Life is complex enough so Planning should be a simple process. A complicated planning process makes life more complex rather than simplify it

1. How Are You Planning For The New Year?
That old nursery rhyme “Tick Says the Clock Tick Tick What You have To Do; Do Quick”
always comes to mind as the year gradually wounds down ticking away to its last days,
hours, minutes and seconds never to come back again. What do we have to do that we must
do quickly?
Finally the holiday has come. Femi, practically had to wade through the near craziness of the
festivities of the season to find time for some relaxation and reflections. A well deserved
time to relax and forget about all the hassles associated with etching out a living. As he lay
on the bed of his getaway resort, staring into space, his five sense embracing the ambience
and serenity that surrounds him. Silently he wished life should stop sometimes and allow us
catch our breath. It’s been a long three hundred and sixty something days into the year and
these remaining days are just for me. Oh what a relief! Suddenly the ticking sound of the
clock brings him back to the reality of the coming New Year and questions start flooding his
mind. How is it going to be? Will I make more money next year? Will I be able hit my target?
Ah! I really need to plan.
Yes we all really need to plan for the coming year. But where do you start from? There is
family, finance, career, children, education, business, relationships, health and so many
other areas to plan for. You remember almost all discussions lately have been centred on
planning and resolutions for the New Year. A couple of unsolicited text messages have
slipped into your phone and e-mail about planning for the years; 7 Strategies for a
Successful Year; 5 Tip for Planning your New Year; 10 Goal Setting Tips for the New Year;
How to Make and Keep New Year Resolutions and etc. All of these have left you a bit
perplexed with your heart raising and wondering whether to plan or to just let things be.
Planning for the year
What really is planning? Planning is a process of organising our life and designing the
sequence of activities that will help us achieve our life goals. A lot of confusion is being
generated by the over-commercialisation of the process of planning and the passage of time
as if a plan mixed with passage of time will always equal success. But the emphasis should
really be on the essence of planning. Planning is simply a process to simplify our lives, help
us achieve our goals and live a happier life. If planning now becomes a headache how can it
achieve its essence?
How to plan for 2015?
I share in this anxiety. It’s a fast paced world you are almost always trying to catch up but
after reading through many of the strategies, exercising with worksheet and tools for
planning, I realise there are only two things that are needful. Most other things are
encumbrances born out of worries and anxiety. An anonymous quote put it this way; ‘don’t

2. worry too much about life because you will not get out of it alive’. I am not encouraging a life
without planning but a simplified way of achieving your goals and enjoying your life in the
process. Achieving your goals has more to do with your change in attitude and approach
than a change in the environment. So as you plan for the New Year do these two things and
2015 will be your best year ever;
1. Simplify your life; Many times we think it is the plans we make that bring success
but when you look deeper you realise that the most important things in life are
never really planned. You don’t always plan how you are going to breath, grow
physically, love, be happy. Even the most memorable things that happen in our lives
are seldom planned, they just happen. You meet someone by chance and that
unplanned meeting signalled a new lease of life for your life and business. So don’t
be bugged down by this excessive planning stuff, just simplify your life. Simplifying
doesn't need to be complicated either. Learning to create a quieter, more balanced
space in your life can help immensely, and taking little steps is the best way to make
it happen. Eliminating clutter, getting organized, simplifying your relationships, and
learning to take the time to slow down and appreciate the little things in life can help
to keep you on the path to achieving success. You can start today. De-Cluster Your
Live
2. Plan for one critical part of yourlife. At every point in our lives there will always be
a critical area that needs priority attention. It could be your finances, relationships,
health, spirituality, career, business, academics, etc. Identifying and planning for that
aspect will automatically align the others aspects of your life. Imagine having serious
relationship issues with your spouse and you are planning how to grow your
business, what may likely happen is that the business will grow for a while and the
pressure at home will cut the steamout of the business and your guess is as good as
mine – marital frustration and business downturn will eventually be the outcome.
Relationship is more important, plan how to make it better and it will rob off on the
business. If it is your health or your finances ensure you develop and deploy
strategies that will ensure success and other area will align. If you take too many on
your plate chances of success reduces.
In conclusion, remember that the plan is for you and not you for the plan. Live your life, be
happy, eliminate stress in your day, complain less, learn to say ‘no’, give less time to the
media, spend only needful time on the internet, reduce your desires for vanities, fill your life
with people you love and don’t forget to appreciate little things of life.
Have a wonderful and fulfilling 2015!