Having a Five Year Plan

So today while I was at work and we were crazy busy I let my mind wander as it usually does and began thinking about how much my life has changed in a short amount of time since about February. I have met so many new and interesting people that have in so many ways changed my life for the better. And I went from spending another year in school to finishing my degree and graduating by August. This was a huge adjustment and scared me to death. I quickly changed my plans and of course now looking back on that decision, I do realize it was the correct decision no matter how many times I tried to convince myself otherwise.

I think back to five years ago. I would have been a senior in high school and of course just starting out and looking forward to finishing high school and moving on from these people. Since I was 12 or 13 I knew I wanted to be in public relations and that was what I would be pursuing after graudating high school. After a whole year I realized I hated public relations and my classes and began soul searching. Myself being a planner I never expected to change majors let alone transfer schools and start a whole new path. I told myself I wasn't going to be one of those that didn't know what they were going to do, and all of that changed the summer of 2008.

Back then I did have a five year plan. By 2011 I had expected to be graduated from college (which I have accomplished) but with a public relations degree (not social work) and living in North Carolina working in NASCAR or living somewhere working in the sports media field. At least one of those things I have accomplished. Now, I'm lucky if I even know what I'm going to be doing tomorrow.

Back in February 2011 when my life changed very rapidly I still had an idea of what I thought the next five years were going to be like and instead of being specific, I have a broad list of things I want to have accomplished. First, receive my master's degree which should be completed by 2013. Second, upon receiving this degree moving to a major city either Philadelphia or New York City. Somewhere I can finally be on my own for good and not know too many people just enough to get me by. I'm pretty flexible on this time frame because I will want to be somewhat financially stable before moving to a large city on my own. Others including being in a happy, healthy relationship and just being happy.

While having a plan or a list of things to accomplish is perfectly fine, the main thing to remember is that life is so unpredictable that these plans can change in a manner of days, hours, even seconds and I have learned to accept this fact. So, have a plan in mind but never expect life to actually turn out that way.