I am a planner.
Why?
Over time, in general, I have found that I can live life with greater pleasure and satisfaction if I plan ahead. This has been true for many, many reasons.
Planning ahead has allowed me to travel to places I might not have otherwise been able to afford--by planning ahead, I can get some good deals which allows me those experiences.
Planning ahead has allowed me to host terrific holiday dinners for many loved ones because I can take it step-by-step by preparing my home, learning to cook the foods, acquiring needed tools to make the holiday a reality.
Planning ahead has allowed me to give gifts I might not otherwise be able to afford by shopping the sales, saving up, and buying the presents.
Planning ahead allowed me to teach well since I could use my time wisely to research, plan, prepare, and teach with strength and depth.
And planning ahead has allowed me to sacrifice in the short term for long term gain. For example, if I know I have a trip planned, I might spend and do with less in the short term to be able to afford a nice meal or experience when I travel.
So, in general, planning ahead has served me well in life.
Yet, for some, when I speak of plans ahead they get frustrated because I may thwart their plans, discuss an issue or event before they are ready to think about it, or take the lead in an area where they want to lead.
This has happened with supervisors before. When I've mentioned a plan that I have for a curriculum event well ahead of the event, I may usurp their authority or schedule before they've made time to think about it. They have been frustrated by what seems like an effort to overtake their role. The same can be true of family members. For example, if they want to plan or manage an event and I mention it before they are ready to discuss it, they may become frustrated too.
I've learned that when people try to include me in the planning before I'm ready to simply say, I'm not ready to think about that yet, can I get back to you. That plan usually works well.
When you're a planner like me, you may miss out on the pleasure that serendipity and surprise bring. You may miss some enjoyable moments in the present because you are focused on the future. As with all things in life, there's a healthy balance between spontaniety and planning, and that balance will look different depending on who you are and how you live.
Planners do have to be cautious about sharing their plans too often with those who are frustrated by long-term planning. It's best to simply keep the plans to yourself in that regard, but with other planners, there's full acceptance of your will to plan--they love this kind of long term activity.
Are you a planner?
If so, why? If not, why?
What's your spontaniety vs planning balance?
I'm curious.