It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time

It is a mistake to try to look too far ahead. The chain of destiny can only be grasped one link at a time. – Winston Churchill

While the playground chains are solidly anchored and straight, in real life, the chain of destiny is more like a spiderweb, and nearly as sticky!

What does that mean?
I have also seen this quote written as “It is a mistake to look too far ahead. Only one link of the chain of destiny can be handled at a time.” Same concept, with just a slight change in the order of the words.

This quote is an interesting paradox. If you don’t have a long range plan, how do you know what direction you’re headed and what the next few steps are? However, fate can be fickle, and change is going to happen to even the best laid plans.

To me this quote is a simple caution about planning too far in advance at too detailed a level. Yes, you need a plan for the future. Just don’t write it down to the last detail. Between now and then, things will change. Sound simple enough?

Why is proper planning important?  
To me, the concept of proper planning involves enough of a long range plan to know where you’re going, but not obsessing with the details past a certain point. Where is that point? Depends on what you’re planning. If it’s a picnic lunch, be careful of the weather. Even planning a few days out could be too far (be sure to have a plan B, in case it rains).

Proper planning will give you a goal and an approach, but both will need to be flexible. It will include a series of steps designed to get you from where you are to where you want to be. The first step or two may include some details, but after that, the plan should be as flexible as possible. At least that’s how I do it.

Where can I apply this in my life?
While we recognise that plans need to be flexible due to the inevitable changes of life, we still need to make plans. Part of the flexibility is in the level of detail. If you don’t know who’s going to show up at an event six months from now, don’t assign specific people to specific jobs. Just make a list of jobs and responsibilities and fill the details in when you get closer, right?

For example, my project car has a fairly complete list of things that need to be done before it’s road worthy again. Some parts of that list are very specific, even though they are far away on the timeline. I don’t know who will do the work or what parts I will use, but know that I need to rebuild the rear axle and the brakes.

The plan is sufficiently specific to move me forward, but the details are deferred until later. Some alternatives are on a list, including different gear ratios, the possibility of upgrading to disc brakes and a limited slip differential of some sort. What I do will depend on what I am able to do myself, and what I’ll have to hire out, as well as how much money I’m willing to spend. How is that for an example?

With the new year fast approaching, I thought it might be worth looking forward a bit and getting an idea of what you want to accomplish in the new year. For the moment, don’t put too much thought into it, as this is just going to be a dry run, OK?

Grab some paper and select a portion of your life you want to work on in the coming year. As an example, I want to lose about 15 pounds of fat and gain the same weight in muscle (for a net of no weight change). What is your goal for the next twelve months? This is only a trial run, so just write something down.

Now, let’s break it down into chunks. For me, the change I want to make will require more exercise and less eating. I know I’ll have to cut back on snacks. I don’t know how much snacking I can still do and make my goal, so that level of detail will be determined by feedback as I go.

I also know that 15 pounds in 12 months works out to a little over a quarter pound a week. That doesn’t sound too difficult, does it? What about you? How well does your plan break into steps? What are you going to need to do?

For me, the first step is to get a regular eating schedule, and replace junk food snacks with something more nutritious. I’m also going to have to figure out what I’m going to do for exercise. There are two easily determined tasks I can start on right away. How about you? How is the first step in your plan looking?

I have found it helps to have a compelling reason to reach your goal, something that will motivate you when it doesn’t really seem worth it. For me, the reason is to keep myself healthy. What is your reason?

Now that you have a feel for how it’s done, take a moment and figure out what you want to do in the coming year. Perhaps it’s several somethings. Go through the steps again and figure out the big steps, then put some details into the first step or two.

Once that is done, all that is left is to take the first step. I’m not sure what you’re going to do as your first step, but I’m going to figure out my first set of exercises. Then I’ll finish the blog and post it. Take action now or it’s just a wishful thought.

From: Twitter, @_Alexandra_Jaye
confirmed at : http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/winstonchu138575.html
Photo by Marcel Oosterwijk