The quote is by the poet Mary Oliver (1935-2019, Pulitzer Prize winner) and the elegant beauty of it always spoke volumes to me. I live in a college town, and I frequently ask young folk I meet what their plans are for their lives. More specifically I inquire if they have written goals for all their roles (see footnote) and action plans and accountability checkpoints.
I am amazed at the vagueness of the replies I often receive. It seems we tend to plan our vacations with more energy than our lives. I’ve this belief that we all pretty much go the same distance in life, just many go in circles. Or as Yogi Berra famously said, “If you don’t know where you are going, you’ll end up someplace else.”
Closing Quotes:
“A clear vision, backed by definite plans, gives you a tremendous feeling of confidence and personal power.” – Brian Tracy, b. 1944, ‘The Power of Self-Discipline, The Psychology of Achievement’
“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” – Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973
“If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.” – Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970, famous for postulating a hierarchy of human needs
“Whatever failures I have known, whatever errors I have committed, whatever follies I have witnessed in private and public life have been the consequence of action without thought.” – Bernard Baruch, 1870-1965
Footnote: Six Major Life Roles
– Career/Financial
– Family/Personal
– Physical/Health
– Education/Mental
– Social/Community
– Spiritual/Creative
As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier