change your mind - you’ve already invested so much into it, and besides, you’ll look stupid if you change your mind, right?
The problem with long term planning is that you almost get them wrong - you won’t want what you planned for when you get closer, or the terrain changes under you so your plan will be the wrong way of achieving what you wanted.
The main problem with long term plans, especially in your personal life is simple though: what you want now is not what you’ll want in 5 years time. What you wanted 5 years ago is not what you want today. Sound familiar?
When I left my native Sweden, I wanted to find a permanent job more than anything. Now I’d almost rather do time in jail than take a permanent job.
Three years ago I wanted to settle down, buy a home and a big TV. Now I want to get rid of it and go explore the world.
Two years ago, I loved living in London, the city, the vibe, the places. Now I’m growing sicker of it for every day that passes.
I didn’t know I’d want what I want now three years ago. Now the only thing I’m sure of is that what I’ll want in three years from now is likely not going to be what I want now. The only thing I am certain of is that I’ll probably change my mind somewhere along the line, and that’s ok.
I’m guessing most people are probably like me, but they are just too afraid of change, so they stick to their plans, even when the plans make them unhappy.
Long term plans for me are dead. From now on, I’ll only do small plans, plans that I won’t regret making, and plans that are small enough so they won’t build inertia from change.
