Setting the course

Let’s return to the other end of the planning process; the beginning.

Here we plan the journey. It’s fine to make a to-do list and get things done, but real planning means completing tasks that contribute to a greater goal. So how do you figure out what those greater goals are?

It begins with your values. Ask yourself the question, “Who am I? What are the most important elements of my existence?"

There are some exercises that may help you with your values. One such trick is to write your own eulogy. What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? Here are some examples:
He was such a devoted husband and father.
She was a fine musician.
He could fix anything.
She was so good with people.
He has a way with words.
She was a renowned engineer in seven states.
He loved his country and was a war hero.
She unselfishly cared for her parents for years.

Most of your values will be works in progress. In other words, they express the person you want to become. But they need to be your own, not written down just because someone else expects it of you.

Just the same, don’t sell yourself short. These are values you must work at to accomplish. But believe in yourself. Dr. M. Scott Peck said, “Until you value yourself, you will not value your time. Until you value your time, you will not do anything with it.”

Once you know who you want to become, work on the how and when. These are your long-range goals. Pick four or five. If you want to be a “renowned engineer in seven states” you will need an engineering degree.

Your long-range goal would be something like, “Electrical Engineering Degree, University of Utah, June 2012.”

This is quite a statement. It alone requires you to do some research about schools, pick one, get a general idea of the additional coursework you will need, and set a deadline.

Choose carefully, for you will get it.